In today's episode, I had a fascinating chat with Dr. Aaron Reichlin, a seasoned psychiatrist based in Chicago, who delved deep into the world of medications and therapies for OCD. Dr. Reichlin shared invaluable insights into the appropriate medications for OCD and severe anxiety, including the roles of SSRIs and benzodiazepines.

We discussed the critical importance of exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy combined with medication management. He also introduced his innovative AI-driven mental health tech company, PsychNow, which aids in efficient patient screening and care. Plus, we covered common patient concerns about medication and the necessity of empathy and connection in treatment. Stay tuned until the end to learn how you can connect with Dr. Reichlin and discover more about cutting-edge OCD treatments!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:52 Dr. Reiklin's Background and Current Work

02:29 Innovative Mental Health Tech: Psych Now

04:47 Challenges in Mental Health Screening and Intake

05:58 Medication Management for OCD

08:50 Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy

11:55 Combining Medication and Therapy for OCD

17:28 Addressing Patient Concerns and Side Effects

30:15 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

➡️If you're located in North Carolina or Virginia, Grab your free 15-minute consult with Erin here. 🎥 Erin has limited spots in the intensive outpatient program!

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Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday, and in this episode, we'll chat about how to enjoy it as an adult, even if you have OCD. We'll cover everything from dealing with contamination fears to the paranoia about needles in candy (seriously, who even thinks of these things?). I’ll share my personal strategies for calming OCD and grounding techniques to keep you present. Plus, I’ll give you some exposure exercise tips, like the joys of watching spooky movies without the sound to ease anxiety. Oh, and if you're terrified of blood, don't worry – I've got some hilarious exposure stories and even a blood exposure video. Stick around to hear about how early treatment can prevent OCD spirals, and get a sneak peek of next week's guest, a psychiatrist ready to dish on OCD meds. Let’s make this Halloween unforgettable and keep that OCD at bay!

01:13 OCD and Halloween: Managing the Struggles

05:57 The Cycle of OCD and Seeking Treatment

07:42 Exposure Therapy with Halloween Movies

14:11 Preparing for a Fun Halloween Night

14:38 Understanding the OCD Nightmare

15:37 Staying Present in the Moment

19:26 Facing Blood Phobia and Halloween Triggers

23:32 Worst Case Scenario Script

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

➡️If you're located in North Carolina or Virginia, Grab your free 15-minute consult with Erin here. 🎥 Erin has limited spots in the intensive outpatient program!

➡️Love the podcast? Awesome! Treat Erin to a coffee! ☕️

➡️Want more? 👏

• Snag a spot on Erin's email newsletter to get extra tips, tricks, & insider info. 📧
• Shop Erin's store for OCD-themed merch to brighten your day. ☀️

➡️Have questions? Submit them here to get a shout-out on the show! 🗣️

➡️To rate the show: scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, & select "Write a Review" to let others know what you loved most about the episode! ✍️ When you leave that raving review, shoot me a message to get your special bonus! 🎉

Feeling like a jittery phone or a brain-dead zombie? Let's chat about the different zones of your nervous system and how to get back to that sweet 'green zone' of tolerance. I'll share a funny yet panic-inducing story about my son scaring me to illustrate the fight or flight response. We’ll also tackle navigating Halloween with OCD on overdrive – understanding your body's reactions and getting back to calm can make a world of difference. You'll learn simple yet effective techniques like deep breathing, belly balloons, and how to challenge those pesky thoughts about being a bad mom. Ready to feel human again and reconnect with joy? Check out my intensive program starting in November at ValueDrivenTherapy.com. Get back to feeling safe just in time for the holidays. Tune in next week for more on surviving Halloween with mental health challenges!

01:43 Personal Story: A Frightening Experience

02:59 Understanding the Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response

10:44 Understanding Emotional Numbness

11:09 The Importance of the Nervous System

15:56 The Power of Deep Breathing

18:33 Taking Control of Your Mental Health

19:28 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

➡️If you're located in North Carolina or Virginia, Book Your Consult with Erin to schedule your free 15-minute video call. 🎥 Erin is now accepting new clients for an intensive outpatient program!

➡️Love the podcast? Awesome! Treat Erin to a coffee! ☕️

➡️Want more? 👏

• Snag a spot on Erin's email newsletter to get extra tips, tricks, & insider info. 📧
• Shop Erin's store for OCD-themed merch to brighten your day. ☀️

➡️Handpicked rec's for you:

• Thrizer simplifies your insurance benefits for out-of-network care.
• Descript offers powerful tools for editing audio & video, making it easy to polish your podcast.
• Needing passive income? Open a high-yield savings account with SoFi & get $25 for opening an account with my link! 💸

*These are affiliate links, which means I may get a kickback (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase after clicking.

