One of the hardest parts about trying to help our kids with anxiety or OCD is the level of exhaustion and overwhelm it can create within us. And this isn’t just a “I should take care of me” email. Our well-being directly impacts our effectiveness in how we show up for our child’s anxiety or OCD. It also impacts the well-being of you and your entire family. But we are all human. We all have a rollercoaster of emotions, especially when it comes to anxiety and OCD. One of the best ways we can...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Think back to the last time your child, teen or young adult was having an issue with anxiety or OCD. What was the biggest struggle for you. We are often so focused on what they will or won’t do in the moment, that we forget our part. Did you feel overwhelmed? Irritated? Depressed? Hopeless? Anxious? Numb? As parents, we show up with our own feelings and that has a huge impact on how we respond. For example… If I’m irritated, I’m more likely to respond with annoyance and insensitivity that...
9 days ago • 2 min read
My child was in a rage due to anxiety and OCD. I instantly felt rage stirring inside me too. I felt my body tense, my anger rising as I watched him on the couch imploding. And then… I tuned in to ME. I asked myself, “Why are you so angry right now?” and I gave myself a raw, authentic answer: I’m doing everything I possibly can to improve his mental health. WHY can’t he do his part and improve? (I know, not a rational thought). I am tired and want this to end already. I want to just be able to...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader- Starting treatment for OCD can be one of the most hopeful steps a family takes, but it can also be one of the most confusing. Many parents expect that once their child begins therapy, exposures, or a new approach at home, things should immediately improve. Instead, they are often surprised when anxiety spikes, meltdowns increase, or OCD seems louder than ever. In my newest episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I explore why OCD recovery can initially feel worse before it...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader- Many OCD themes are frequently misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or completely overlooked because they don’t match the stereotypes most people associate with OCD. In this episode, I dive into the OCD themes that often fly under the radar, including Moral OCD, Harm OCD, POCD, SOCD, ROCD, disgust based OCD, symmetry OCD, and Just Right OCD. I talk about how these themes can present in children and teens, why they are often mistaken for anxiety, behavioral issues, personality traits, or...
27 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader- When the fear of throwing up begins to take over a child’s daily life, it can quietly shrink their world. School, eating, travel, social events, exercise, sleepovers, restaurants, and even ordinary conversations can suddenly feel unsafe. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I’m talking all about emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting, and how it can show up as both anxiety and OCD. We’ll explore the hidden compulsions that often fuel this disorder, including...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader- Raising a child with anxiety or OCD can bring so much doubt and exhaustion. It can also bring so much instability for the whole family. It can impact your other children and it can put a strain on your relationships with other family members. But it doesn’t have to be that way. When you are surrounded by other people who get your struggles, you feel heard. When you are in the company of people who have been where you are, you get answers. When other parents have your back, you...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader- There is nothing worse than seeing your child suffer with anxiety or OCD while you struggle with how to help them. Luckily, that is all about to change. The AT Parenting Community addresses all your struggles 🟤 Get clinical guidance from an anxiety and OCD child therapist with two decades of experience when you are feeling overwhelmed. 🟤 Soak up skills through weekly live classes and get free access to over $700 worth of courses so you can be skilled to coach your child and spot a...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader- Contamination OCD is often much more complex than many parents realize. It is not always about germs, handwashing, or obvious fears of illness. For many kids, contamination OCD can center around chemicals, certain people, objects, or even an intense feeling of disgust rather than fear. In my latest podcast episode, I breaks down the subtle ways contamination OCD can be missed, misunderstood, or accidentally reinforced. Parents often focus on visible avoidance without recognizing...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read