*What is intensive treatment for OCD — and who is it actually for?*

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Chad Brandt, clinical psychologist and OCD specialist. Together, they explore intensive ERP treatment for severe OCD, the Bergen 4-Day Treatment model, and why longer-form exposure therapy can create rapid breakthroughs in recovery.

Dr. Chad Brandt opens up about:

• His background treating severe OCD and anxiety disorders

• What makes ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) the gold standard for OCD treatment

• How intensive OCD treatment differs from traditional weekly therapy and IOP programs

• Why “doing exposures fully” matters more than simply doing more exposures

• The most common fears and objections people have before starting ERP

• Why OCD recovery is about changing your response to uncertainty — not eliminating thoughts

Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone you love, this episode offers hope, practical insight, and a deeper understanding of what real OCD treatment can look like.

📲 About Dr. Chad Brandt (guest):

• Chad Brandt, PhD

• OCD Therapist and ERP Specialist

• Web page: https://www.drchadbrandt.com/

✂️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:32 – What Is Intensive Treatment for OCD?

01:04 – Who Is Dr. Chad Brandt & Why Does He Specialize in Severe OCD?

03:05 – Does Dr. Chad Brandt Personally Have OCD?

04:30 – What Is the Best Therapy for Severe OCD?

06:00 – What Does Intensive ERP Treatment Actually Look Like Day-to-Day?

08:06 – How Is This Different From Traditional IOP Programs for OCD?

10:18 – Isn’t a Full-Day OCD Intensive Overwhelming?

11:39 – Do Patients Burn Out During Long ERP Sessions?

13:54 – What Is the Bergen 4-Day Treatment Method?

15:39 – Does Intensive OCD Treatment Actually Work Long-Term?

18:03 – What Happens During an OCD Intensive From Start to Finish?

20:09 – Why “Getting the Form Right” in ERP Matters So Much

21:52 – What Are the Most Common Objections People Have to ERP?

24:18 – Is ERP or EMDR Better for OCD Treatment?

25:58 – What Is EMDR & Why Isn’t It the Gold Standard for OCD?

26:57 – Why Exposure + Response Prevention Is Essential for OCD Recovery

28:45 – How Much Does Intensive OCD Treatment Cost?

31:01 – How Can People Contact Dr. Chad Brandt?

✅ Free Resources & Links

• 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
• 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
• 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
• ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/

📲 Stay Connected

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
• Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
• Website: www.korresults.com/

📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com

✅ About OCD Whisperer

Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

🔑 SEO Keywords

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© OCD Whisperer

The Hidden OCD Behind “Normal” Routines in Kids...

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Julie Lustig, clinical psychologist and founder of CBT Tools for Life Center. Together, they explore how childhood OCD and anxiety often hide in plain sight—and why so many parents miss the early signs.

Dr. Lustig opens up about:

• Why OCD can take 14–17 years to be properly diagnosed

• How common childhood behaviors (like routines) can become rigid compulsions

• The most overlooked OCD symptoms—including reassurance-seeking and mental rituals

• How Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps kids regain control

This conversation also dives into:

• The subtle ways OCD shows up beyond handwashing or neatness

• How to separate a child from OCD using playful, externalizing tools

• Why small “wins” and gradual steps are key to recovery

OCD isn’t just anxiety—it’s a loop that keeps kids feeling stuck.

But as Dr. Lustig explains, when kids learn they don’t have to listen to OCD, everything can change.

Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting a child, this episode offers clarity, tools, and real hope for recovery.

📲 About Dr. Julie Lustig (guest):

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Founder and Director of the CBT Tools For Life Center

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-l-lustig-ph-d-a30287342/

• Web Page: https://www.cbttoolsforlife.com/

✂️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 What actually leads a psychologist to specialise in childhood OCD and anxiety? 04:34 The early OCD signs in kids most parents completely miss (and mistake for normal behaviour) 06:33 Your child’s “slow routines” might not be habits — hidden OCD symptoms explained 09:16 How do you explain OCD to a child without making it scarier? The surprising approach 12:21 What OCD recovery actually looks like in kids — real transformation stories from treatment 18:16 When a child says “I can’t do this” — what clinicians actually do in that moment

✅ Free Resources & Links

• 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
• 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
• 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
• ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/

📲 Stay Connected

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
• Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
• Website: www.korresults.com/

📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com

✅ About OCD Whisperer

Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

🔑 SEO Keywords

• childhood OCD

• OCD in kids

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• anxiety in children

• OCD symptoms parents miss

• treating OCD early

• reassurance seeking OCD

© OCD Whisperer

Why does it feel like everyone else can manage their OCD… but you just can’t seem to make it stick?

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Dr. Rachel LaFleur.

