Just Checking

Mental compulsions can be invisible, exhausting, and easy to miss- even for clinicians. In this episode, Jess and Laura sit down with Jess Marriner (creator of Breaking the Loop) to unpack what mental compulsions and rumination actually look like, how they differ from ordinary thinking, and why "just doing the exposure" doesn't always shift underlying beliefs. They cover Pure O, whether OCD can exist without the "O," how to spot invisible compulsions in the therapy room, and what ERP and CBT look like when the compulsions are all happening inside someone's head. Plus: attention training, planned vs unplanned exposure, stress management and OCD, and a Jess M discount code you won't want to miss. Perfect for anyone with OCD, clinicians working with OCD clients, or anyone who's ever wondered "is this rumination or just... thinking?” Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Featuring Jess Marriner, BABCP Accred OCD and anxiety specialist therapist Follow Jess Marriner at @jessmarrinertherapy and access her Break the Loop at: Break The Loop Use the discount code: justchecking20 at checkout for 20% discount Time Stamps: 00:38 Episode overview 01:50 Introductions and catch up 06:50 Brain Spam 10:20 Overview of Jess M and Break the Loop 15:40 What do mental compulsions look like? 18:42 What rumination looks like 21:00 Thoughts vs thinking 25:50 Why doing the thing doesn't change beliefs sometimes 28:40 How can clinicians ask about mental compulsions 31:10 What is pure O? 32:40 Can we have OCD without the 'O'? 36:40 Jess H book sidebar 41:05 How does ERP or CBT look for invisible compulsions? 45:00 Attention training first 46:30 Unplanned and deliberate ERP 53:00 Stress management and OCD 57:35 The OCD game 58:00 Jess M discount code 1:00:00 Weekly Win 1:01:04 Exposure Lab 1:05:20 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

It's not always fear driving OCD; sometimes it's disgust. In this episode, Jess and Laura unpack disgust-based OCD: what makes it different from anxiety-based presentations, why there's often no obvious "core fear" to find, and how disgust sensitivity and propensity shape the way it shows up. They cover mental contamination, self-regulation, shame beliefs (including LGBTQ+-specific shame), and why some safety seeking behaviours might need to stay for now. Expect personal anecdotes, an apocalypse tangent, and a full toolkit of practical experiments, from metacognitive imagery work to ACT and CFT-informed approaches, for building tolerance to the intolerable. Plus: Listener Question, a Weekly Win, and an Exposure Lab challenge. Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time Stamps: 01:00 Overview 02:00 Why disgust-based OCD 03:05 Brain Spam 08:40 What is disgust? 11:55 Personal disgust examples 17:40 Disgust reacts differently to anxiety 19:00 Expectations for treatment 19:45 No core fear 26:00 Disgust sensitivity and disgust propensity 27:30 Self-regulation's role 31:55 How therapy can look 36:00 People can be disgusting 36:50 Shame beliefs and origins 39:05 Metacognitive therapy imagery descripting 41:50 Disgust associations 45:15 Allowing safety behaviours 46:20 A focus on values 49:55 Apocalypse tangent 53:44 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) approaches 55:20 Laura's summary of disgust approaches 58:00 Disgust aims and reminders 1:01:15 Listener Question 1:03:50 Weekly Win 1:05:27 Exposure Lab 1:10:00 Goodbyes Disgust Behavioural Experiments: **1. "Opposite action" for disgust** Pick something mildly disgusting (not your worst trigger). Physically approach it, let yourself really look at it rather than looking away, and notice the urge to tense up or recoil- then deliberately soften your shoulders/hands. The exercise is about closing the gap between "disgusted" and "recoiling," not making the disgust disappear. **2. The reappraisal game** Take a disgust-trigger object and describe it out loud using only neutral, clinical, or absurdly technical language-no evaluative words allowed. E.g. a used tissue becomes "cellulose fibres holding condensed nasal secretions." This is changing the *meaning* attached to a stimulus rather than the stimulus itself. **3. Rewrite the ending** Take a recurring "gross" intrusive image and, eyes closed, deliberately continue the scene past where it normally stops- give it a different, even ridiculous ending. This is a small version of imagery rescripting, which works by changing the affective meaning of the image rather than trying to suppress or avoid it. **4. Pairing test** Since disgust is often *learned* through association rather than reasoned belief, try repeatedly pairing a low-stakes disgust trigger with something genuinely pleasant (a favourite song, a square of chocolate) over several short exposures, and notice whether the association shifts. Resources: Disgust Scale-revised: Disgust Scale, DS-R Feelings Wheel: Feelings Wheel | Worksheet | Therapist Aid Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

