You're Not Alone | OCD Help

Kirsten Pagacz is an author and business owner of Retro-A-Go-Go, an online seller of retro kitsch. After having a traumatic childhood, family members with anxiety disorders, and suffering from OCD for almost 20 years, she realized that she could name her OCD, subsequently letting her tame it. In her book Leaving the OCD Circus, she reveals how OCD had shaped her life at a young age and how she took it into adulthood and eventually healed from it.   

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ Kirsten's childhood with OCD ◾️ Her learnings from her recovery journey ◾️ Personal tips from Kirsten when tackling OCD

Find Kirsten here:   [email protected]

Support Ukrainian doctors saving lives of soldiers:

leleka.care

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Hanna is a registered Social Worker whose areas of specialization include clinical counselling with individuals, families, and groups. She obtained her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Calgary and has worked in an addiction treatment facility and immigrant serving agency providing psychotherapy services. Hanna's experiences include working with people who struggle with anxiety, depression and other psychochological forms of trauma. She has a particular interest in mindfulness wellness strategies as well as the process of recovery from chemical and behavioural addictions. Hanna primarily uses CBT in her treatment for patients all while incorporating aspects of other evidence-based therapies like Emotionally Focused Therapy and Dialectial Behavior Therapy when appropriate. She believes in taking a compassionate and non-judgemental approach in guiding her patients out of their traumas. 

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ The war in Ukraine and its impacton mental health ◾️ Guilt, responsibility, and e ncouraging self-compassion ◾️ Having happiness and joy and owning it

Find Hanna here:   [email protected]

Support Ukrainian doctors saving lives of soldiers:

leleka.care

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Shauna Pichette is the Clinical Training Team Lead of NOCD. She is a licensed therapist who has a variety of experiences with different groups and specialties across different states. Her main treatment approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure Response Therapy (ERP), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). With an extensive background in treating patients with anxiety, OCD, depression, and other mental illnesses, Shauna chooses to approach her patients very warmly and candidly. In the midst of all the clinical terms, she still wants her patients to feel welcome and never ashamed of their experiences.

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ Cultivating compassion ◾️ Understanding intrusive thoughts ◾️ What you should aim for when treating your OCD

Find Shauna here:   [email protected] @thattherapistshauna

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Jason Elias and Adam Reid are co-founders and partners of CBTeam, a Behavioral Health Clinic in Lexington where specialists guide their patients in overcoming OCD & anxiety. The team is made up of Behavioral Coaches who specialize in Exposure Therapy to help clients implement evidence-based treatment plans such as CBT, ACT, and ERP in their daily lives.

Jason Elias is the founder, director, and Head of Adult Psychological Services of CBTeam. He has an extensive background in clinical psychology which he now utilizes compassionately and creatively in delivering evidence-based treatments for anxiety. 

Adam Reid is a partner & Head of Child and Adolescent Psychological Services at CBTeam. Also having earned multiple degrees in his years of studying & researching on mental wellness, he now works mainly in OCD-specific training for children and adolescent patients struggling with confidence, bravery, and social acceptance.

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ Jason & Adam's personal backgrounds and what brought them to the OCD & Anxiety field ◾️ An in-depth look at evidence-based treatments in mental health ◾️ Understanding anxiety & OCD

Find Jason & Adam here:   CBTeam.org

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Dr. Steven Hayes is a professor of Psychology at the University of Nevada and President of the Institute for Better Health, an organization dedicated to better mental and behavioral health. Much of his work in the mental health field revolves around his research in showing the validity of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as therapy for OCD. Apart from his work as a therapist, he has written 47 books and nearly 700 scientific articles published and continues to write blog articles in his website. He has also appeared on TEDx and several other publications to share his knowledge and accomplishments in the field.

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ Steven's own experience struggling with mental health and how it fueled his research and career ◾️ Understanding ACT and how it differs from other methods of therapy ◾️ The Psychological Flexibility and its use in research and therapy

Find Steven here:   stevenchayes.com

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Dr. Patrick McGrath is the Chief Clinical Officer at NOCD, where he oversees the OCD specialists as well as the clinical protocols of the company. He is also a Lead Psychologist at Ascension Illinois Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, where he also treats OCD and anxiety disorders. Beyond OCD and anxiety, he works with a variety of medical and mental concerns such as school refusal, perinatal issues,trauma, and co-occuring substance use. Apart from having worked in the medical field for 24 years, he is also an author, having written the books "Don't Try Harder, Try Different," and "The OCD Answer Book." 

