When someone uses exposure and response prevention and are facing their fears; they essentially are acting like the perceived fear/threat doesn't matter. Thus taking power away from it. I have individuals pretend they are in acting or in film school. It is time to do their final project in front of the class. You have to prove that the fear you are facing through ERP does not scare you. Depending on how you act, facial expressions, body language and the effort you put into it; would they believe you? What grade would you get for your final project?

Topics discussed:

• How to be an actor or actress with your OCD
• See an example of an exposure and how to act
• See an example of how to not do an exposure
• How to resist compulsions
• What your OCD learns after you use ERP

OCD is like a MAGIC TRICK! It will entice you to figure out how it's done. Your brain goes into problem-solving mode. Sometimes it won't stop until there is a conclusion. This is EXACTLY what OCD does! It draws you in and sends you through loops until you gain certainty on your OCD fear or topic. Watch me do some real magic tricks and figure out if you are getting fooled by your OCD.

The following topics are covered:

• How OCD sucks you in!
  
• How you can get fooled by your OCD!
  
• How OCD can dazzle and confuse you!
  
• How it convinces you to do a compulsion.
  
• Learn your job with your OCD.

Remember to "Face The Unknown"

DISCLOSURE: Although I am a licensed therapist. This video is not intended to replace medical advice. This is for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a local mental health professional.

Have you asked for reassurance from a loved one and they have no idea that they just reassured you? This is an example of a sneaky compulsion. Are you doing them?


The following topics are covered:
----What Sneaky compulsions look like.
?Example of sneaky compulsions.
?What is a compulsion?
?Why doing a compulsion is dangerous.
?Reassurance Seeking
?Avoidance
?Talking about your OCD story can be helpful and harmful.
?What your job is when a loved one accommodates or reassures you.
?How our brain is designed to react to anxiety.
?Comparing problem-solving and having a headache.

Remember to "Face The Unknown" ?

DISCLOSURE: Although I am a licensed therapist. This video is not intended to replace medical advice. This is for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a local mental health professional.

Did you know there is a difference between doing an exposure or using ERP and just being exposed? ? I hear many individuals say that they've been doing exposures when really they've just been exposed.
Do you know the difference?
Let's go through the difference between being exposed vs. doing an exposure and make your ERP more effective.
Remember to "Face The Unknown" ?​

DISCLOSURE: Although I am a licensed therapist. This video is not intended to replace medical advice. This is for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a local mental health professional.

He grabs the door. He pulls once with his left hand and then once with his right. He sits waiting for the bus; the left near the window won't due, he must sit in the middle. Tap tap goes his left foot. Tap tap goes his right. The teacher hands out markers. The little girl next to him hands her six. Six is not right, he quickly hands one back. He waits for his mom to pick him up. His eyes scan the corners of the building. One, two, three, four; he counts to himself. All is safe. All is right in his little world controlled by symmetry OCD.

The subtle movements to balance the body, the small gestures to tap just right. The mental games hidden in the dark recesses of the mind. It is often only discovered after years of balancing. Years of counting. Years of compulsions. Let’s talk about how to spot Symmetry OCD who have this OCD theme.

​Bloopers at the end indicate vulnerability. None of us are perfect and it's important to show and embrace our imperfections. ?