Together, they unpack the often-missed overlap between ADHD and OCD—and why you might feel stuck in your recovery even when you’re doing “everything right.”

Dr. LaFleur opens up about:

• Why so many adults—especially women—are missing an ADHD diagnosis

• How intrusive thoughts + attention struggles can feed each other

• The hidden signs of ADHD that don’t look like hyperactivity

• Why OCD therapy might not “stick” without addressing ADHD

This conversation also dives into:

• The subtle ways ADHD shows up in your daily life (even if you seem “high-functioning”)

• Why you might feel motivated but still unable to act

• Tools like attention training, structure, and accountability that actually work

• The bigger message: you’re not failing—your brain may just need a different approach

If you’ve ever thought: “Why can’t I just do what I know helps?”

This episode will help you understand what’s really going on—and what to do next.

Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or trying to make sense of your own patterns, this episode offers clarity, validation, and practical strategies to help you move forward.

📲 About Dr. Rachel LaFleur (guest):

• Rachel C. LaFleur, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Stony Run Psychology & Wellness

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lafleur-ph-d-73735056/

• Web Page: https://stonyrunpsych.com/

✂️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:01 Intro & Guest Welcome 00:21 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 01:36 Can you explain the overlap between ADHD and OCD? 04:06 What are the “spidey senses” for ADHD? 07:10 How do you actually tell if it’s ADHD and not just normal behavior? 13:03 What gets in the way of OCD treatment if someone also has ADHD? 14:48 What do you do if ADHD is suspected but not diagnosed? 19:30 What if someone has ADHD but won’t take medication? 22:32 Can you give a concrete example of how you’d practice this? 29:48 What do loved ones typically notice? 30:50 What do friends or others actually see? 37:05 Outro & Where to Find Rachel

✅ Free Resources & Links

• 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
• 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
• 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
• ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/

📲 Stay Connected

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
• Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
• Website: www.korresults.com/

📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com

✅ About OCD Whisperer

Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

🔑 SEO Keywords

• ADHD and OCD overlap

• OCD not improving

• ADHD symptoms in adults

• why OCD therapy isn’t working

• ADHD in women

• rumination and ADHD

• attention training for OCD

• executive dysfunction

© OCD Whisperer

Is it OCD… or autism? And how do you actually treat both?

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Jenna Stone, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of SideQuest Psychotherapy. Together, they explore the complex overlap between OCD and autism, and how proper evaluation and therapy can change everything.

Jenna opens up about:

• Her personal journey with OCD and lived experience in the mental health field

• How autism and OCD can overlap—and why they’re often misunderstood

• The differences between OCD rumination and autistic processing

• How therapy needs to adapt when working with neurodivergent clients

If you’ve ever questioned whether symptoms are OCD, autism, or both—this episode will give you clarity, direction, and a more compassionate understanding of your experience.

Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers practical insight, validation, and hope for a more personalized path to recovery.

📲 About Jenna Stone (guest):

• Clinical Director at SideQuest psychotherapy, lcsw-c

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidequestwithjenna/

• Substack: https://substack.com/@jennastone

• SideQuest psychotherapy: https://www.sidequestpsychotherapy.com/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sidequestwithjenna

✂️ TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] – Is It OCD… or Autism? (Why This Topic Matters) [00:45] – What Got You Into This Work? (Jenna’s Personal Story) [02:42] – What Does an Autism + OCD Evaluation Actually Look Like? [04:32] – What Do You Mean by “Nervous System”? (Explained Simply) [06:02] – Can ERP Work for Autism + OCD? (Or Is It Different?) [08:22] – OCD Rumination vs Autistic Thinking (Key Difference) [10:32] – Why Do Autistic People Overthink Social Situations? [13:02] – Is This OCD… or Just How the Brain Works? [15:02] – What If Someone Can’t Communicate What They Feel? [17:32] – How Should Parents Handle OCD Behaviors in Kids? [20:32] – Are You Helping… or Making OCD Worse? (Hard Truth) [22:32] – Which Therapy Works Best: ERP, ICBT, or ACT? [25:02] – Why Therapy Takes Longer for Neurodivergent Clients [27:02] – How Do You Actually Build Trust With These Clients? [29:02] – What Does GOOD Therapy Look Like for OCD + Autism? [30:32] – Final Takeaway: What People Still Get Wrong

✅ Free Resources & Links

• 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
• 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
• 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
• ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/

📲 Stay Connected

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
• Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
• Website: www.korresults.com/

📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com

✅ About OCD Whisperer

Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

🔑 SEO Keywords

• OCD and autism

• autism and OCD differences

• ERP therapy autism

• neurodivergent OCD treatment

• OCD rumination vs autism

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© OCD Whisperer

Does Your Brain Feel Like It’s Been Hijacked?

