The OCD Whisperer Podcast with Kristina Orlova

173. How long does OCD RECOVERY take? The 4 to 8 month roadmap EXPLAINED!

Is Perfectionism Hijacking Your Values? 🧠
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Marisa Mazza, PsyD. Together, they explore the final pieces of the ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) puzzle: values and committed action, and how to integrate these tools into a long-term recovery journey.
 
Dr. Mazza opens up about:
• The critical difference between "Values" (directions) and "Goals" (destinations)
• How perfectionism can turn your guiding principles into rigid, impossible rules
• The "60–70% Rule"—why aiming for "good enough" is the secret to avoiding burnout
• A breakdown of the 6 core processes of ACT: Presence, Values, Committed Action, Self-as-Context, Defusion, and Willingness
 
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers a clear, compassionate roadmap for moving away from a life ruled by fear and toward a life led by what truly matters to you.
 
📲 About Marisa Mazza (guest):
• PsyD, a faculty member of the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, author of The ACT Workbook for OCD
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmazza/
• Web Page: https://www.choicetherapy.net/team
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – The "Success" Trap: Why your goals might actually be feeding your OCD.
[02:01] – The North Star Method: Values vs. Goals (And why the difference is everything).
[04:29] – The 60% Rule: How "Good Enough" is the ultimate weapon against perfectionism.
[05:55] – The Life Basket Strategy: How to stop OCD from hijacking your entire energy supply.
[09:24] – The "Miracle Morning" Test: A 60-second self-reflection to find your true self.
[11:58] – The "Itty Bitty Step": How to move forward when you feel completely paralyzed.
[14:56] – Courage is Fear Walking: Why you don't need to "feel ready" to start recovery.
[16:54] – The Carrot Technique: Finding the "Big Purpose" that makes the pain of ERP worth it.
[21:07] – Failing with Purpose: Why you need to get "good" at failing to get better.
[24:20] – The Recovery Roadmap: What actually happens inside an ACT therapy session?
[26:40] – Compulsion Math: Why short-term relief is stealing your long-term life
[29:30] – The Real Timeline: How long does it actually take? (4 months vs. 1 year)
[32:27] – The "Slow Food" Movement: Why rushing recovery is the fastest way to stay stuck
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
ACT for OCD Values vs Rules OCD Committed Action therapy OCD recovery roadmap Acceptance and Commitment Therapy tips Perfectionism and OCD Exposure and Response Prevention Dr. Marisa Mazza
 
© OCD Whisperer

172. ACT for OCD: The "Observer Self" Hack to Stop Intrusive Thoughts

How can you stay present when your brain is screaming with OCD? 🧠
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Marisa Mazza, PsyD. Together, they explore the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) concepts of Self-as-Context and Present Moment Awareness—and how to apply them even when anxiety feels overwhelming.
 
Dr. Mazza opens up about:
• Why "being present" feels threatening or impossible when you have OCD
• The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise and how to use tactile sensations to anchor yourself
• The concept of the "Observer Self" (Self-as-Context) and why you are the sky, not the weather
• How to build a tolerance for uncomfortable internal experiences without fighting them
 
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers practical tools, grounding strategies, and a path toward living a full, present life.
 
📲 About Marisa Mazza (guest):
• PsyD, a faculty member of the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, author of The ACT Workbook for OCD
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmazza/
• Web Page: https://www.choicetherapy.net/team
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – The "Being Present" Trap: Why Mindfulness Feels Scary
[02:16] – The Goal of ACT: You Don’t Have to be Perfect
[03:12] – The 5-4-3-2-1 Reset: Grounding Your Physical Body
[03:35] – Tactile vs. Internal: What to do when "Feeling" is Overwhelming
[06:32] – Micro-Mindfulness: Success in Just 30 Seconds
[10:23] – Sky vs. Weather: Why Your Thoughts Aren't "The Truth"
[11:29] – Zooming Out: You Are More Than Your Intrusive Thoughts
[14:52] – The Tennis Match Metaphor: Stop Swinging at Every Thought
[16:32] – Real-Life Application: Staying Present Mid-Trigger
[18:32] – From Fusion to Freedom: Reclaiming Your Power to Choose
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
OCD mindfulness Present moment awareness OCD ACT therapy for OCD Self-as-context explained Dr. Marisa Mazza Grounding techniques for anxiety Intrusive thoughts recovery Observer self mindfulness
 
© OCD Whisperer

171. OCD Recovery: 2 Skills to Stop Fighting Your Mind (OCD Defusion & Acceptance Tools)

Can You Really Accept a Thought You Hate? 🧠
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Marisa Mazza, a psychologist and expert in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). Together, they explore the "how-to" of diffusion and acceptance—the tools that transform your relationship with intrusive thoughts from a battle into a peaceful coexistence.
 
[Dr. Mazza opens up about]:
 • The Thought Machine: Why your brain is hardwired to produce automatic, often negative thoughts, and why you can't just "turn it off"
• The Velcro Effect: Understanding the evolutionary biology behind why negative thoughts stick while positive ones slide away
• Defusion Strategies: Practical ways to "unhook" from obsessions using labels, billboards, and even silly voices like Mickey Mouse
• True Acceptance: Why accepting a thought doesn't mean you like it, want it, or agree with it—it simply means you're willing to have it
 
By the end of this episode, you’ll realize that while you can’t control the "Thought Machine," you can absolutely control how you respond to it.
 
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers tangible strategies and a mindset shift toward psychological flexibility.
 
📲 About Marisa Mazza (guest):
• PsyD, a faculty member of the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, author of The ACT Workbook for OCD
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmazza/
• Web Page: https://www.choicetherapy.net/team
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – The Cure Lie: Why thoughts are 100% automatic
[04:57] – Velcro Brain: Why your mind clings to the negative
[07:31] – The Unhooking Hack: Simple phrases to detach instantly
[08:56] – Mental Billboards: Stripping the power from intrusive thoughts
[12:31] – The OCD Compass: Your fears reveal your deepest values
[16:44] – The Acceptance Trap: Willingness vs. wanting the thought
[21:53] – Brain Labeling: Turning off the internal panic alarm
[26:07] – The 4-Step Script: How to handle a massive spike
[28:45] – Not Your Fault: Reclaiming your life from OCD
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
OCD Recovery Mental Health Podcast Anxiety Relief Overcoming OCD OCD Treatment Psychology Therapy Tips OCD Whisperer
 
© OCD Whisperer

170. Why ERP Isn’t Enough: Using ACT to Build a Life Beyond OCD Symptoms

🧠Is the opposite of anxiety actually trust?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Marisa Mazza, PsyD, a faculty member of the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute and author of The ACT Workbook for OCD. Together, they explore Psychological Flexibility—the core of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—and how it integrates with ERP to help you live a "big, beautiful life" even with OCD.
 
Key points covered:
• Defining Psychological Flexibility: Understanding the 6 core processes of ACT (Presence, Values, Committed Action, Self-as-Context, Diffusion, and Acceptance).
• The ERP + ACT Integration: Why symptom reduction isn't always enough and how ACT addresses the "day-to-day living" aspect of recovery.
• The "Flashlight" Metaphor: Shifting your focus from internal control to values-based living.
• Slowing Down to Heal: Why we use busy-ness as a distraction and how to safely sit with the "scary" silence.
 
Recovery isn't just about stopping compulsions; it’s about having the flexibility to roll with life’s punches.
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers a philosophical and practical roadmap for moving beyond just "getting by" to truly thriving.
 
📲 About Marisa Mazza (guest):
• PsyD, a faculty member of the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, author of The ACT Workbook for OCD
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmazza/
• Web Page: https://www.choicetherapy.net/team
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] - The OCD Whisperer x Dr. Marisa Mazza
[03:12] - Psychological Flexibility: The "Game Changer" in Treatment
[05:26] - A New Relationship with Your "What Ifs"
[09:13] - Beyond Symptom Reduction (ACT vs. ERP)
[13:12] - The "Grief" Example: Putting Acceptance into Action
[16:32] - Why "Slowing Down" Feels So Dangerous
[22:47] - The Silent Retreat Test: Facing What We Run From
[27:26] - The Ultimate Reframe: Trust vs. Anxiety
[29:40] - Your "Itty Bitty Baby Step" for Today
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
OCD Recovery Mental Health Podcast Anxiety Relief Overcoming OCD OCD Treatment Psychology Therapy Tips OCD Whisperer
 
© OCD Whisperer

169. My OCD Was at Its Worst While My Baby Was Fighting for Her Life

🧠Can OCD trick even a trained medical professional?
What happens when your worst fear actually comes true—and your OCD tells you it’s your fault?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Sarah Michelle Boes, nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, mother, and OCD advocate. Together, they explore what it’s like to live for decades with undiagnosed OCD, how pregnancy intensified obsessive thinking, and how recovery is possible even after hitting rock bottom.
 
