OCD Straight Talk

Chris sits down with Lindsay and Emily Stetzer from Presently to discuss managing OCD, ajd growing a business while doing it.

Chris describes three interdependent ideas that make up good therapy for OCD.

Chris discusses the idea of ChatGPT's understanding of the evidence-based treatment for OCD, complete with its ability to generate treatment plans and hierarchies. AI is getting woven into the fabric of life and society. How long will it be before we decide that AI can teach patients the clinical skills needed to effectively manage their anxiety better than therapists can?

Chris spitballs about the ongoing problem, albeit now much smaller problem comparative to 10 years ago: that many patients consume services from the local counseling center, just to linger in treatment for 12 to 24 months and make minimal progress. That's disempowering and discouraging to patients - not to mention expensive. Should the graduate training process include enterence into a subspecialty? In other words, should therapists, like physicians, be trained and licensed not merely at mental health professionals, but more specifically as a particular sort of specialist within the broader field?

Chris shares a childhood story that made him feel vulnerable and scared. Beating OCD is about recognizing that you have a tremendous advantage. Your OCD needs you to respond. It, in fact, is weak and vulnerable without you giving it compulsions.

Chris shares a bit about his journey with training Jiu Jitsu and being really bad at it. But growth truly started when he relieved himself of the expectation that he would be good at it and embraced by a perpetual novice.

Chris discusses his past, present and future. And he looks toward the coming year with an eye on living his life on purpose.

Chris discusses a case.

Chris describes OCD as a stray dog and you as a caring citizen. You're a good dude, and so you offee the poor dog some food. and that's nice of you. But what's the stray dog going to do when it's been offered a nice plate of food? Come back again? Move in? There are tough emotions felt perhaps in turning the helpless dog away. But the alternative is to ensure that s/he comes back again and again to exploit your kindness. Don't feed the dog.