➡️Please rate the show with five stars, & select "Write a Review" to let others know what you loved most about the episode! ✍️ When you leave that raving review, shoot me a message to get your special bonus! 🎉

This episode explores the topic of agoraphobia, a phobia characterized by the fear of leaving home or being trapped in inescapable situations. It addresses how such fears can manifest in teenagers, especially following traumatic events like school shootings.

I highlight the overlap between OCD and agoraphobia, and how therapy, particularly virtual therapy, can help manage these fears by building resilience, fostering positive thinking, and utilizing exposure and response prevention strategies. The goal is to empower kids to take proactive steps towards a fulfilling life, free from the constraints of fear. It encourages parents to trust their instincts and seek professional support if their child shows signs of avoidance or anxiety.

00:00 Introduction to Agoraphobia

02:43 Understanding Agoraphobia and Its Triggers

04:39 The Overlap Between OCD and Agoraphobia

06:57 Signs Your Child Needs Help

09:06 Effective Therapy Approaches

13:03 Empowering Your Child to Overcome Fear

20:16 Next Steps

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

➡️If you're located in North Carolina or Virginia, Book Your Consult with Erin to schedule your free 15-minute video call. 🎥 Erin is now accepting new clients for an intensive outpatient program!

➡️Love the podcast? Awesome! Treat Erin to a coffee! ☕️

➡️Want more? 👏

• Snag a spot on Erin's email newsletter to get extra tips, tricks, & insider info. 📧
• Shop Erin's store for OCD-themed merch to brighten your day. ☀️

➡️Handpicked rec's for you:

• Thrizer simplifies your insurance benefits for out-of-network care.
• Descript offers powerful tools for editing audio & video, making it easy to polish your podcast.
• Needing passive income? Open a high-yield savings account with SoFi & get $25 for opening an account with my link! 💸

*These are affiliate links, which means I may get a kickback (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase after clicking.

➡️Please rate the show with five stars, & select "Write a Review" to let others know what you loved most about the episode! ✍️ When you leave that raving review, shoot me a message to get your special bonus! 🎉

In this episode, I tackle the tough issue of school refusal, especially for kids with OCD. I discuss the challenges parents face when their children refuse to go to school, exhibiting behaviors like crying, faking illness, and being generally uncooperative.

I provide insights on why kids with OCD struggle more in school, often leading to parents considering homeschooling, a solution I strongly advise against. I emphasize the importance of early intervention with an OCD specialist, detailing my therapy approach and the process of working with schools to support these kids.

I also share strategies for gradually reintroducing children to school and creating a supportive environment at home, including maintaining a healthy sleep routine, nutritious breakfast, and a reward system. Finally, I offer practical advice on managing OCD behaviors that interfere with school and stress the significance of collaboration between therapists and schools to ensure better educational outcomes.

01:10 Understanding OCD and School Struggles

02:07 The Pitfalls of Homeschooling for OCD

03:36 The Importance of Early Treatment

04:26 Therapy Options and Approaches

07:14 Recognizing School Refusal Signs

10:58 Strategies to Combat School Refusal

20:28 Creating a Supportive Environment

#schoolrefusalOCD #MentalHealthSupport #Therapy #SafetyPlan #SeekHelp #SchoolOCD #CopingStrategies #MentalWellBeing #SupportAvailable #ObsessionsAndCompulsions #SpecialistTreatment #SuicideHotline #EmergencyHelp #youarenotalone

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

➡️If you're located in North Carolina or Virginia, Book Your Consult with Erin to schedule your free 15-minute video call. 🎥 Erin is now accepting new clients for an intensive outpatient program!

➡️Love the podcast? Awesome! Treat Erin to a coffee! ☕️

➡️Want more? 👏

• Snag a spot on Erin's email newsletter to get extra tips, tricks, & insider info. 📧
• Shop Erin's store for OCD-themed merch to brighten your day. ☀️

➡️Handpicked rec's for you:

• Thrizer simplifies your insurance benefits for out-of-network care.
• Descript offers powerful tools for editing audio & video, making it easy to polish your podcast.
• Needing passive income? Open a high-yield savings account with SoFi & get $25 for opening an account with my link! 💸

*These are affiliate links, which means I may get a kickback (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase after clicking.

➡️Please rate the show with five stars, & select "Write a Review" to let others know what you loved most about the episode! ✍️ When you leave that raving review, shoot me a message to get your special bonus! 🎉

It's not about white knuckling it. Getting help for OCD can sound like a torture fest...but it's not.

Watch this episode to hear how exposure response prevention (ERP) can break the OCD cycle. Erin shares insights on her three-week virtual intensive outpatient program and emphasizes the importance of staying committed to therapy for long-term recovery.

You'll hear tips on how to reclaim time lost to OCD and how personalized ERP services can help you.

00:00 For ERP services, go to valuedriventherapy.com

00:24 The Importance of Effective Treatment

00:52 Introduction to Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

01:30 Meet Erin Davis: Your OCD Specialist

02:06 Seasonal Changes and Mental Health

03:09 ERP Intensive Outpatient Program

08:49 The Role of ERP in OCD Treatment

09:05 Customizing ERP for Individual Needs

09:48 The Process of ERP

18:47 The Importance of Consistency in ERP

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

➡️If you're located in North Carolina or Virginia, Book Your Consult with Erin to schedule your free 15-minute video call. 🎥 Erin is now accepting new clients for an intensive outpatient program!

➡️Love the podcast? Awesome! Treat Erin to a coffee! ☕️

➡️Want more? 👏

• Snag a spot on Erin's email newsletter to get extra tips, tricks, & insider info. 📧
• Shop Erin's store for OCD-themed merch to brighten your day. ☀️

➡️Handpicked rec's for you:

• Thrizer simplifies your insurance benefits for out-of-network care.
• Descript offers powerful tools for editing audio & video, making it easy to polish your podcast.
• Needing passive income? Open a high-yield savings account with SoFi & get $25 for opening an account with my link! 💸

*These are affiliate links, which means I may get a kickback (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase after clicking.

➡️Please rate the show with five stars, & select "Write a Review" to let others know what you loved most about the episode! ✍️ When you leave that raving review, shoot me a message to get your special bonus! 🎉

Ever feel like you NEED to line your shoes up perfectly or else risk total chaos? Just Right OCD is the red headed step child of OCD; it differs from the other subtypes. With no feared outcomes, this type of OCD can feel even more frustrating and is often misunderstood—even in therapy. I’ll share insights from the International OCD Foundation on my blog, along with humorous, real-life scenarios (hello, drive-thru embarrassment!). I’ll discuss how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can help you regain control and flexibility in your daily life. If you’re stuck in these obsessive habits, join me to learn how to break free and take your life back. See you next Friday for more on ERP!

00:00 Erin's Take on Overcoming Intrusive Rituals

01:00 Exploring Just Right OCD

04:08 Personal Anecdotes and Observations

07:58 Challenges and Treatment for Just Right OCD

16:58 Therapy Options and Encouragement

24:36 Conclusion and How to work with Erin

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

➡️If you're located in North Carolina or Virginia, Book Your Consult with Erin to schedule your free 15-minute video call. 🎥 Erin is now accepting new clients for an intensive outpatient program!

➡️Love the podcast? Awesome! Treat Erin to a coffee! ☕️

➡️Want more? 👏

• Snag a spot on Erin's email newsletter to get extra tips, tricks, & insider info. 📧
• Shop Erin's store for OCD-themed merch to brighten your day. ☀️

➡️Handpicked rec's for you:

• Thrizer simplifies your insurance benefits for out-of-network care.
• Descript offers powerful tools for editing audio & video, making it easy to polish your podcast.
• Needing passive income? Open a high-yield savings account with SoFi & get $25 for opening an account with my link! 💸

*These are affiliate links, which means I may get a kickback (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase after clicking.

➡️Please rate the show with five stars, & select "Write a Review" to let others know what you loved most about the episode! ✍️ When you leave that raving review, shoot me a message to get your special bonus! 🎉

Let's talk about how setting boundaries can change the overwhelming impacts of OCD.

I'll explain the concept of boundaries, why they are important, and the downfalls of not having boundaries.

You'll hear practical advice on establishing boundaries without feeling guilty. You can focus on building better relationships and self-care.

00:00 Introduction to OCD Awareness

00:07 Understanding Relationship OCD

00:43 Setting Boundaries Without Guilt

01:54 The Importance of Boundaries

03:27 Boundaries and OCD

05:16 Practical Examples of Setting Boundaries

10:11 Overcoming Challenges in Setting Boundaries

13:06 Personal Story: Setting Firm Boundaries

17:35 How to Set Boundaries with Parents

23:33 Conclusion and Next Steps

✨Content is proudly sponsored by NOCD. Go to NOCD.com/savage to get evidence-based treatment from US locations & abroad!

➡️If you're located in North Carolina or Virginia, Book Your Consult with Erin to schedule your free 15-minute video call. 🎥 Erin is now accepting new clients for an intensive outpatient program!

➡️Love the podcast? Awesome! Treat Erin to a coffee! ☕️

➡️Want more? 👏

• Snag a spot on Erin's email newsletter to get extra tips, tricks, & insider info. 📧
• Shop Erin's store for OCD-themed merch to brighten your day. ☀️

➡️Handpicked rec's for you:

• Thrizer simplifies your insurance benefits for out-of-network care.
• Descript offers powerful tools for editing audio & video, making it easy to polish your podcast.
• Needing passive income? Open a high-yield savings account with SoFi & get $25 for opening an account with my link! 💸

*These are affiliate links, which means I may get a kickback (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase after clicking.

➡️Please rate the show with five stars, & select "Write a Review" to let others know what you loved most about the episode! ✍️ When you leave that raving review, shoot me a message to get your special bonus! 🎉