Sarah opens up about:
• Living with OCD symptoms since childhood without knowing it
• Being misdiagnosed until adulthood
• How pregnancy and motherhood intensified magical thinking OCD
• The moment she realized OCD—not reality—was running the show
• Entering intensive ERP treatment and rebuilding her life
 
This is an honest, vulnerable conversation about living through fear, uncertainty, and doubt—and learning how to move forward anyway.
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical insight into long-term recovery.
 
📲 About Sara Boes (guest):
• NP, mental health advocate, author, Founder
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmichelleboes/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-michelle-boes/
• Web Page: https://sarahmichelleboes.com/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] Meet Sarah Boes[01:10] The First Signs of OCD No One Recognized[03:31] Pregnancy Triggered My Worst OCD Ever[04:27] The Baby Shower That Broke My Brain[05:10] When OCD “Got It Right” About My Child[07:22] Life After a Severe OCD Diagnosis[10:08] Hitting Extreme OCD and Entering Intensive Treatment[11:52] What Actually Helped Me Recover From OCD[13:39] Losing the Constant Feeling of Urgency[15:39] Who Am I Without My OCD?[17:02] Doing the Things OCD Tried to Take Away[20:01] OCD Remission, Relapse, and Real Recovery[21:52] When OCD Targets What You Love Most[25:35] The Sneaky Ways OCD Comes Back[27:34] Reassurance, Relationships, and Setting Boundaries[30:09] Final Thoughts and Where to Find Sarah
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
OCD recovery living with OCD ERP therapy for OCD intrusive thoughts magical thinking OCD postpartum OCD OCD personal story anxiety and OCD reassurance seeking OCD acceptance and OCD
 
© OCD Whisperer

168. Why you can’t stop OCD thoughts and what actually works (Acceptance Explained)

🧠Can you really accept OCD thoughts without agreeing with them?
And what does “acceptance” actually look like when your mind is attacking you nonstop?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova, LMFT, speaks with Dr. Sarah Brungardt, psychologist and founder of Calm OCD. Together, they explore one of the most misunderstood (and feared) concepts in OCD recovery: accepting intrusive thoughts without engaging in compulsions.
 
Dr. Brungardt breaks down what acceptance truly means, why fighting thoughts keeps OCD stronger, and how learning to tolerate uncomfortable emotions can give you your life back.
 
Dr. Sarah opens up about:
• Why the goal of OCD therapy is not eliminating thoughts or emotions
• How emotional reasoning keeps people stuck in compulsive loops
• Why rumination is one of the most overlooked compulsions in OCD
• What real acceptance looks like in daily life (and why it feels impossible at first)
 
Acceptance doesn’t mean approval.
It doesn’t mean giving up. It means learning how to live with uncertainty instead of letting OCD control your choices.
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight into how acceptance actually works in recovery.
 
📲 About Sara Brungardt (guest):
• CEO of "calmocd"
• OCD & Anxiety Specialist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calmocd/
• CalmOCD web page: https://www.calmocd.com/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – Meet Dr. Sarah Brungardt: Your Guide to Understanding OCD[01:17] – Why “Acceptance” Sounds Impossible at First[03:23] – Sitting With Feelings That Feel Unbearable[05:47] – How Can You Avoid Engaging with Thoughts[08:03] – Acceptance Is the First Exposure[09:59] – How Long OCD Recovery Really Takes[12:10] – How can I feel positive emotions during OCD attacks[13:51] – How can you stop trying to figure out OCD thoughts[16:29] – When Acceptance Becomes the Obsession
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
OCD acceptance intrusive thoughts OCD rumination OCD ERP therapy for OCD mental compulsions OCD recovery tools accepting intrusive thoughts OCD psychoeducation
 
© OCD Whisperer

167. Understanding OCD Beyond ERP: Obsessional Doubt, I-CBT, and Real Recovery

🧠What If OCD Isn’t About Uncertainty—But About Doubting the Wrong Things?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova, LMFT shares her personal journey living with OCD and how her understanding of treatment has evolved over time. Drawing from both lived experience and nearly a decade of clinical work with OCD, Kristina breaks down ERP, ICBT, ACT, and why learning how OCD actually works mattered more than chasing themes or subtypes.
 
