In this episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana sits down with Meghan Cromie, LMHC, anxiety specialist and founder of Still Minds Psychology, to explore one of the most misunderstood mental health topics today: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Together, they unpack what intrusive thoughts really are, why they feel so real, and how OCD can quietly take over someone's life—often without them even realizing it.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level explanations and dives into:

• why people get "stuck" in their thoughts
• how anxiety and OCD can look similar—but are not the same
• what's actually happening in the brain when fear takes over
• and how healing is possible through evidence-based approaches like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

• What OCD really is (and what it is not)
• The difference between intrusive thoughts, rumination, and obsession
• Why having a disturbing thought does NOT mean you agree with it
• How OCD is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed as general anxiety
• What compulsions really are (including mental compulsions like overthinking and reassurance seeking)
• Why avoidance and "trying to fix the thought" actually make OCD worse
• How Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) works to retrain the brain
• Why anxiety feels dangerous—but isn't

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is the discussion on scrupulosity (religious OCD)—something many people experience but don't have language for.

Meghan explains:

• What scrupulosity is and how it shows up
• The difference between healthy faith vs fear-driven religion
• Why OCD often targets what you value most (including your faith)
• How compulsive prayer, perfectionism, and fear of "doing something wrong" can actually be symptoms of OCD
• How to recognize when your spiritual life is being driven by anxiety instead of peace

Meghan breaks down Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) in simple, practical terms:

• Facing fear in small, manageable steps
• Learning to sit with anxiety without trying to "fix" it
• Understanding that compulsions—not thoughts—keep OCD alive
• How new learning happens when the brain realizes: "I can feel this and still be okay"

OCD is not about the thought.
It's about the meaning we attach to the thought—and the behaviors we use to try to escape it.

• International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) – Find a trained OCD specialist
• ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy

Meghan Cromie, MA, LMHC is a licensed therapist, anxiety specialist, and founder of Still Minds Psychology in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She specializes in treating OCD, anxiety disorders, phobias, and trauma using evidence-based approaches, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

She works with teens and adults both in person and virtually across multiple states, helping clients move beyond cycles of fear and intrusive thoughts toward lasting recovery.

Website: https://www.stillmindspsychology.com/
Instagram: @stillmindspsychology

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Together, we can continue breaking the stigma around mental health.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you are struggling, please seek support from a licensed professional in your area.