OCD Straight Talk

2 Tasks in Treating OCD

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris breaks down a case and shows 2 important tasks or overlapping stages in most every treatment process for OCD.

Does Stop Compulsions REALLY Mean Stop?

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris introduces a new sponsor to OCDST, shares a story of a recent session in which a patient balked at the shorthand directive, "Stop compulsions;" ...

OCDSpace.com

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris sits down with Zach Westerbeck to discuss OCDSpace.com, and Oscar - - the world's very first clinically trained AI OCD coach. Start your 7-day f...

Tolerance & Patience: Where OCD Goes to Die

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris presents a combination of actions or attitudes that he doesn't often discuss together on OCD Straight Talk. Ritual prevention is the key to mana...

How Do USE Uncertainty?

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris provides examples of how he logically works through the maze of objections and obsessional responses as patients try to resist compulsions and a...

I Want to Arm You with Hope

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the story of how and when he got into OCD-work and realized the need for a "straight talk" podcast that focused on educating and empow...

It's Been a Minute. Welcome Back, Dawg

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris adds to his ART of exposure therapy acronym and continues his oft-recited anthem the "Any behavior can be a compulsion." And he does it all stal...

The Negative & Positive Symptoms of OCD

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris presents a case of a new patient, learning skills but suffering intense symptoms. And he plays fast and loose with a term typically used to deac...

Are You Sure? How to STOP Seeking Reassurance

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris fields a question about seeking reassurance - - the how to's and the rationale for saying good-bye to that pesky compulsion.

Jesus Is King

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris declares his faith in, and pledges his allegiance to Jesus.

The ART of Exposure Therapy

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris presents and explains the acronym, ART in the ART of Exposure Therapy.

When You Can't Win for Losing

23 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a case that involves both so-called Meta OCD and perfectionism. This patient fears never getting better and therefore the fear of doin...

Reprised: The Only 3 Tools You Need

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris reprises a point from the last episode.

The Top Subtypes to Explain OCD-Work to Everyone

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris names the top OCD Subtypes to use as a backdrop to explain the conceptual and therapeutic skills needed to beat any subtype of OCD.

Magical Thinking

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris recreates a conversation he recently had with a patient about her superstitious fears. He works to showcase some of the cognitive techniques he ...

"Trust the Process"

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris talks about a case from 10 years ago, and a fear that the patient would have done well to realize. Kentuckyocd.com

Intrusive Thoughts REQUIRE Assumptions

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris talks through the assumptions we have to make in order to build and believe the nature of our intrusive thoughts. kentuckyocd.com

3 Challenges of ERP for OCD

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris identifies three common pitfalls or challenges that face the average patient engaging ERP for OCD symptoms.

Help! My Loved One Just Won't Get Better, Pt. 2

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses another 'etreme' case in which OCD is "running the house."

Help! My Loved One Just Won't Get Better, Pt. 1

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a case example of an OCDer who has not made progress, despite many opportunities and much patience on the part of his family. The ques...

A Tale of Two Patients

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the importance not only of the 5 Pillars, but of the grit and resilience required of patients in order to successfully adhere to them....

How Did ERP Come to Be?

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris unpacks the history of ERP, and discusses some of the particulars of the 1966 study that marked the founding of what would become the world's Go...

What Makes an OCD Therapist A Good One?

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris answers the question, What makes a good OCD therapist? The answer is multifaceted, and it might surprise you. Feel free to reach out with any qu...

How to CHEAT your OCD

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the YBOCS-II Cheat Sheet. The question isn't how do you cheat on the YBOCS-II test; it's how do you cheat the OCD, itself.

Lindsay & Emily from PRESENTLY

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris sits down with Lindsay and Emily Stetzer from Presently to discuss managing OCD, ajd growing a business while doing it.

Can You Tell Me Everything I Need to Know in 20 Minutes?

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris describes three interdependent ideas that make up good therapy for OCD.

Will AI One Day Be My Therapist?

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the idea of ChatGPT's understanding of the evidence-based treatment for OCD, complete with its ability to generate treatment plans and...

Should ALL Therapists be Trained as Specialists?

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris spitballs about the ongoing problem, albeit now much smaller problem comparative to 10 years ago: that many patients consume services from the l...

You Are OCD's Kryptonite

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris shares a childhood story that made him feel vulnerable and scared. Beating OCD is about recognizing that you have a tremendous advantage. Your O...

Skill-Growth Starts Where Your Need to be Great at This ENDS

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris shares a bit about his journey with training Jiu Jitsu and being really bad at it. But growth truly started when he relieved himself of the expe...

What Would You Tomorrow Want You Today To Do?

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses his past, present and future. And he looks toward the coming year with an eye on living his life on purpose.

A Case Conundrum: Why Is She NOT Getting Better?

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a case.

If OCD Were A Stray Dog

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris describes OCD as a stray dog and you as a caring citizen. You're a good dude, and so you offee the poor dog some food. and that's nice of you. B...

What Is The True Gift of Therapy?

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris takes on the reality that some therapists work to get patients better, not equipping them with tools and strategies needed to maintain their pro...

What is Your Biggest Obstacle to Getting Better?

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris talks through two major challenges to making real and lasting progress with OCD and the anxiety-related disorders. The first challenge is learni...

I Got Dirt on Ya: Contamination OCD

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses some of the gears and guts of working with Contamination-OCDers. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to Chris@Ke...

I'm Not Sure It's Really Romance: Relationship-OCD

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses Relationship OCD, its faces and presentations, and gives some practical tips on what to do if that's YOU. Feel free to reach out with...

It Just Feels WRONG: Just-Right OCD

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses so-called Just-Right OCD and the feeling that task didn't get completed right. He also presents some variations of Just-Right OCD and ...

I'm Sick! And Nobody Knows It but Me

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses Illness Anxiety Disorder, and provides a look at the many ways this condition affects patients. He provides examples and shows how som...

The Final Question & The One Piece of Advice

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris presents and explains a question he asks patients in therapy that is intended to help them summarize in short-form what they're learning in ...

The Lens Grows Bigger

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris shares some of his own experiences with OCD, and discusses some common experiences others have with seeing around the OCD-lens. Feel free to re...

65.7% Threat Level before Compulsion. What after?

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a conversation with a listener seeking reassurance, and explains a tool that he gave her. As he's said before, uncertainty is your...

It's You Against YOU: OCD is a Closed System

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the idea of OCD being an obsession much more with uncertainty than a concern with objective danger. Feel free to reach out with any q...

Exposures Are Opportunities to Practice Skills

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris explains the concept that exposures are really just opportunities to practice skills that allow you to interact with your anxiety-system in a di...

A Self-Perpetuating System of Symptoms: the Cognitive Model

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris shares several case studies related to clinical anxiety and works to show you what they have in common so that you can better understand how to ...

Understanding OCD through Newton's First Law of Motion

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses cracking the OCD code in this latest episode, and further applies the cognitive model to understanding, and gaining control over anxie...

Solving A Problem Starts with Understanding It

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris continues the series on striving to equip you to treat yourself by discussing the Cognitive Model. It's true that it's a basic concept ....

Bonus Episode: On Getting YOURSELF Better

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris talk about the future of the podcast, and the use of OCDST as a means of learning and practicing skills to get yourself better. Feel free to rea...

Become Your Own Behavior Therapist

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris begins a new series with Dr. B and encourages listeners to begin the process of becoming their own behavior therapists.

AI and the Future of OCD Treatment

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris opines about the future of mental healthcare in general and OCD treatment in particular. Given the slow but steady, technological development of...

Perfectionism: Allow Yourself to Make A Mistake

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a unique form of OCD that is, at the same time, common to the population: Perfectionism. In this case, it's not as straight forwar...

Keep Your Head When OCD Wants You to Lose Your Mind

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris shares a recent episode he had with OCD and anxiety and works to discuss, frame by frame: what should you do when OCD sets a trap for you and it...