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Maggie Duret, LPCC, an OCD specialist who integrates DBT, ERP, and ICBT into her practice. Together, they explore how to manage the "Red Alert" of high-distress OCD and the specific nuances of moral and religious scrupulosity.

Maggie opens up about:

• The Misdiagnosis Trap: Her journey from years of being treated for "generalized anxiety" to finally recognizing her moral scrupulosity.

• The Weight of Being "Good": Her personal experience with excessive prayer, confession, and the "Just Right" trap of finding a perfect path.

• Healing Layers: How ERP was her initial game-changer, while ICBT provided a deeper level of recovery and trust in herself.

• Transitioning Roles: Moving from a DBT background with personality disorders to becoming a passionate OCD advocate and clinician.

Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers high-impact tools and the reminder that recovery is about building a life worth living.

📲 About Maggie Durret (guest):

• LPCC and OCD specialist

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northlightcounseling/

• Northlight Counseling: https://www.northlightcounseling.org/

• Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/maggie-duret-saint-paul-mn/1498178

✂️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Is it Anxiety or Something Sneakier? (The Diagnosis Trap)

03:40 – Inside the Mind of a "High-Functioning" Catholic with OCD

06:36 – When Faith Becomes a Medical Emergency (Scrupulosity)

08:49 – ICBT vs. ERP: Which Therapy Actually Works for You?

14:50 – Why Your Nervous System "Hijacks" Your Recovery

19:10 – The TIPP Hack: How to Reboot Your Brain in 30 Seconds

25:52 – Listening to Senses Over "Internal Alarms"

29:20 – Building a Life Worth Living (Beyond the Symptoms)

✅ Free Resources & Links

• 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
• 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
• 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
• ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/

📲 Stay Connected

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
• Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
• Website: www.korresults.com/

📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com

✅ About OCD Whisperer

Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

🔑 SEO Keywords

• religious scrupulosity

• DBT for OCD

• TIPP skill for anxiety

• moral OCD recovery

• vagus nerve hack for panic

• ICBT vs ERP

• mental compulsions reassurance seeking

© OCD Whisperer

Can you build a global movement and lead a team while navigating the "fangs" of OCD

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Pavel Reppo, founder of A Fine Mind and a leader in international mental health. Together, they explore the intersection of high-stakes leadership, cultural expectations, and the persistent drive required to turn a diagnosis into a catalyst for social impact.

Pavel opens up about:

• His "gateway" symptoms at age 13, including severe hand-washing rituals triggered by household turbulence.

• How cultural stigmas in Belarus and the Eastern Bloc shaped his initial understanding of mental health.

• The "Alien" feeling of Relationship OCD and the cycle of debilitating confessions.

• His transition from "camouflaging" through perfectionism to seeking professional therapy in his early 20s.

Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers a raw, unpolished look at the reality of high-functioning OCD and the hope that comes with finding a community that sees you for who you are.

📲 About Pavel Reppo (guest):

• Executive Director - Finemind

• CEO - Matchbox Fund

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavelreppo/

• A Fine Mind org. : https://afinemind.org/

✂️ TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] – The Global Leader’s Secret: Building a mental health empire while fighting a private war.

[01:46] – The Divorce Catalyst: How a "turbulent home" forced a child to find control in rituals.

[03:32] – The "Grit" Trap: Why the Eastern European mindset of "choosing happiness" fuels OCD.

[06:20] – The Perfectionist Masquerade: Using straight A’s to hide the "Alien" feelings inside.

[07:34] – The Relationship Punching Bag: When "Relationship OCD" turns confession into a toxic loop.

[09:32] – The Therapy Shift: Why talk therapy failed and how the precision of ERP changed everything.

[12:02] – The ACT North Star: How to stop listening to "sneaky" emotions and start living by values.

[13:52] – Micromanagement Fangs: When OCD poisons remote leadership and global delegation.

[15:47] – The 18-Hour Collapse: Reaching the breaking point—burnout, depletion, and starting over.

[20:09] – The Double-Edged Sword: Does OCD-driven tenacity actually help you succeed?

[21:39] – The New Fatherhood Filter: Re-learning balance and "holding back" for the next generation.

[23:57] – Beyond the Highlight Reel: Why we need to stop presenting a "polished" version of recovery.

✅ Free Resources & Links

• 🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
• 📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
• 🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
• ✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/

📲 Stay Connected

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
• Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
• Website: www.korresults.com/

📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com

✅ About OCD Whisperer

Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

🔑 SEO Keywords

living with OCD Relationship OCD stories ERP therapy for perfectionism Pavel Reppo mental health high functioning OCD leadership Relationship OCD confessions ACT therapy for OCD

© OCD Whisperer