In episode 257 I chat with Stefan Batorijs. Stefan is an Integrative Psychotherapist and founder of Nature and therapy UK. He is an associate Lecturer at Plymouth University, where he teaches the role of Nature and benefits of natural immersion for mental health and recovery from trauma on the clinical psychology doctorate programme.

In this episode I chat with Stefan about why he became a therapist specifically doing ecotherapy, his relationship with nature, what is Shinrin Yoku, the benefits of being in nature and practicing Shinrin Yoku, Stefan shares some examples of working therapeutically with individuals in nature, why Shinrin Yoku and ecotherapy can be deep serious work, being prepared when going out in nature, appreciating nature close to home, start small and build up, anxiety and the woods, nature as a restorative environment, advice for people in cities, what Stefan wants you to know about nature, and much much more. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stefan-batorijs-shinrin-yokuand-ecotherapy-257

In episode 256 I chat with Dr Sam Greenblatt. Sam specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD and other anxiety disorders. Sam works at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

In this episode I chat with Sam about what got him into therapy, why some other therapies may not work for OCD, fully embracing the uncertainty of Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), the importance of not white knuckling through exposures, inhibitory learning theory to explain how ERP works, why anxiety doesn’t always need to go down to see improvements in ERP, the back door spike, treat the problem not the symptoms, being mindful of the wording we use in therapy, and much much more. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-sam-greenblatt-frequent-reasons-therapy-doesnt-work-and-how-to-improve-it-256

In episode 255 I chat with Dr Patricia Zurita Ona. Patricia is director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center and host of the Playing It Safe podcast. She is the author of several books including “The ACT Workbook for Teens with OCD” and her new book “Living Beyond OCD Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Workbook for Adults”. 

In this episode I chat with Patricia about what is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), what is Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), facing ones fears in service of what matters to them, blending ACT and ERP, her acronym W.I.S.E. M.O.V.E.S. and how she uses it with her clients, misconceptions about ACT, a values based exposure menu, inhibitory learning theory as a way to understand how ERP works, she gives plenty of OCD theme examples, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-patricia-zurita-ona-wise-moves-in-act-based-erp

In this special 5-year anniversary episode I share my thoughts on the evolution of the podcast, my own journey with the show, my wish for you the listener, future direction of the show, and of course a thanks to you for listening to the podcast.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/5-years

Thanks for listening,

Stu

In episode 254 I chat with Stephen Johns who has kindly agreed to share his story with us.

In this episode I chat with Stephen about his story: violent, sexual orientation and self harm/suicidal intrusive thoughts, getting ineffective treatment, eventually finding a therapist that helped, working hard in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), he goes into details into the lengths he went with his compulsions, his medications, how the suicide of one of his favourite musicians triggered a relapse for him, how perfectionism impacted his therapy, how the experience of OCD taught him to slow down in his life, words of hope and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-stephen-johns-254

In episode 253 I chat with Dr Steven Phillipson. Steven is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD. Steven is the Clinical Director at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in New York.

In this episode I chat with Steven about when other people are the focus of one’s obsessions, he sets up the episode by explaining his view of OCD for context, Dr Phillipson gives a lot of different therapy examples across many themes, how people’s OCD themes involve others, advice and words of hope for the partners and family members who may be the recipient of one’s obsessions, some of the compulsions that may be paired with these obsessional themes, misophonia, I ask him 3 questions about himself and his therapy practice at the end and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-steven-phillipson-when-ocd-involves-others-253

In episode 252 I chat with Dr Michael Greenberg. Michael is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

In this episode I chat with Michael about his OCD journey, the line between obsession and compulsion, what is rumination, why rumination is a compulsion, advice on stopping rumination, the idea of a core fear in OCD, the importance of understanding the core fear, how understanding the idea that OCD is a strategy to keep you safe allows you to start to let it go, how rumination may be the core of OCD, the idea of letting go of rumination when scared, how to stop ruminating about ruminating, the issues that may get in the way of stopping rumination, why it matters how we talk about OCD, words of hope and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-michael-greenberg-rumination-is-a-compulsion-252

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

In episode 251 I chat with Ashley Annestedt. Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in OCD, Anxiety, and Neurobehavioral Disorders. Ashley is licensed to provide therapy in 6 US states, and the founder of Beyond Borders CBT.

In this episode I chat with Ashley about what’s new with her, teletherapy, when teletherapy may be useful, how it can help people do exposures where they are triggered, tips for getting the most out of teletherapy, when teletherapy may not be right, using the interactive features of video therapy platforms, tips for therapists transitioning to teletherapy, what to prepare before your first teletherapy session so that is runs smoothly, words of hope, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ashley-annestedt-teletherapy-for-ocd-251

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

In episode 250 I chat with Justin Hughes. Justin is a licensed professional counsellor in Dallas, Texas who specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

In this episode I chat with Justin about his therapy story, how faith/spirituality and therapy can work together, when OCD shakes someone’s faith, Christian scriptures around fear, worry and uncertainty, working with shame from the taboo nature of intrusive thoughts, living with uncertainty, words of hope, and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/justin-hughes-faith-spirituality-religion-ocd-therapy-250

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

In episode 249 I chat with Dr Ivy Ruths. Ivy is a licensed psychologist and licensed specialist in school psychology specializing in treating anxiety, depressive, and OCD-related disorders.

In this episode I chat with Ivy about why she got into working with people with OCD, living by ones values, the therapeutic relationship, Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP), the importance of doing therapy homework, living with uncertainty, motivation in therapy, words of hope and much much more.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/dr-ivy-ruths-therapy-for-ocd-249

The podcast is sponsored by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories