There is nothing more disruptive and upsetting than OCD latching on to a loved one. Contamination isn’t just about germs - it can be about people, people our kids love. Families get thrown into chaos when OCD decides a parent or sibling is the source of contamination. Out of all themes, this one has the power to upend the entire family. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast I explore how OCD determines family members are contaminated and what parents can do to counteract the...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Struggling with Anxiety and OCD can make kids feel hopeless. Hopelessness can lead to depression and a lack of motivation to work on their issues. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I explore what causes hopelessness in our kids with OCD and anxiety and what we can do to help them navigate those emotions. Click here to listen Join me this weekend for an OCD Game Changers Event in Arizona Come listen to me and 3 others share their lived experiences with anxiety and OCD. Event is...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, If you’ve ever struggled to create and stick to an exposure plan for a child, teen, or young adult with OCD, I have something that will make the process so much easier! ✨ Introducing the OCD Exposure Planner! ✨ This digital planner helps you: ✔️ Develop and organize a full month of exposure exercises ✔️ Identify the OCD theme and core fear to target ✔️ Ensure exposures are effective (including response prevention!) ✔️ Create a structured schedule to track progress ✔️ Build a...
26 days ago • 1 min read
I quickly fell in love with Mel Robbins’ book The Let Them Theory. It is such a simple, and yet powerful approach to living your life. Throughout the book I thought about how The Let Them Theory could be adapted to parents, and in particular, those of us raising kids with anxiety or OCD. I started to implement this approach with my kids in a child friendly way. It made a huge impact on how I showed up for their anxiety and OCD struggles. It also helped me let go of what I cannot control. In...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
OCD can ruin many things in your life, but one of the biggest is relationships. Is your OCD focusing on a family member or loved one? OCD can make anything contaminated including the people you love and care about. It is a slippery slope to play by OCD’s rules. It might feel like you are getting OCD relief by avoiding anything that is contaminated, including your family member, but in the end it will cause even more OCD struggles.Join me in this week’s YouTube video as I talk about how...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Not every OCD theme is about a fear, sometimes it is about a feeling. That is the case with Tourettic OCD. Tourettic OCD is not triggered by an intrusive thought, but rather a somatic urge. Compulsions can include sudden, repetitive movements or vocalizations. It can be tricky to figure out what is a tic and what is tourettic OCD. That is why I invited Dr. John Piacentini to the show. Dr. John Piacentini is a Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA School of Medicine...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
There is nothing more powerful than having all the knowledge to spot a good anxiety or OCD therapist a mile away because you are that skilled. Get empowered to help your child or teen directly There is nothing more empowering than having a group of hundreds of parents give you advice when you have a meeting with the school, therapist or doctor.There is nothing more rewarding than finding out exactly where to start and how to respond to your child’s anxiety or OCD struggles.Want to feel...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
The email usually starts with, “Oh no! I just saw this. Is it possible…” and inevitably it is someone begging me to keep the doors to the AT Parenting Community open after they’ve been closed. I don’t want that to be you. Some parents sit with a decision for a long time. Do they really need that kind of support? Is it going to be worth it?Some parents sit so long, they miss their opportunity.Then the doors close and they have second thoughts about not having the amazing support the community...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Your child, if lucky, spends about 1 hour a week with a therapist. Your child, and their anxiety and OCD, spend 168 hours per week with YOU. You do the math. You have the biggest influence over your child’s anxiety or OCD. A therapist is meant to guide and support you and your child, but the rest is up to you, and them.That might feel overwhelming, but in truth it can be empowering. All you need is a little guidance on where to start, what to do, and how to do it. Make that influence count....
about 2 months ago • 2 min read