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🎙️ OT_Intuition | The Intuitive Living Podcast

Series 1: Perinatal OCD

Episode 5 – Katie: From Prison to Parenthood

⚠️ Content Warning:

This episode includes discussion of traumatic events, including the loss of loved ones and systemic failure in mental health services. While no graphic details are shared, some listeners may find aspects emotionally triggering.

Please take care while listening. Feel free to pause, skip, or return at a later time. Support resources are listed in the show notes.

In this deeply moving and honest episode, I sit down with Katie, a fellow queer occupational therapist whose path into the profession was shaped not only by her psychology background, but also by profound personal loss. She witnessed first-hand the positive impact OTs had on those struggling with their mental health.

Whilst starting her initial training in clinical psychology, Katie experienced a traumatic event involving the devastating loss of people she considered family. A tragedy connected to systemic failures in mental health services.

This heartbreaking chapter became the seed for a purpose-led journey, and the unexpected decision to return to university and undertake another degree, this time, in occupational therapy.

We explore:

🌱 Navigating trauma and finding meaning through a career shift into OT

🔒 Her work in forensic medium secure and prison settings

👶 The raw identity shift into parenthood — including intrusive thoughts and hallucinations

❤️‍🩹 Choosing self-employment and eventually accepting the need to reach out for therapy to support her own growth and recovery

This episode is about what happens when systems fail, and how we slowly begin again. It’s a story of emotional labour, identity, quiet strength, and the rebuilding that follows trauma.

Whether you’re an OT, a parent, or someone navigating your own season of change….this conversation is for you.

💚 Follow @OT_Intuition – The Intuitive Living Podcast for grounded, real-world conversations about identity, regulation, and intuitive living.

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Support the show

Visit OCD ACTION for advice, support and online groups and webinars

Visit NoOCD for advice, treatment and signposting

Phone your local crisis line if you need support now! Emergency? Phone 999. Otherwise call NHS 111 Option 2