When You Have No Idea That "That Thing" was OCD All Along

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discloses his own ongoing struggle with OCD, and talks about a recent conversation with a patient during which he realized an off-the-beaten-tra...

Increasing Your Quality of Life by Doing It "Backwards"

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a menagerie of concepts in this episode, and works to bring them together for OCD-sufferers everywhere. Feel free to reach out with a...

Make Yourself Impervious to Chronic Anxiety

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a phenomenon evident in the population nowadays that some people prefer to cut corners and find a quick fix for their anxiety. The tro...

Using Behavioral Techniques to Feel Better about Yourself

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses using the basic and core concepts of OCD and anxiety treatment for the purpose of increasing self-esteem. Feel free to reach out with...

How Do I Spoil My Compulsion?

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses two ways, one motor and one metal with examples, as to how you might work to spoil compulsions that you've just engaged. Feel free...

Get Started! How to Build My Hierarchy

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses some specifics of how to build a working hierarchy. But nothing will replace your grit and resilience.

OCD - the C = ERP

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a few cliches that inform his work in therapy in order to orient and empower patients and listeners as to the "active ingredient&...

The Trifecta of Ingredients Yields the Right Result

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the correct way to do exposure therapy and continues the discussion on why many people don't get what they want from the process: ...

MicroCompulsions: the Rituals You DON'T See

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the reality that people fall back on the habits that they know when the anxiety-related "shit hits the fan." They're going to use the ...

Pull the "C" out of the OCD

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris encourages listeners with the idea that they don't "have to" do compulsions, explaining that often people confuse intrusive though...

The Ultimate OCD Hack

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the OCD and anxiety disorders hack: that thoughts and feelings following the leadership of behavioral patterns. There are a few pitfal...

OCD Straight Talk: The Backstory

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses some personal experiences that led to the launching of OCDST in March of 2020. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might hav...

Is It Objective Danger or OCD?

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris recaps several concepts that raise the question: How do you tell the difference between OCD and objective danger? While a number of answers coul...

I Got Anxiety but Not OCD

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris responds to an oft' repeated phrase, "Well, I have anxiety, but I don't have OCD. And for fun, he also addresses several myths and ...

What Causes A Relapse of OCD?

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses several ideas and studies, and works through conversations he typically has with patients at various points of the clinical process. ...

Do Intrusive Thoughts Show Up Differently for Some People?

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris responds to a listener's question regarding how obsessions or intrusive thoughts might be experienced differently across the OCD-population....

How Can Family Members Help OCDers?

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the difference between the style and persona of a good OCD-therapist and the supportive way of a truly helpful family member. It's...

Obsession + Evidence + Possibility = Oh Sh*t?

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris presents the idea that there's always some evidence, some reason to perceive intrusive thoughts as reality. This coupled with the reasonable pos...

How Do I "Get Rid" of My Thoughts?

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris presents a conversation he often has with patients at the beginning of treatment. Expectations are powerful things, including if they're unr...

What Exactly Is OCD?

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris presents a definition for OCD that extends outside of the diagnostic criteria. "Why?," you might wonder. The answer is because the dia...

Focus More; Ruminate Less - Here's How

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses an attentional principle that is readily observable for most people. You can't both ruminate and engage the goings-on of the here-...

The Versatility of Behavior-Change, Pillar 5

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a personal journey with interpersonal boundaries, confrontation, and self-esteem. He chronicles a time he confronted a person in his l...

Pillar 4 is about Letting Go of Both Thoughts & Compulsions

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris presents by starting with a question that lingers in the air at this point: What am I supposed to do about my intrusive thoughts? The answer ma...

What's So Wrong with Trying to Manage Risk?

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener responds to Pillar 3 with a question. Chris responds. There's ALWAYS risk; but there's only sometimes danger. Listen to find out mo...

Accepting Uncertainty Reduces Your Need for Compulsions, Pillar 3

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris explains a logical dynamic that goes two ways: the more we have a felt need for certainty, the harder we pursue it. And we pursue it, of course,...

"Practice Makes Perfect," Pillar 2

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris recaps Pillar 1 with a few subtype-examples, and moves to Pillar 2. This is the idea of "reps," or repetitions. Doing something over a...

You Gotta Go to Therapy, Pillar 1

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris tackles the first of the Five Pillars, showing that generally OCDers generally don't make a lot of progress without structured, expert help....

What is My Role in Getting Better?

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris launches a new series on the role of the patient or the listener in the process of getting better. He reviews a document, forged from clinical e...

When OCD Turns Itself Inside-Out and Backward

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a couple of cases that illustrate that idea that sometimes OCD and anxiety disorders flip the script on you, and completely change the...

You Need Both Will and Strategy

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Life's a fight!" Chris discusses a personal slogan and explains what that means in the context of OCD. Fighting means both the will to win and a stra...

Everybody's Pure-O ... Sometimes

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris responds to a listener's question about the ever-popular topic, Pure-O. He highlights the concept of identifying compulsions; as Pure-Oers d...

Mistakes You're Probably Making in Exposure Therapy

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Building off of the last two episodes, Chris discusses common errors made in exposure-work. These concepts aren't new to the podcast; but they are...

Chris Conducts an Imaginal Exposure ... on Himself

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Chris faces his relationship-OCD and does what's called, an imaginal exposure. Feel free to reach out with any questions you mig...

The Four Bosom Buddies of Good Exposure Therapy

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris talks through a few erroneous but common ideas of exposure therapy. These are mistakes made by both consumers and inexperienced therapists. He t...

When OCD Says "This" Means "That"

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses fears and case-examples that involve physical symptoms and environmental experiences, and that the OCD says "this" is eviden...

Is My Anxiety Interfering with My Sex Life?

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses some literature and case-examples relative to how anxiety- and OCD-symptoms can interfere with individuals' sex life. Most notably...

Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT of Your Anxiety Toolkit

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris sits down with Kimberley Quinlan of the great podcast, Your Anxiety Toolkit. They discuss various topics from the history of their careers and s...

2 Rules of Thumb: the Difference between OCD and Skin Picking Disorder

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris responds to a listener's question about the difference between OCD and excoriation disorder. This is an important question, because many OCD...

The Chain is Only as Strong as its Weakest Link

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris finishes the series on SCAMP and the Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors. In this episode, he focuses on the last two trigger-categories (Movement...

Manage Feelings; but F*** Anxiety

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris continues to series on OCD-Related disorders, this time talking through the "A" (for Affect) in the acronym SCAMP. The important idea ...

Talking Back to Thoughts in Hair-Pulling and Skin-Picking Disorders

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris continues the series on skin picking and hair-pulling habits, focusing on Charlie Mansueto's SCAMP concept: Successful treatment of excoriation ...

You Play Offense for OCD. You Play Defense for Skin-Picking and Hair Pulling Disorders

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Chris starts off by re-emphasizing the importance of identifying and preventing relevant behaviors when dealing with a number of comm...

Got Triggered? What Now?

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses evidence-based strategies for dealing with triggers relative to the anxiety-related disorders, like PTSD, OCD, Specific Phobia, etc., ...

What Do I Do When I Don't REALIZE I'm Doing Compulsions?

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris poses a question of what OCDers are to do when they are engaging such habitual and routine compulsions that they can't stop doing them? Fee...

It's about Tolerating the Itch and Stopping the Scratching Response

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the idea that a lot of people tolerate the scratching behavior with the hope of getting rid of the itch. But success in the fight agai...

Grit & Resilience in Your Fight Against OCD

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses patients who demonstrate grit and resilience in the therapeutic journey. Being willing and able to tolerate psychoemotive distress is ...

It's Easier to Act Yourself into a New Way of Thinking Than It Is to Think Yourself into a New Way of Acting

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses a general principle that applies not just to the management of OCD and anxiety-related symptoms, but to problems and conditions that p...

Why Do I Have These Intrusive Thoughts?

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris discusses the question of why individuals experience certain intrusive thoughts? In this context, he also presents the value of embracing uncert...