A lovely guest, Jess, opens up about her postnatal OCD journey; from the sexual and harm intrusive thoughts she was terrified to admit, to the health visitor and GP visits that Jess courageously opened up in, to finally getting the right help from a perinatal team. We talk about what OCD looks like after recovery, the grief that can come with a postpartum OCD diagnosis, and the exposure work that actually helped. If you're a new parent having intrusive thoughts you're scared to say out loud, or a professional who wants to understand postnatal OCD better, this one's for you. Content warning; please be aware that we discuss specific intrusive harm and taboo thoughts in this episode, listen with caution. Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Featuring Jess @rosejess91 Useful Links: Mind: Perinatal OCD | Types of mental health problems | Mind Maternal OCD: Welcome to Maternal OCD OCDUK: OCD during a prenatal or postnatal period | OCD-UK Time Stamps: 00:45 Extra content trigger disclaimer 01:25 Introduction to Jess 02:20 Brain Spam, postnatal OCD edition 07:20 What Jess' OCD journey was like 14:00 What Jess first thought of her thoughts 16:45 How the visit with the health visitor went 19:50 What Jess feared with her first confession 22:40 What would it have helped for the doctor to say? 25:20 The phone call with the perinatal team 30:05 Big OCD achievements 35:20 Grief around the OCD postpartum 38:20 Sneaky compulsions 39:10 What this OCD looks like after recovery 44:00 Routines that can help 45:55 What would Jess tell herself if she were to go back? 49:00 What do professionals need to know? 52:00 Recovery expectations and tips 55:00 What combination of things helped Jess 57:02 An example exposure task that helped 59:10 Exposure Lab 1:03:10 Weekly Win 1:05:30 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd and @Jess_the_therapy_mum Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

This week we're bringing a fictional case study. Meet "Dan"; a composite character who helps us walk through what pOCD (paedophilia-themed OCD) can actually look like in the room, and how CBT treatment unfolds session by session. We cover the pOCD loop, what it's like to help someone start their first gentle exposure, and the honest answer to the question so many people ask: "what if exposures just give me more intrusions?" We also talk openly about suicide risk in this population, the self-compassion work that has to sit alongside exposure, and why the answer is never "it's 50:50 whether you're a paedophile or not." It's not always a comfortable listen- but if you've ever had these thoughts, or you're a clinician working with someone who has, this one's for you. Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time Stamps: 00:41 Introduction to the episode 01:50 Overview of 'Dan' 05:30 What to ask Dan 07:25 Helping Dan to understand pOCD 08:55 Explaining the pOCD loop 14:23 A gentle exposure jump 16:30 Suicide risk discussion 19:20 Self-compassion and care that helps 21:00 Early experiments and challenges 24:24 pOCD-specific exposures 28:00 What if you get more intrusions? 31:10 Fun pOCD behavioural experiments 34:10 Take back your life from OCD 36:00 It's a bit shit but how do you get through it? 39:00 It isn't 50:50 on whether you are a p£dophile or not 40:42 What the next vignette is going to be 41:30 Get involved and goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

Autism and OCD overlap far more than most clinicians realise- but where does one end and the other begin? In this episode, Jess and Laura unpack the complex relationship between autism and OCD, exploring how to deliver truly neuroaffirming therapy without inadvertently encouraging masking. We break down the difference between autistic rumination and OCD rumination, explore sensory sensitivities through an OCD lens, and ask the hard question: can CBT actually harm neurodivergent clients if it's not adapted properly? We also talk shame, medical gaslighting, and what realistic therapy goals look like when autism and OCD co-occur. Whether you're autistic, OCD, both, or a clinician working with neurodivergent clients, this episode offers practical, validating guidance — plus your Weekly Wins, a listener question, and this week's Exposure Lab. Topics covered: neuroaffirming therapy, autism and OCD overlap, masking, autistic rumination vs OCD rumination, sensory processing and OCD, CBT adaptations for neurodivergence, medical gaslighting, therapy goal-setting Mentioned in this episode: Challenging OCD in Young People with ASD: A CBT Manual for Therapists, by Amita Jassi : https://amzn.eu/d/05SAWcc4 Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time Stamps: 00:50 Overview of the episode 02:27 Hello and catch up 10:40 Why this episode is focusing on autism 13:26 Brain Spam 17:50 Neurodivergence coocurrence with OCD 19:00 What is neuroaffirming therapy? 21:35 How common is the autism and OCD overlap? 25:15 What OCD and autism have in common 26:28 How OCD and autism differ 30:27 The Venn diagram of OCD and autism to plan therapy 33:24 Shame and low self-esteem around your brain 36:10 How hard it can be to get therapy for neurodivergence and mental health combined 39:30 Autistic experience with mental health is distinct 42:15 Can CBT harm neurodivergent people? 44:20 Autistic rumination and OCD 47:38 When is it helping you to feel safe, and when it makes OCD worse? 49:20 Validating autistic fears 52:00 Needing to be careful around masking 56:30 Sensory needs in OCD 58:00 Autistic health problems and medical gaslighting impact 59:30 There is hope 1:01:10 It has to be their goals 1:01:50 Logic to help 1:02:35 Practical guidelines for therapy 1:05:35 The 'dont's' for therapy 1:06:30 Look back at other episodes 1:07:00 Weekly Wins 1:08:50 Listener Question 1:13:40 Exposure Lab 1:18:40 We want to hear from you 1:19:10 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

Laura sits down with filmmaker Tamara Orlova to talk about her upcoming film Purely Obsessional; a project shining a light on Pure O OCD, one of the most misunderstood and under-represented forms of the disorder. Tamara shares her journey from journalism into screenwriting, why she chose film as the medium to tell this story, and how a fox became the unexpected symbol for OCD intrusive thoughts. The conversation gets personal as Tamara opens up about caregiver burnout, and how exhaustion from caregiving became the tipping point that triggered her own Pure O symptoms, long before she understood what OCD really was. She reflects on media misrepresentations of OCD, what she wants people to know about living with Pure O, and how making this film has helped her, and others, feel less alone. A must-listen for anyone touched by Pure O, caregivers navigating burnout, or anyone curious about how OCD really gets portrayed on screen. If you want to find out more about Tamara's work, follow her at https://www.instagram.com/tamaraoaikon/ or go to her website https://purelyobsessional.com/ Topics covered: Pure O OCD, caregiver burnout, filmmaking and mental health storytelling, OCD symbolism in film, media representation of OCD, journey to OCD diagnosis Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time Stamps: 01:25 Hello and introduction to Tamara 02:09 Brain Spam 03:25 Who Tamara is and her journey to film writing 06:30 Journalism vs Screenplay 08:26 Purely Obsessional, where it came from 11:42 Representing Pure O on film 13:21 Using a fox to symbolise OCD 14:45 Finding others with OCD 16:30 Helping people with OCD to feel less alone 17:12 What Tamara wants people to know about Pure O 19:09 Orchard OCD observations from Tamara 22:30 Media representations of OCD 25:10 How Tamara realised it was OCD 28:00 Advice for anyone with OCD 28:42 When the film is happening and where to follow to support the project 30:20 Goodbyes Tamara's Website: www.purelyobsessional.com Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

Ever googled a symptom at 2am and spiralled into full-blown catastrophe mode? This week we're unpacking health anxiety; what it actually is, how it overlaps (and doesn't) with OCD, and where somatic symptom disorder fits into the picture. We get into the key fears driving health anxiety, the sneaky compulsions that keep it going, and why "it's all in your head" is the worst possible thing to say to someone struggling with it. Plus: what happens when you have a genuine health condition on top of the anxiety, why neurodivergent folks are especially prone to health anxiety, and practical tips you can use today. As always, a Brain Spam, your Listener Question, a Win of the Week, and an Exposure Lab to send you off. In this episode: Health anxiety vs OCD: the similarities and the differences Somatic symptom disorder and how it shows up Treatment options that actually help Neurodivergence and health anxiety Practical tips and hints for managing it right now Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time Stamps: 01:00 What today's episode is about 02:30 Brain Spam 04:55 What health anxiety is and how to recognise it 08:55 Health anxiety and OCD differences and overlaps 12:35 Key themes and fears 13:20 Mistrust in medical professionals 15:45 Key fears and meaning of health anxiety 18:00 Common health anxiety compulsions 21:50 hypervigilance to vigilant 24:30 Rules you can make for health anxiety 28:15 Does therapy mean it is all in your head? 32:00 What if you have an actual health condition? 34:10 Stressed about the stress 35:20 What we are looking to reduce 41:15 Neurodivergence and health anxiety 45:20 What helps with health anxiety? 50:30 What are the goals of health anxiety therapy? 51:45 Tips for now 54:40 Listener Question 57:15 Win of the Week 57:48 Exposure Lab 59:55 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

OCD isn't about being neat and tidy, and it's not "just anxiety." In this episode, we break down what obsessive compulsive disorder actually is: what intrusive thoughts really are, what compulsions can look like, and why OCD themes can be so misunderstood. If you've ever wondered what to say (or not say) to someone with OCD, this one's for you. This is the episode to send to family, friends, colleagues — anyone who wants to understand OCD without googling their way into misinformation. Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time Stamps: 00:58 Introduction to the episode 02:52 What obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) really is 04:28 Everybody gets intrusive thoughts 06:00 What compulsions can be 07:17 What do the OCD themes mean? 10:00 Don't ask what the thoughts are 12:25 OCD or anxiety? What is the difference? 19:00 Why this episode? 22:05 You don't need to understand their OCD 25:05 What someone with OCD wants you to know 26:20 What therapy for OCD does 27:09 They haven't picked this 29:30 A message for loved ones of those with OCD 32:25 Common OCD themes 38:10 Contamination and just right OCD 42:30 Which episode themes you can check out 43:15 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

Harm OCD explained: two vignette case studies on intrusive thoughts of hurting other people or yourself Ever had a sudden, terrifying thought about hurting someone you love — or yourself? You're not alone, and it's more common than you think. In this Just Checking mini pod, OCD therapists Laura and Jess break down Harm OCD through two illustrative vignettes (fictional case studies, not real clients): a mum experiencing intrusive thoughts about harming her children, and a young person struggling with unwanted intrusive thoughts of harming themselves. Laura and Jess walk through how they'd approach exposure therapy and behavioral experiments for each vignette — covering psychoeducation, reassurance-seeking, family accommodation, thought-action fusion, distress tolerance, and interoceptive exposures. If you've ever wondered "is this OCD or am I actually dangerous?" — this episode is for you. In this episode: What Harm OCD looks like in real life (illustrated through vignettes) Why intrusive thoughts about harming loved ones don't mean anything about who you are How OCD therapists actually approach exposure therapy for harm-based fears Treating harm OCD when suicidal intrusive thoughts are involved Working with family accommodation and reassurance-seeking behaviors 🎧 New episodes weekly. Follow, rate, and subscribe so you never miss one. 📩 Got a topic you want us to cover? Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com or find us on Instagram & TikTok @justcheckingpod Disclaimer: Laura and Jess are OCD therapists, but not your OCD therapist. The cases discussed are fictional vignettes for illustrative purposes only and do not represent real clients. This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only and doesn't replace individual professional support. If you're struggling, please speak to your GP or a qualified mental health professional. Podcast by: Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

Does trauma cause OCD? We're answering the question everyone's been asking. This week Laura compares OCD to herpes (you'll have to listen to find out why), and we dig into the real relationship between trauma and OCD- including why OCD and PTSD get mixed up, what complex PTSD looks like alongside OCD, and how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) fits into treatment. We also tackle whether therapy itself can traumatise people, what recovery timelines actually look like, and answer your listener questions. Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time Stamps: 00:40 Episode overview 01:30 Introduction and hello 03:00 EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Therapy 04:15 Brain Spam 07:40 What is trauma? 11:19 Trauma and OCD links 17:00 Does trauma cause OCD? 19:20 Why OCD and PTSD get mixed up sometimes 23:50 Complex PTSD and OCD 28:20 How treatment looks for OCD and trauma combined 35:42 Why we might use the trauma to understand the OCD 39:45 Can you do EMDR online? 44:00 Can we traumatise people in therapy? 48:30 Treatment length and recovery expectations 50:25 Question from the Listeners 57:00 Weekly Wins 57:46 Exposure Lab 59:30 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

Sex and OCD; the topic everyone's thinking about but nobody wants to bring up in session. Jess and Laura get into how sex shows up across intrusive thoughts and compulsions, the impact on relationships and intimacy, and the trickier corners like groinal responses, kink fears, and bestiality-themed intrusions. They also talk SSRIs, communication, and why therapists need to get comfortable bringing sex into the room. Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Please be aware that this episode contains sexual themes, listener discretion advised. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support. Time Stamps: 00:40 What today covers 01:50 Hello and catch up 03:10 Brain Spam 06:34 How sex shows up in intrusive thoughts 09:50 Sex in compulsions 15:20 How common these thoughts can be 21:10 Communication around sex 26:03 The impact of OCD on relationships and intimacy 28:20 Casual relationships and dating 28:50 Bestiality fears 29:44 Groinal response 32:18 SSRIs, sex, and OCD 39:12 Fears around kink 42:00 How we bring sex into the therapy room 47:19 Trauma and sex with OCD 48:00 Culture, religion and values on sex and OCD 51:20 Question from the listeners 54:11 Weekly Win 54:50 Exposure Lab 56:36 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing

If your intrusive thoughts have ever convinced you that you're secretly dangerous- welcome to Harm OCD. This is the subtype that makes loving, gentle people terrified of their own minds. This week Jess and Laura dig into one of the most misunderstood and shame-soaked corners of OCD- where caring deeply about not hurting anyone gets twisted into "proof" that you might. Harm OCD can include a fear of harming others, yourself, or a fear that harm will/has come to others because of you- this episode explores it all. We talk about what these thoughts actually sound like, why "possible" doesn't mean "probable," and why your brain treats a passing thought like a five-alarm fire. We also get into the messier stuff- anger, allergy and poisoning fears, and the compulsions that quietly creep in when you're trying to "just be sure." Plus: what real exposure work looks like for harm OCD, how to rebuild trust in yourself, and why badly-pitched exposures can do more harm than good. As always, there's Brain Spam, an Exposure Lab, a listener question, and a bit of social media chaos courtesy of Laura. Trigger warning: Please note that this episode contains discussions around harm and suicide, so please listen with caution. Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time Stamps: 00:34 What we cover today 01:26 Hellos and introductions 02:42 Brain Spam 07:02 What harm OCD thoughts sound like 08:06 Compulsions in harm OCD 08:57 Harm OCD misunderstandings 10:00 What if you experience anger with harm OCD? 11:14 Common harm OCD themes 12:29 Possible vs probable 13:56 The meaning of harm OCD themes 16:10 Why does it feel so real? 18:10 How do we know you won't hurt someone? 19:45 OCD vs actual risk of harm 24:15 Common compulsions for harm OCD 28:44 Allergy and poisoning fears 29:39 What does therapy look like for harm OCD? 33:31 Harm exposures or behavioural experiments 35:07 Trusting yourself again 37:00 How exposures can be pitched wrong 39:00 Building up exposures and behavioural experiments 41:55 Harm OCD summary 43:15 Laura's social media backlash 44:30 Next episode teaser 45:40 Compassionate work and rebuilding your life 47:28 Question from the listeners 49:15 Exposure Lab 53:20 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

What does the latest OCD research actually tell us, and what does it mean for the people living with it and treating it? This week Jess and Laura dig into the key findings from the recent Orchard OCD International Conference, translating the science into something genuinely useful. They cover a lot of ground: the economic cost of OCD, which brain areas are involved and what that means for treatment, early signs in children, the genetics of OCD, body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs), and what mental health medications are actually targeting (and what questions you should be asking). Plus: mouse models, psychedelic research, PANDAS, secondary OCD, and what healthy lifestyle factors like sleep, diet, and exercise actually do for OCD symptoms. Jess also shares her pet peeves from the research (you'll want to hear those), and they round things off with listener questions, Weekly Wins, and an Exposure Lab challenge. Podcast by: Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time stamps: 00:00 Overview of the episode 01:00 Introduction and hellos 02:30 Brain Spam 05:30 Superstitions and OCD 08:10 Disclaimer 08:30 OCD's cost on the economy 09:20 Brain areas involved in OCD 10:57 Early detection, OCD signs in children 15:42 Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours: skin picking and hair pulling 19:57 How much OCD runs in families 21:30 What are mental health medications targeting and what types should we ask about? 25:33 Mouse research and implications 29:30 Psychedelic research and an OCD holiday 33:20 Onset ages of OCD and OCD genes 32:20 Secondary OCD and PANDAS 38:40 Healthy living and OCD; sleep, diet and exercise 39:45 How therapy can use this information 48:20 Sleep disorders in OCD 49:11 Neuroplasticity to help OCD 51:00 Jess' pet peeves from the research 53:00 Question from the listeners 53:48 Weekly Wins 54:42 Exposure Lab 55:33 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

For the first time ever, there are international guidelines for how OCD should be treated — and in this episode, we break them down. Fresh from the Orchard OCD International Conference, Jess and Laura unpack what these landmark guidelines actually say: which treatments are recommended, in what order, and what this means for people with OCD and the clinicians supporting them. From ERP and medication through to TMS and DBS, the guidelines bring global consensus to questions that have long been answered differently depending on where you live or who you see. Before they get there, they cover what the conference revealed about OCD neuroscience — brain imaging showing OCD as a network problem, gene mapping progress, biomarkers, and what the research says about how psychological treatments work on a neurological level. There's also a section on OCD in childhood, apps and neuroimaging, and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours. This is Part 1 of a series covering the conference — and it's a good one to start with. As always: Brain Spam, Weekly Wins, and a look at what's coming next. Podcast by Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Caveat Before we get started, a quick disclaimer. This episode is intended for educational and informational purposes only. We discuss a range of medical and therapeutic interventions used in OCD treatment, including medication and neuromodulation approaches such as TMS, DBS and tDCS. However, we are not medical doctors or prescribing professionals, and nothing in this episode should be taken as medical advice or a recommendation to pursue any particular treatment. We also mention some commercially available products and technologies. These references are provided for information only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or recommendation to purchase or use them. If you are considering any medical treatment, medication, or intervention discussed in this episode, please consult a suitably qualified healthcare professional who can advise you based on your individual circumstances. Timestamps: 00:34 Extra disclaimer 02:26 Catch up 02:48 Introduction to the episode 04:00 Brain Spam 08:33 Who are Orchard OCD? 13:25 Takeaways about OCD treatment choice 16:00 OCD treatment and costs 18:34 OCD in childhood and brain changes 20:00 Apps and neuroimaging 20:49 OCD as a brain network problem 22:26 Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and cognitive therapy work 24:00 Metacognitive Training 24:40 Biomarkers and precision psychiatry 25:30 Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours 27:39 The International Guidelines for OCD Treatment 46:30 How the guidelines can help people with OCD 49:25 How we plan to use the guidelines 52:40 What next? 54:06 Possible next episode themes 56:01 Weekly Wins 58:00 Goodbyes Links: Orchard OCD: https://www.orchardocd.org/ Orchard OCD Registry: https://orchardocdregistry.org/ CANMAT/ICOCS International Guidelines for OCD: https://icocs.org/2025-canmat-icocs-international-guidelines-for-the-management-of-patients-with-ocd/ Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

This week Jess is joined by Joshua Munn, a therapist specialising in OCD and ADHD, for a conversation that's long overdue on this podcast. They get into how to tell OCD and ADHD apart (spoiler: it's not always straightforward), why adapting ERP for ADHD brains actually makes therapy better for everyone, and how ACT and compassion-focused approaches fit into the picture. Expect honest chat about rejection sensitivity, executive functioning, hyperfixation shame, and why the goal was never a neurotypical brain anyway. Podcast by: Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Special guest Joshua Munn , OCD and ADHD specialist therapist Website: www.therapywithjosh.co.uk Social media: @ therapywith_josh on Instagram and @therapywithjosh on Tiktok Time stamps: 00:00 What to expect this episode 01:44 Introduction to Josh 02:50 Why Josh started working with OCD and ADHD 03:40 How to differentiate OCD and ADHD 05:50 Not aiming for a neurotypical brain 06:20 Rejection sensitivity and OCD 09:00 Imposter syndrome in ADHD and OCD 10:30 What executive functioning difficulties people may notice 12:40 ADHD adaptions for OCD therapy 17:00 What ACT therapy is and how it works with OCD and ADHD 22:00 Neurodivergence and parenting 25:33 Making ERP more ADHD friendly 27:30 Visualising characters for OCD 29:20 OCD leading to low mood in ADHD 31:00 ADHD and boredom 34:33 Neurodivergence and OCD Venn diagrams 36:56 Attention training and music 39:10 Hyperfixations and shame 39:35 Healthy guilt vs OCD guilt 42:52 Josh's favourite tips for OCD and ADHD 45:20 Session adaptions for people with ADHD 48:00 Being mindful of how much OCD content you consume 50:36 Considerations for medication 53:49 Question from the listeners 56:22 Exposure Lab 58:00 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

If you've found yourself Googling "does my child have OCD?" at 11pm, this episode is for you. This week, Laura takes the lead whilst her and Jess take a dive deep into OCD in children and young people — what it looks like, how it hides, and what actually helps. Whether you're a parent trying to make sense of what you're seeing, a young person wondering if what you're experiencing has a name, or a teacher noticing something feels off — this one's for you. They cover the signs parents and teachers often spot first (including one you really might not expect), the most common OCD themes in younger people, and how to have those early, important conversations without making things worse. There's also a genuinely hopeful message for young people who are in the thick of it right now. On the practical side: how to find a good therapist (and the questions to ask to make sure they actually know their stuff), what to expect from therapy sessions, how ERP works with younger clients, what to do if your young person refuses help, family accommodations, and co-regulation — because OCD is a whole-family thing. Plus: listener questions, the Exposure Lab, a brilliant book recommendation for the trickiest of situations, and Laura's reassurance game which is exactly as chaotic as it sounds. Podcast by: Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Timestamps: 01:35 – Hello and Greg's Anatomy facts 04:13 – Introduction to OCD in children and young people 07:05 – Just Checking merch 07:47 – Brain Spam 🧠 12:44 – Signs a parent might notice in their young person 18:22 – Key OCD themes in children and young people 22:49 – What early signs can a teacher spot? 26:50 – Jess's message of hope 28:05 – Laura's tip for young people who think they have OCD 31:50 – How to talk to your child about OCD concerns 36:40 – Family accommodations 39:18 – Co-regulation and modelling for your young person 40:40 – What if your young person doesn't want help? 43:38 – An amazing book for parents in this situation 46:00 – Tips for finding the right therapist 47:00 – What to expect in therapy and what gets shared with parents 49:00 – How ERP works with young people 52:00 – What if someone isn't ready for ERP? 55:48 – OCD onset and how to access help 1:00:30 – Tips on what you can request 1:02:14 – Medication for OCD 1:02:44 – Advocating as a parent and key resources 1:04:45 – Questions to scope out a good therapist 1:06:30 – Listener questions 1:08:52 – Exposure Lab 1:12:40 – Weekly Wins 1:13:26 – Goodbyes 📚 Resources mentioned: Because We Are Bad – Lily Bailey Natasha Daniels' videos How Josh Defeated the Worry Villain- www.reimaginetherapy.co.uk Can I Tell You About OCD? – Amita Jassi OCD Tools to Help You Fight Back – CBT workbook for young people Break Free from Childhood Anxiety and OCD – Eli Lebowitz The SPACE Programme Laura's website: Counselling Service North London | Laura Mole Counselling | England OCD-UK: ocduk.org OCD Action: ocdaction.org.uk Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

If you Googled something terrifying about your baby and ended up here, you're in the right place. This week Jess and Laura are talking about one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed presentations of OCD — perinatal OCD. Whether you're pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this one's for you. We get into why OCD loves to latch onto the thing you love most, what's actually happening in your brain and body during the perinatal period, and why so many people suffer in silence. We talk about that fear directly, and what advocating for you actually looks like. From the most common perinatal presentations to what therapy actually looks like in this season of life — including why regulation comes before challenging OCD — this episode covers the full picture. We also talk maternity leave grief, secure attachment, parenting values, and we close with a note from someone who has been where you might be right now, and come out the other side. You are not a bad parent. Your thoughts are not your character. And you are not alone in this. Podcast by Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time stamps 00:36 Shout out to followers 01:10 Things you might have Googled with perinatal OCD 02:26 Introductions and shout out to Josh Fletcher 09:48 Introduction to perinatal OCD 10:44 Brain Spam 13:30 Prioproceptive input 15:50 Matrescence and mental health 20:00 Increased responsibility and vulnerability to OCD 22:05 Hormone shifts and OCD 23:52 Why OCD latches to the baby 24:30 Traumatic births and what you expect to feel 26:50 Birth planning and expectations 29:40 Preparing for pregnancy with OCD 31:30 Perinatal mental health team involvement 23:45 Building a village 36:07 Main OCD presentations in OCD 38:30 How common these intrusive thoughts are 39:20 What makes it OCD 42:30 Why we need more awareness of this 44:00 What if they report things to social services? 46:00 How we can advocate for you 48:00 What risk do we check more? 49:33 Options for support 50:55 Therapy for perinatal OCD; how it looks 52:00 Regulation before challenging OCD 54:00 Grieving maternity leave ideas and living like you value 58:21 Secure attachments and OCD 1:01:50 Prioritising parenting values 1:04:03 Responsive self-care lists 1:04:40 A note from someone who is recovered from perinatal OCD 1:05:23 Questions from the listeners 1:08:25 Key takeaways for perinatal OCD 1:09:00 Helpful resources and support websites 1:10:24 Exposure Lab 1:12:48 Weekly Wins Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd and her perinatal page @jess_the_therapy_mum Please check out our privacy policy https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support. Resources mentioned: Jess’ perinatal mental health Instagram: @jess_the_therapy_mum Birth Rights: Birthrights - your human rights during pregnancy and maternity care OCDUK: OCD-UK | A national OCD charity, run by, and for people with lived experience of OCD IOCDF Perinatal OCD Resource Centre: Perinatal OCD Resource Center To Help People Find Relief Maternal OCD UK: Welcome to Maternal OCD Postpartum Support International: Postpartum Support International - PSI The Breastfeeding Network (medication guidance): Drugs in Breastmilk factsheets - The Breastfeeding Network

