To wrap up this month's focus on relationships and OCD, I dive deep into how OCD and anxiety can show up in platonic relationships.

In this solo episode, I talk about common friendship-based compulsions (including reassurance seeking, mental reviewing, confessing, avoidance), the fear of being seen as "too much," recognizing patterns of rumination, and practicing self-compassion instead of self-shame.

As a reminder (as with every episode this month), you are deserving of friendship, connection, and community. 

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
EMAIL: [email protected]

Whether it's a partner, family member, or close friend, loving someone with OCD can feel confusing at times, especially when you want to be supportive but aren't sure how to respond to intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or repeated reassurance-seeking. 

In this solo episode, I talk more about how OCD can show up in relationships, the difference between validating feelings and reinforcing compulsions, why reassurance can keep the cycle going, what supportive language can look like, and how to stay compassionate without becoming a part of the OCD loop. Also, I touch on the importance of self-care for those supporting loved ones with OCD. Your mental wellbeing and your needs matter too. 

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
EMAIL: [email protected]

To continue the theme of ROCD this month...in this episode, I talk generally about anxiety and OCD-related thoughts and behaviors in relationships. I lean into the importance of integrating self-compassion for yourself as you may experience these thoughts. I also share your responses from Instagram stories (anonymously, of course) to remind you that you're not alone.

I also share some personal examples and experiences related to ROCD and how real these thoughts can feel, and how our bodies can respond as if it's a real threat, even when it's a false alarm. In addition, I discuss the stress that comes with doubt and not having a set answer...and hope to remind you that you are deserving of love and connection, even with these thoughts. 

Especially with Valentine's Day coming up, this is your reminder that it's okay if it feels like any other day, whether you're single or in a relationship. There's no "one right way" to spend the day, even when others on social media say differently. Take extra care of yourself <3 

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
EMAIL: [email protected]

Valentine's Day is like the Super Bowl for Relationship OCD. It's the perfect opportunity for thoughts to creep in. There's pressure, comparison, thoughts that may feel louder.

In this solo episode, I talk about how Valentine's Day, especially social media posts, can amplify ROCD thoughts, even if you're not in a relationship. I dive deep into the importance of slowing down, self-compassion, and noticing thoughts without needing to assign meaning or turn them into answers. 

If this time of year and "big" days (birthdays, anniversaries, engagement, moving in together) make your thoughts feel louder, you're not alone. 

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
EMAIL: [email protected]

In this solo episode, I acknowledge how oppression and the systems we live in inherently impact mental health and one's sense of safety (if not directly), from what's happening in the US to the experiences of those living under oppression. 

I hold space for all the emotions that come from witnessing harm caused by systems of power, including ICE and the US government, to those fighting for freedom in Iran, for those trying to simply survive in Gaza, and more.

I get into what it can look like to experience OCD thoughts around morality, and the black-and-white thinking that can keep us stuck in our thoughts, rather than taking action and showing up with community.

Throughout the episode, I identify moral OCD-related thoughts that show up in real time, and what it looks like to simply notice and name them without proving, engaging, or trying to analyze them. 

OCD thrives on extremes and our thoughts can convince us we're not doing "enough." I share how showing up, in incremental ways, can make a difference rather than feeling stuck in the thoughts and loneliness. I also share how my recent birthday and celebrating brought us similar feelings, including guilt, confusion, and all-or-nothing.

While I share my personal process in this episode, this episode is hopefully a reminder that you are allowed to feel guilt, confusion, anxiety, joy, all the feelings without shame or judgment. We can continue to show up, lean into this work, take action AND check in with our nervous system and honor what our bodies need. 

*As always, relating to this episode does not necessarily mean you live with OCD. I'm simply sharing how OCD shows up in this experience for me.

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
EMAIL: [email protected] 

Alex Thomson (APC) is a therapist in Atlanta, Georgia. He specializes in OCD and anxiety. In his free time, he enjoys birding, cooking, and contributing to the @talktherapywithalex Instagram page, where he enjoys blending levity and humor with educational content. 