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ An overview of the psychiatric industry and where it is today ◾️ Dr. McGrath's experience in treating OCD and anxiety disorders ◾️ Key indicators of a successful recovery from OCD

Find Patrick here:   [email protected] nocd.com

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Dr. Ashley Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist, co-founder of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength, and a self-proclaimed happiness quester. Since earning her PhD in 2007, she has become a sought-after specialist in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In addition to direct patient care, Dr. Ashley has published a book, articles, and a weekly blog. She regularly provides keynotes, workshops, and trainings for a variety of audiences and is involved in public outreach through the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Dr. Ashley is also open about living - and learning to thrive - with a rare visual impairment. The combination of her professional expertise and personal experiences put her in a unique position to educate and inspire. She is passionate about helping others live bold, happy lives through the use of psychology and applied neuroscience, and her ultimate goal is to change the way people think.

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ Uncertainty, adversity, and knowing limitations when dealing with mental illness ◾️ Dr. Ashley's personal experience with mental illness ◾️ Dr. Ashley's approach in treating individual patients

Find Ashley here:   drashleysmith.com

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Ilyas Patanam is the Chief Growth Officer of NOCD, a group of like-minded individuals working together to help millions of people around the world with OCD regain their lives. NOCD's mission is to help people with OCD alleviate their struggles through better awareness and treatment. Ilyas' role in NOCD is centered on increasing awareness in OCD, while also working to destigmatize it. From there, his role switches to ensuring that they understand what effective treatment looks like and finding ways to make it accessible for all types of patients.

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ Discovery and awareness of OCD ◾️ The first steps in getting OCD treated ◾️ The long term recovery and management of having OCD and how NOCD can help achieve this

Find Ilyas here:   treatmyocd.com

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Eric Kupers is the co-director of Dandelion Dancetheater and an Associate Professor of Dance at Cal State University East Bay. As an instructor of inclusive performance, he experiments vigorously all year-round with any kind of performances -- from dance, music, theater, spiritual practice, and social activism -- for people with and without disabilities and of diverse body identities and artistic backgrounds. He has struggled with OCD since he was a child but had only found out about CBT and ERP in his early 30's. His struggles lead him to sharing his story and wanting to help those who suffered the same and had no direction in their healing. His art is a testament to his advocacy of not letting anyone who suffers their silent battles feel alone, which is why the radical inclusion of all kinds of people is the basis of his curriculum.

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ Eric's personal background with his mental health ◾️ Spirituality and applying it to managing mental health ◾️ CBT, ERP, and performance and art in Eric's struggle with OCD

Find Eric here: 

dandeliondancetheater.org [email protected]

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.

Kristen is a psychotherapist who has been working in the industry for 15 years. She is also a survivor of perfectionism and anxiety, which later on developed into OCD and BDD. This fueled her passion of helping people who suffer the same things to a path of recovery, using her own experiences as a guide. In her practice, Kristen integrates a humanistic approach, integrating it into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Self-compassion Focused Therapy when treating her patients.

In this episode we talk about: 

◾️ Personal experiences that triggered her OCD ◾️ ERP, ACT, and CFT in OCD treatment ◾️ Kristen's personal struggles with mental health and how she deals with it today

Find Kristen here: 

kristenbaileycounselling.com

Find Zach here :

zachwesterbeck.com

@zach_westerbeck

This podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, affordable, and convenient OCD therapy. NOCD therapists are trained in Exposure Response Prevention, or ERP, therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. With NOCD, you can do virtual, live face-to-face video sessions with one of their licensed, specialty-trained therapists, and they accept most major insurance plans. If your insurance isn't covered, mention discount code ZACH100 for a special $100 rate for the next two months. To find out more about NOCD, visit zachwesterbeck.com/virtual-ocd-therapy/ to book a free 15-minute call.

Zach Westerbeck is not a licensed medical professional. Zach Westerbeck is not trained in diagnosing psychological or medical conditions. Zach Westerbeck is not a substitute for medical care or medical advice. If you require assistance with any mental health or medical issue, please contact your health care provider for any medical care or medical advice. Zach Westerbeck makes no guarantees of any kind that the information or services provided by Zach Westerbeck will improve the client’s situation. This podcast should not be considered medical advice. Please seek professional assistance from a licensed professional.