Got OCD questions? Same. This week Jess and Laura tackle the listener mailbag from Laura's Tiktok live— covering how to get tested for OCD, accessing treatment, the serotonin myth, the OCD-ADHD connection, contamination OCD, and false attraction. Laura shares an insight into her feelings around her own OCD journey. There's also a free children's resource on neurodivergence, a children's book on intrusive thoughts, and Jess' entirely predictable over-preparation for an OCD research conference. Podcast by Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time stamps 00:00 Hello chat 01:29 Introductions 07:30 Children's book for intrusive thoughts 09:30 A free resource for children to understand neurodivergence 12:30 OCD research conference and Jess' over-preparation 14:33 Brain Spam 18:18 Laura's Tiktok live for questions 19:52 How do you get tested for OCD 24:44 How do I get help for OCD? 32:44 Is OCD just a lack of serotonin? 37:56 Can OCD and ADHD correlate? 46:40 I can't touch anything my family have touched because I know it will kill them- how do I stop that? 47:55 I feel like myself intrusive thoughts reflect real feelings, they feel so real 51:20 Can you explain false attraction and false urges? 54:35 Exposure Lab 1:01:00 Teaser for next week and goodbyes For the book mentioned in the episode today, you can find it at www.reimaginetherapy.co.uk Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

This week Jess and Laura tackle one of the most stigmatised “taboo” OCD subtypes around — POCD, - and because we don’t want to get shadow banned, we will refer to it as “PDF File” – but we are not using this term as avoidance, or to avoid triggering anyone - just so you know! It shows up most as intrusive, unwanted sexual thoughts, images, doubts, words about children. This is the one that sends people spiralling in shame and silence instead of reaching out for help. They break down what it actually is (and crucially, what it isn't), why groinal responses happen, what recovery looks like, and why the fact that these thoughts horrify you matters more than you think. This is an episode that will not only help you to feel less alone, but it will highlight exactly how to ask for help, and where to get it. Plus, Jess finally gets Laura crying on the podcast. Podcast by Laura Mole , Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes , Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson Time stamps 01:39 Hellos and introductions 02:59 Brain Spam 07:00 Peadophilia vs POCD 10:45 A message for people supporting those with POCD 17:58 How can pOCD look? And a little note on incest thoughts 28:37 What is a groinal response and why does it happen? 35:10 Shame in POCD 41:54 Recommended help and resources 46:20 When POCD pairs up with other themes 49:10 What does recovery look like? 51:10 Statistics about types of thoughts 53:23 Final tips 55:40 Weekly Win 58:52 Exposure Lab 1:02:00 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd Please check out our privacy policy https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

Description: ⚠️ Content warning: this episode contains discussion of suicidal ideation and themes that some listeners might find distressing. pOCD — pedophilia-themed OCD — is one of the most misunderstood and stigmatised subtypes out there, and Molly Lambert has lived it. In this episode, Molly shares what her intrusive thoughts actually looked and felt like: from existential anxiety to fears about being a paedophile, magical thinking, emotional checking, and the spiral that nearly broke her. She talks honestly about suicidal ideation, how TikTok helped her find her way, what it took to finally share her thoughts with others — and what acceptance can actually look like on the other side. Laura, Jess and Molly also dig into how common pOCD really is, why it tends to hit the people it does, how therapy helped, and why Molly now advocates publicly for OCD awareness (including how she handles the inevitable backlash). Plus: postpartum mums and pOCD, the role of drinking and distraction, and Molly gets involved in the Brain Spam feature 🧠 Podcast by Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Featuring Molly Lambert, OCD and mental illness advocate Edited by Christian Nickson Timestamps : 01:00 Hellos 01:30 Introducing Molly Lambert 02:57 What were Molly's thoughts like? From existential anxiety to paedophile fears 05:20 Magical thinking and checking emotions 09:20 When the pOCD started to spiral 14:40 How common is pOCD and why does it happen? 16:45 Thinking about suicide 17:30 What helped Molly realise it was OCD? 19:30 How drinking and distractions fit in 20:50 How TikTok helped 23:45 Other themes sneaking in 25:30 Starting to share the thoughts with others 28:30 Sharing with family 30:10 Advice for sharing — and Molly's experience of others' reactions 31:20 Therapy for Molly's OCD 35:47 Pursuing an OCD diagnosis 41:15 What acceptance can look like 45:00 Laura's OCD Doris 46:00 OCD help needs to be personalised 47:15 Molly's advocacy work for OCD 53:12 How Molly deals with negative feedback online 58:00 Postpartum mums and pOCD 1:04:50 How do Molly's friends and family help? 1:07:00 Where to find information and support 1:12:12 What did 15-year-old Molly need to hear? 1:14:33 Brain Spam 1:18:50 Wins of the Week 1:20:00 Avoidance in pOCD 1:20:25 Exposure Lab 1:22:30 Goodbyes Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD Instagram and Tiktok pages: @jess_helps_your_ocd and @ocdtherapylaura Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. Disclaimer This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.