This conversation dives into:
• Living with relationship OCD, morality OCD, and “feeling off” OCD
• Why rumination was her most powerful (and invisible) compulsion
• How ERP—especially imaginal exposures—changed her relationship with intrusive thoughts
• What it really meant to reach recovery and live without being ruled by OCD
 
Kristina shares how learning to spot rumination, tolerate uncomfortable body sensations, and stop feeding imaginary stories helped her step out of OCD’s internal world and back into real life.
 
Whether you’re living with OCD, supporting someone who is, or trying to decide which treatment approach is right for you, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight into what recovery can actually look like.
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – I Didn’t Know I Had OCD (Even as a Therapist)[02:52] – Why Understanding OCD Matters More Than Knowing Your “Subtype”[05:17] – Why ERP Helped Me (And What People Get Wrong About It)[07:32] – The Compulsion No One Talks About: Rumination[09:52] – When Your Brain Starts Searching for Problems That Don’t Exist[12:07] – Exposure to Feelings: Letting Anxiety Exist Without Fixing It[14:32] – The Breakthrough I Had With I-CBT[16:55] – Obsessional Doubt vs Real-Life Uncertainty[20:27] – The Moment I Stopped Believing Every Story My Mind Created[22:42] – How to Tell When You’re Doubting Normally vs Obsessionally[24:42] – Why There Is No “One Right” Way to Treat OCD[27:32] – Recovery Is Possible (And What I Want You to Take From This)
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
OCD recovery relationship OCD ERP therapy for OCD ICBT for OCD rumination OCD obsessional doubt intrusive thoughts OCD living with OCD OCD treatment options
 
© OCD Whisperer

166. Therapist Explains: The Subtle Signs of Childhood OCD Parents Overlook

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Is your child’s OCD hiding behind good behavior and perfectionism?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Katherine Schooland, LMFT, founder and director of Raising Brave Kids, a multi-state practice specializing in child and teen anxiety and OCD. Together, they explore how childhood OCD can quietly hide in high-functioning, compliant, and “well-behaved” kids — and why it’s so often missed.
Katherine shares deep clinical insight into how OCD actually shows up in children, especially when it doesn’t look anxious, disruptive, or obvious.
 
Katherine breaks down:
• How childhood OCD can hide behind reassurance-seeking, perfectionism, and compliance
• Why mental compulsions and rumination are so hard for parents to spot
• The difference between normal developmental worries and OCD “stickiness”
• How ERP-informed parenting can interrupt the OCD cycle early
• What happens when childhood OCD goes unrecognized into adolescence and adulthood
 
Whether you’re parenting a child with OCD, suspect something deeper than “just anxiety,” or supporting a family navigating uncertainty, this episode offers clarity, hope, and concrete tools to help kids — and parents — move forward.
 
📲 About Katherine (guest):
• LMFT, founder and director of Raising Brave Kids
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingbrave.kids
• Raising Brave Kids: https://www.raisingbravekids.com/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – When OCD Hides in “Good Kids”[01:36] – The Reassurance Trap Parents Don’t Realize They’re In[04:10] – When Perfectionism Isn’t a Strength Anymore[06:02] – Avoidance That Doesn’t Look Like Avoidance[07:01] – The Mental Rituals No One Sees[09:17] – How Loving Parents Accidentally Feed OCD[10:47] – Supporting Your Child Without Becoming the Anxiety Regulator[13:23] – Why Parents Must Regulate Themselves First[14:16] – What Happens When Childhood OCD Is Missed[16:49] – Why Early Skills Change Everything[17:40] – The Biggest Gaps in OCD Treatment Today[20:09] – You’re Not Failing—There Is a Way Forward
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
childhood OCD OCD in children parenting a child with OCD reassurance seeking OCD mental compulsions ERP for kids family accommodation OCD anxiety vs OCD in children
 
© OCD Whisperer

165. Perinatal OCD vs Normal Parental Anxiety: How to Tell the Difference

🤰These Thoughts Don’t Mean You Want to Harm Your Baby
 
In this second of two episodes about perinatal OCD on The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova is joined again by Betty Flores, LCSW, a perinatal mental health specialist and founder of Perinatal Wellness, for an honest and deeply needed conversation about perinatal OCD, intrusive thoughts, pregnancy, and postpartum mental health.
Betty shares her own lived experience with undiagnosed perinatal OCD—including how both she and her therapist initially missed the signs—and how that journey ultimately led her to specialize in helping parents who feel terrified by thoughts they don’t understand.
 
Betty opens up about:
• Experiencing intrusive thoughts during postpartum that were misunderstood as “normal worry”
• Why perinatal OCD is often missed or minimized—even by trained professionals
• Taboo intrusive thoughts involving harm and why they don’t reflect intent
• How reassurance, checking, and mental review quietly fuel the OCD cycle
• Why ERP therapy and proper education changed everything
 
Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, supporting a loved one, or trying to understand intrusive thoughts, this conversation offers clarity, education, and relief—without minimizing how real and painful this experience can be.
 
📲 About Betty Flores (guest):
• Certified in Perinatal Mental Health | EMDR | ERP
• Perinatal OCD/Anxiety, Reproductive Trauma, Grief & Loss
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perinatal_wellness/
• Perinatal Wellness: https://www.perinatal-wellness.com/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – When the Expert Misses OCD in Herself: A Therapist’s Undiagnosed Perinatal OCD[03:19] – Why Perinatal OCD Is So Often Misdiagnosed (Even by Professionals)[05:40] – Normal Parent Worry vs OCD: The One Difference That Changes Everything[07:25] – OCD Is the Doubting Disease: How “What If” Thoughts Take Over[08:15] – Can You Control OCD During Pregnancy? What Actually Helps[09:25] – What Postpartum OCD Really Looks Like (Thoughts, Urges, and Checking)[10:37] – Responsibility, Parenthood, and OCD’s Biggest Trap[13:20] – How Common Is Perinatal OCD (And Why Parents Stay Silent)[14:59] – Can Postpartum OCD Turn Into Psychosis? Clearing Up a Common Fear[16:58] – Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression: The Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
perinatal OCD postpartum OCD intrusive thoughts pregnancy harm OCD parents ERP therapy for OCD postpartum anxiety vs OCD OCD intrusive thoughts baby maternal mental health
 
© OCD Whisperer

164. Perinatal OCD Explained: When Protective Instincts Turn Into Intrusive Fear

🤰Are these protective instincts… or is it postpartum OCD?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Betty Flores, LCSW, a perinatal mental health specialist from Perinatal Wellness. Together, they explore how postpartum and pregnancy OCD show up, why intrusive thoughts feel so convincing during this stage of life, and how parents can tell the difference between normal worry and an OCD-driven threat response.
 
Betty breaks down:
• What intrusive thoughts in pregnancy and postpartum actually look like
• How perinatal OCD disguises itself as “being a good parent”
• The difference between normal protective instincts and OCD-driven urgency
• Why reassurance-seeking, checking, and mental reviewing fuel the cycle
 
If you’re pregnant, postpartum, trying to conceive, or supporting someone who is — and struggling with frightening thoughts that don’t match who you are — this episode offers clarity, normalization, and hope. You are not broken, dangerous, or failing as a parent. And help is available.
 
📲 About Betty Flores (guest):
• Certified in Perinatal Mental Health | EMDR | ERP
• Perinatal OCD/Anxiety, Reproductive Trauma, Grief & Loss
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perinatal_wellness/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – Normal Protective Instinct or OCD? Why This Question Confuses Almost Every Parent[02:32] – The “What If” Spiral: Intrusive Thoughts in Pregnancy & Postpartum Explained[05:02] – Why Mental Compulsions Are Harder to Spot Than Physical Ones[05:52] – “If I Say This, Will I Be Reported?” Why Parents Stay Silent About Intrusive Thoughts[07:42] – Do These Thoughts Mean I Want to Harm My Baby? How to Tell the Difference[09:45] – What OBs, Midwives, and Doctors Often Get Wrong About Perinatal OCD[11:00] – Why Perinatal OCD Is So Often Misdiagnosed as “Just Anxiety”[12:26] – Does Perinatal OCD Ever Go Away? What Actually Helps[14:02] – ERP in Pregnancy & Postpartum: Why It Works (And Why People Fear It)[14:34] – Final Takeaway: You’re Not Dangerous — You’re Stuck in an OCD Loop
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
postpartum OCD perinatal OCD intrusive thoughts postpartum pregnancy anxiety vs OCD ERP for postpartum OCD intrusive thoughts about baby maternal mental health
 
© OCD Whisperer