Neil Hemmer is one of those old young people, already wise at 25. He’ll say something so poetic and profound it brings a tear to your eye and you suddenly feel less alone. And then he’ll tell a long story about pooping and the tears in your eyes are from laughing so hard. Like many…
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Advocating for OCD on Twitter: Shira Folberg
Shira Folberg is a force to be reckoned with! When she tweets about mental health and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in particular, people pay attention. She’s also started a personal blog about her experiences with OCD as well as a series called Faces of OCD with the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Shira has gone through a…
Read MoreHarnessing the Power of ACT: Patricia Zurita Ona
When you talk to Patricia Zurita Ona—Dr.Z. to her patients—her passion for acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) comes through loud and clear. She has embraced this form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a way for individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to face their fears by focusing on what they value in life. Dr. Z. is…
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 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 MoreFinding Support for OCD: Leah Adair
Leah Adair is a delight! I’m lucky enough to know her, and today you get to know more about her and her journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Leah is full of positivity and insight and realizes that even with the torture that OCD has caused in her life she still has plenty to be thankful…
Read MoreA Holistic Approach to OCD: Stephen Johns
Not to brag, but I know Stephen Johns because he loved my book and got in touch with me (I never get tired of hearing from people, no matter how we happen to connect). And let me tell you, he has so much knowledge and insight to share about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), he could write…
Read MoreHelping Students With OCD: Nathalie Maragoni
Happy Tuesday! Please help me welcome Nathalie Maragoni! Not only is Nathalie an amazing advocate working hard to spread awareness of OCD, she’s also in school so she can become an OCD therapist. This is such important work, and we all know how hard it can be to find a properly trained therapist, so thank you,…
Read MoreBlasphemous Thoughts in OCD: Michele Carroll
Meet the lovely Michele Carroll! Some of you may be thinking, “Wait, I think I have met her” because you’ve talked with her or seen her at some of the annual International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) conferences. As you’ll soon hear from Michele herself, she’s had OCD for years—but she’s only recently begun opening up about it more and…
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