In this episode, we both share our personal experiences toward becoming therapists, and normalize that there's no one path when it comes to entering the field or showing up online. 

We discuss the pressures of showing up as a therapist in "one" way - confident, "healed," put-together, etc. We also explore what it can look like to show up authentically (and how that looks different for everyone), how showing up imperfectly can create deeper connection, and the complexity of holding space for vulnerability while being ethical and thoughtful of the client's experience.

FOLLOW ALEX:

INSTA: @talktherapywithalex
WEBSITE: www.talktherapywithalex.com

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
THREADS: @trustandthrive
FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont
EMAIL: [email protected]

Kaylee Bullen is a licensed therapist specialized in treating high anxiety and OCD, including postpartum OCD. Her practice services clients virtually across California, Michigan, and Louisiana. In addition to therapy, she also creates educational and relatable therapy content on social media to help normalize the mental health experience.

In this episode, we dive deep into postpartum OCD. We explore what it actually is, common misconceptions, and why so many parents may isolate and experience shame around these thoughts.

We go over examples of what intrusive thoughts may sound like related to the postpartum period, guilt and shame that may follow, and how the fear of being judged or misunderstood keeps many people from reaching out for help.

Whether or not you resonate with this specific theme, we hope you know you are not alone in your thoughts. Your thoughts do not reflect who you are and what you value. 

FOLLOW KAYLEE:

INSTA: @kayleebullentherapy
TIKOK: @kayleebullen
WEBSITE: www.thehumancollectivetherapy.com

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
THREADS: @trustandthrive
FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont
EMAIL: [email protected]

And we're back! The new year can definitely bring up a lot of pressure and expectations, including feeling the need to set resolutions and figure everything out right away. In this episode, I share how I've been working on slowing down instead. Taking things day by day. Not living by my internal sense of urgency.

I also reflect on what it's been like to notice louder thoughts and anxiety during the holiday break, the importance of checking in with yourself, and practicing self-compassion in these moments. As always, I hope this episode can remind you you're not alone and give you the permission you were looking for you to take things day to day, to listen to your body, and remind yourself that there's no need to rush into anything.

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
EMAIL: [email protected] 

For those feeling mixed feelings around this time of year, for those feeling heavy and overwhelmed going into the new year, for those feeling the pressure to "do more"...this episode is for you. You made it through this year. Whether it was a wonderful year or a really difficult one where you felt like you were simply surviving, I'm so glad you're here.

In this solo episode, I talk about how anxious and/or intrusive thoughts may intensify around this time of year, as we face constant messages going into the new year to "hustle," change, and be "put together." I share my personal thoughts and experiences with my own mental health, and hope to remind you all that you're not alone...to lean into self-compassion even when your default may be self-criticism.

Whatever your holiday season looks like, I hope you take care of you.

As a reminder, we'll be taking a break from the podcast for the rest of the year/holiday season and will return the first full week of January. See you all next year :)

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
EMAIL: [email protected] 

In this solo episode, I share my personal journey of becoming a therapist and a bit of background on what inspired me to go to grad school. I also share what the experience has been like while living with OCD and my own mental health struggles. I also share how I was originally diagnosed with generalized anxiety before understanding my OCD, and what it was like navigating grad school, practicum, and post-grad life with my own anxious and intrusive thoughts.

I normalize being human in the space with clients and share how, while OCD has been incredibly challenging and does not define me, it also makes me the therapist I am in many ways. I reflect on the importance of showing up with tools AND humanity, not underestimating your ability to show up for clients as another human navigating the complexity of life. I also share some advice on what I've learned (even as an intern and associate these last few years) and hopes for when I'm licensed.

If you’re a therapist, trainee, or someone considering entering the field while managing your own mental health, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone and to not let them stop you from showing up. Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and anxiety are all normal parts of becoming a therapist, and are not signs that you shouldn't be doing this work.

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
EMAIL: [email protected]