The OCD Stories

In episode 532 I chat with Dr Sorcha O'Connor. Sorcha is a neuroscientist and PhD graduate from Imperial College London, where she led the PsilOCD study investigating low-dose psilocybin for OCD. We discuss Sorcha's background that led her to this work, what is psilocybin, the background to the study, what the actual study looked like for participants, the outcomes of the study, what's happening in the brain during a dose of psilocybin, future studies, how psychedelics may improve learning, integration sessions with a therapist, what people with OCD can take from this study, limitations of the study, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/sorcha-532 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

In episode 531 I chat with Alex who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss his OCD story, suicidal themed OCD, inference-based cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT), worries of harming others, existential themed OCD, how his wife helped, meditation, low self worth, understanding the past, peadophile themed OCD, health anxiety, self compassion, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/alex-531 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

A personal story about intense relationship, harm, and contamination obsessions. She recalls hiding symptoms, escalating compulsions, and giving up cooking and other activities. Partner support, finding the OCD community, and starting exposure-focused online therapy are discussed. The role of medication in reducing mental noise and rebuilding everyday life through repeated exposures is highlighted.

In episode 529 I chatted with Jonathan Hoffman. Jon is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology. He co-founded the NBI Ranch and the Neurobehavioral Institute (NBI), where he was Chief Clinical Officer, exiting these roles at the end of 2025 after many years of practice. We discuss an update on Jon, what are mental rituals/compulsions, the history of mental rituals/compulsions, are mental rituals/compulsions behaviours, we debate what is good science, how do we study mental rituals/compulsions, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jon-529 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

In episode 528 I chat with Jeff Bell, a past guest of the podcast. Jeff is a long time OCD advocate and is the author of "When in doubt, make belief" and "rewind, replay, repeat". Jeff co-founded adversity to advocacy. We get a recap of his OCD story, the idea of greater good motivation, lessons OCD has taught him that helps him deal with other conditions such as his Parkinson's disease diagnosis, we discuss stoicism, advocacy and service, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/jeff-528 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

Ethan Tuccienza, LCSW and clinical director known for DBT and ERP work, discusses exposure to emotions and how DBT plus emotional exposure creates lasting change. He explores shame, guilt, helplessness and using body-based skills like willing hands. Conversations cover trauma-informed exposure, staying present during dissociation, and weaving vulnerability into values-driven life.

In episode 526 I chat with Mike who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. We discuss sexual orientation themed OCD, existential themed OCD, somatic themed OCD, harm themed OCD, compulsing around the recovery process, getting therapy, working with Dr Steven Phillipson and Dr Michael Alcee, words of hope and much more. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/mike-526 (Episode includes explicit language) The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

In episode 525 I chat with Charlotte who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her story, worrying she was pregnant as a kid, realising it's OCD, experiencing theme switches, harm themed OCD, mental health health anxiety, suicidal themed OCD, getting therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance, her joy journal, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/charlotte-525 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

In episode 524 I chat with Ray Kolke. Ray is a licensed mental health counsellor (LMHC) who works with people affected by OCD and anxiety. We discuss his therapist background, why he doesn't ask his clients how they are feeling at the start of the session, he discusses not focusing on feelings in more detail, rumination, his tool of rumination by the numbers (RBTN), he breaks down this tool, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ray-524 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter

In episode 523 I chat with Angie who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss health anxiety, contamination themed OCD, and suicidal themed OCD. Doubting whether it's OCD or not, compulsions, uncertainty, getting therapy including exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), relationships, exercise, having a dog in relation to OCD, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/angie-523 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter