Happy Monday! Help me welcome Genevieve Kales, who started advocating for OCD awareness a few years ago and has already made a huge impact on our community. You might recognize her from the documentary “Uncovering OCD: The Truth About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,” directed by Ethan Smith, in which she shared her experience with OCD. You played…
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Advocating for OCD During a Crisis: Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is one of the busiest advocates out there! We’re lucky he was able to carve out some time to talk about his latest projects and what he’s doing to offer support in this unpredictable climate. Thank you for everything you do for the OCD community, Ethan! Ethan, it’s been a while since you…
Read MoreNot Alone Notes: Morgan Rondinelli and Molly Fishback
When I was in college few things were more exciting than checking my little PO box and seeing that I’d gotten mail—a care package from my mom or a card from one of my roommates. Sure, living together meant we could just hand each other a note, but that’s not nearly as fun. Morgan Rondinelli…
Read MoreFounder of Huddle.care: Maggie Perry
Therapist Maggie Perry presented at the 2020 OCD Gamechangers, and it’s easy to see why: With her creation of Huddle.care, an innovative online therapy program, she is helping change the way individuals with OCD and anxiety get treatment. Feelings of isolation and shame don’t stand a chance against support from a therapist and peers who…
Read MoreTreating OCD Outside the Box: Christopher Schoenstedt
Today we’re getting insight from Christopher Schoenstedt, MA, an OCD therapist with a practice in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. (Currently, due to COVID-19, he’s only doing teletherapy.) Thank you, Christopher! How long have you treated OCD? I have treated OCD in different capacities for around five years. What led you to focus on anxiety, OCD, and panic?…
Read MoreDrawing on Strength to Face OCD: Thomas Smalley
Thomas Smalley was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in high school, and it wasn’t long before he was spreading awareness of the disorder: He spoke about it at Yale when he was only 16! Thomas found purpose in his pain and has helped combat stigma and educate others about OCD. Learn more about his journey,…
Read MoreBeing Inclusive to All With OCD: Vinay Krishnan
Vinay Krishnan has been vocal about spreading awareness of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and in a variety of ways: In 2018 he hosted an open-mic night at the OCD Conference, he’s written articles such as “What I Learned Watching LeBron James During My OCD Treatment,” and he’s on the IOCDF Diversity Advisory Council. Today he’s talking…
Read MoreFinding a Therapist With NOCD: Stephen Smith
A huge hurdle people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often face is finding a qualified therapist in their area and price range—and the key word here is qualified. Too often a therapist includes OCD on the list of issues they treat but they haven’t been trained in evidence-based treatment, or exposure and response prevention (ERP). Stephen Smith, the…
Read MoreOCD Gamechangers: Chrissie Hodges
If there’s one thing Chrissie Hodges is an expert in, it’s helping people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) feel less alone. If you’ve seen her YouTube videos about intrusive thoughts, you know what I mean. She will talk about anything related to OCD to spread awareness. But she’s not an expert in just one thing! Chrissie…
Read MoreTreating OCD With Brass Knuckles: Steven Phillipson
Today’s Q&A might read a little different to you, a little more casual—that’s because Dr. Steven Phillipson and I had a long phone call, and I didn’t follow my prepared questions to a tee. The conversation flowed as it needed to, and I learned just how dedicated he is to helping people with obsessive-compulsive disorder,…
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