Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can affect every aspect of your life. Podcasts are a great way to hear from others about their OCD story and how they deal with it. From looking for practical advice from a licensed practitioner or wanting to hear from others, here are several OCD podcasts for you to listen to.
1. The OCD Stories
This top-rated podcast got its start after host Stuart Ralph realized that those with OCD often don’t get the treatment, resources, or information they need. “On average it takes people 17 years to get treatment for OCD after the first experience of symptoms. In the meantime symptoms often get worse, and the person’s quality of life suffers. All while being in the dark about what is going on. This is made worse by society having an inaccurate view of what OCD actually is,” Ralph writes.
Each episode offers export advice, accurate information, and stories from others with OCD.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
2. The Invisible Wheelchair Podcast
“I wish they could see my invisible wheelchair, maybe then they would understand what I am going through and stop giving me trouble.”
That’s how one teen client described her OCD experience to Donald Grothoff, a family OCD coach. The experience inspired him to start his podcast to help others with OCD share their experiences, as well as offer advice and coping skills.
Listen on the website or at Apple Podcasts.
3. Sooo OCD Podcast
Wendy Nunnery shares her personal journey with OCD while interviewing experts, counselors, and sharing others’ OCD stories. Nunnery hopes her podcast helps others with OCD not just survive, but thrive.
This podcast is still relatively new, so you can easily start from the beginning with her season one series on healing or jump right into a recent interview. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
4. The FearCast
From the fear keeping you from finding help or the fear that your symptoms will negatively affect your life, fear of our mental health issues can keep us from moving past them.
Kevin Foss, MFT, wants to alleviate some of those fears with his question-and-answer podcast format. Who knows; you may find someone has already asked the question you’ve been avoiding when it comes to your OCD.
Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
5. AT Parenting Survival Podcast
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual. It certainly doesn’t come with one for raising anxious children or children with OCD. Natasha Daniels is a child therapist with three anxious children of her own.
She put together the AT Parenting community to help parents with the skills they need to provide compassionate, understanding care to their children. Episode topics range from helping children develop self-compassion to setting up stress-free routines during the summer.
Listen on Apple Podcasts.
6. Your Anxiety Toolkit
Technically, Kimberley Quinlan’s mental health podcast is about dealing with anxiety and finding the coping skills you need to work through it. That said, you may find her advice, tips, and expert interviews helpful with all kinds of mental health concerns, from depression, anxiety, and of course, OCD.
Listen on the website or at Apple Podcasts.
7. Take Your Shoes Off
Comedian Rick Glassman suffered from intense OCD as a child, and his podcast is a response to his need for order in a world where everyone keeps their shoes on, so to speak. This podcast invites listeners to relax, put their feet up and listen to others’ stories, even when it’s uncomfortable, like when actor Joel McHale spills milk on Glassman’s rug.
This tongue-in-cheek, celebrity-studded podcast isn’t from a psychiatrist or life coach, but sometimes a good laugh with others who understand is exactly what our mental health needs.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
8. Mentally Yours
Ellen Scott and Yvette Caster, who both deal with their own mental illnesses including bipolar, depression, and OCD, chat with folks from across the scale, from shop workers to celebrities, about their mental health.
Both are familiar with how isolating mental health can be, so they created their podcast to give those struggling a place to share their story.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
9. Being Well
Dr. Rick Hansen’s export advice podcast is on all aspects of mental health and wellbeing, from OCD to depression and more. Mental health is never an isolated incident, so diving into Dr. Hansen’s podcast can be good for those looking to improve all aspects of their mental health as well as their OCD. Learn inner strengths, overcome challenges, and cultivate your well-being with this podcast.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
10. The OCD Whisperer
Kristina Orlova is a trained, licensed therapist who deals with OCD herself. “My mission is to help my fellow OCD global community get access to the very specialized training. No matter where you are in the world, no matter how remote, I am here for you!”
Her podcast offers easy tidbits of advice designed to help you best find what works for you when managing your OCD.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
11. OCD Recovery
Ali Greymond’s daily OCD podcast offers tips, tricks, and coping skills to help you live your best life with OCD. Listeners are generally impressed with her advice.
“She has a very engaging way of speaking that makes you want to join her in her effort to put scary thoughts in their place. It’s almost like she is a non-judgmental parenting coach for people who’ve gotten into a bad habit of letting their toddler have too much control,” one listener said.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
When to See a Therapist for OCD
If you’re feeling like your OCD is negatively impacting your life, friendships, or work, it may be time to see a therapist. They can help you manage your symptoms and cultivate the skills you need to get through life with OCD. Find a therapist in your area today.
Additional Resources
- Mental Health America
- National Alliance on Mental Health
- MentalHealth.gov
- Online Therapist Directory: Sort therapists by specialty, cost, availability and more. Watch intro videos and see articles written by the therapists you’re considering working with. When you’ve found a good match, book an online therapy appointment with them directly.
Are you ready to connect with a therapist but feel a little overwhelmed by all your options? Speak with one of Choosing Therapy’s Client Navigators. Client Navigators are mental health professionals who will listen to what you’re looking for in a therapist and help pair you with the best possible fit. Getting started is free, easy, and confidential.
