Manifesting. Cleanses. The Law of Attraction. Jaclyn Steinmann tried it all, believing that if she could just control her thoughts — keep them positive and “high vibration” — she could finally quiet the chaos in her mind. But the more she chased perfect thinking, the worse her OCD got.

In this interview, Jaclyn shares how popular self-help and spiritual practices didn’t just fail to help — they fed her OCD. Real change didn’t begin until she let go of those ideas and started evidence-based treatment like ERP. This is her journey, and what she’s learned through trial, error, and research.

If you feel you’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked, you’re not alone. Like Jaclyn, many people with OCD don’t see real progress until they start evidence-based treatment. At NOCD, our therapists specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention, the gold standard for OCD care. To learn more, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/YT

Resources Jaclyn mentioned on the episode:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S187620182400248X

https://michaelshermer.com/sciam-columns/quantum-quackery/

https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Positivity-Keeping-World-Obsessed-ebook/dp/B094VCFSZW?dplnkId=13f82e2f-da33-4ef5-9199-bdc566458a38&nodl=1

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09505431.2013.768222?scroll=top&needAccess=true

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever find yourself re-checking, redoing, or repeating things until they feel just right — but they never actually do? You're not alone. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath breaks down the “just right” subtype of OCD: why it’s so exhausting, how it traps you in endless loops, and what it takes to break free.

If you’re stuck in the cycle of doing things over and over until they feel “just right,” you’re not alone — and you don’t have to stay trapped there. Our NOCD therapists specialize in treating OCD with ERP, the most effective therapy for breaking these exhausting loops. To get started, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/YT.

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paige Pradko looked like she had it all together — working a corporate gig in Chicago, high-achieving, and smiling through the stress. However, she was secretly battling relentless anxiety. It all came crashing down during a panic attack that sent her to the ER — the moment everything unraveled, and finally, started to make sense.

In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Paige shares how that crisis led to a diagnosis, a career change, and a mission to help others feel seen and supported. Now a therapist and YouTube creator reaching millions, she opens up about her journey, what real recovery looks like, and why no one should have to suffer in silence.

0:00 Intro

2:16 Meet Paige

6:22 Why Paige began creating content online despite personal hesitation

11:01 Hearing from her audience keeps Paige motivated

14:08 Somatic awareness OCD explained

16:10 Health anxiety OCD explained

20:02 Why Paige’s videos resonate

22:11 Motivating others to face their fears when seeking treatment

23:53 The current state of mental healthcare

30:41 Paige’s big message about mental health

33:42 A responsibility to evidence-based information

37:11 Paige’s mom is an artist

37:53 Feel alone? Listen to Paige’s advice

41:21 Outro

If you’ve been silently struggling with anxiety or OCD, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Our NOCD therapists are specially trained in ERP, the most effective treatment for OCD. To book a free 15-minute call, visit us at https://learn.nocd.com/YT

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, Tracie Ibrahim treated OCD professionally — but even she was stunned by how often groinal response came up in sessions. Not just with one theme, but across the board: harm OCD, sexual orientation OCD, taboo thoughts. And every time, it came with the same crushing question from clients — “Does this mean I want it?”

In this episode, Tracie unpacks the mind-body disconnect at the heart of these fears. She shares the science behind arousal non-concordance, why physical reactions don’t equal desire, and how OCD twists basic human sensations into something terrifying. It’s a topic most people avoid — but one that desperately needs to be understood.

If you're struggling with OCD, our NOCD therapists might be able to help. They are specially trained in ERP therapy — the most effective treatment against OCD. To learn about treatment options, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/YT

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Hershfield is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in the treatment of OCD. In this episode, he joins Dr. Patrick McGrath to discuss his experiences as a clinician, his work as an author, and the importance of mindfulness in helping people manage their lives.

If you're struggling with OCD, our NOCD therapists might be able to help. They are specially trained in ERP therapy — the most effective treatment against OCD. To learn about treatment options, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/YT

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alix Behar remembers the day everything almost collapsed. OCD had taken over her relationship, flooding her with intrusive thoughts, compulsive confessions, and endless reassurance-seeking. One morning, a single text nearly ended it all — her boyfriend said he couldn’t take it anymore. It felt like OCD was winning, again. But that breaking point became the start of something new. In this powerful story, Alix shares how Exposure and Response Prevention therapy helped her take her life back — and saved her relationship.

Struggling with OCD? NOCD therapists are specialized to treat OCD themes of all kinds. To book a free 15-minute call, visit us at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margaret Sisson knew something was wrong when her son Riley came home from camp in a panic she'd never seen before. He started throwing up every morning before school. He checked doorknobs until they broke. She went from expert to expert, trusting professionals who missed the signs. Years passed. The OCD got worse. And when Riley discovered that drinking made the thoughts stop, a second struggle began — one Margaret could see, but never quite reach in time.

This is Margaret’s story — not just of raising a son with OCD and substance use, but of living through every parent’s worst fear. After Riley’s death from an accidental overdose, she had a choice: disappear into grief or turn it into something greater. She chose the latter, and founded Riley’s Wish to help other families avoid the pain she went through. 

If you're struggling with OCD, our NOCD therapists might be able to help. They are specially trained in ERP therapy — the most effective treatment against OCD. To learn about treatment options, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tracie Ibrahim knows firsthand how OCD can quietly wreck a person’s day. In college, reading meant going forward, then backward, then forward again — just to feel “right.” As a mom, grocery trips were derailed by terrifying, intrusive thoughts. At work, simple emails turned into obsessive loops of rewriting and rereading. In this video, she shares what untreated OCD did to her focus, her routines, and her sense of control — and how Exposure and Response Prevention therapy helped her reclaim her time.

If you're struggling with OCD, our NOCD therapists might be able to help. They are specially trained in ERP therapy — the most effective treatment against OCD. To learn about treatment options, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaclyn Steinmann spent decades chasing purity, clarity, and healing through retreats, cleanses, and spiritual rituals. But underneath it all was OCD — cleverly disguised as a spiritual quest. What she thought was a journey toward enlightenment was actually a series of compulsions driven by fear, doubt, and the desperate need for certainty. It took years before she realized that the path she was on wasn’t leading her to peace — it was keeping her stuck.

In this conversation, Jaclyn opens up about how OCD hijacked her beliefs, her body, and her sense of meaning. She shares how learning to embrace uncertainty — instead of trying to outsmart it — became the key to real recovery. Today, she's not only free from OCD's grip, but helping others do the same as a therapist.

If you're struggling with OCD, our NOCD therapists might be able to help. They are specially trained in ERP therapy — the most effective treatment against OCD. To learn about treatment options, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OCD is one of the most misrepresented conditions in mental health. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath breaks down how everyday language, media portrayals, and even well-meaning comments create confusion and minimize the reality of what people with OCD actually go through. This isn’t about nitpicking — it’s about the real harm that comes from myths that are spread in mass.

Need help treating OCD? Our specially-trained therapists can help. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to book a free 15-minute consultation and explore options most suited for you. 

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.