I had the honor of being a guest on my friend Shannon Shy’s Rise Beyond OCD interview series. Below you’ll find key takeaways from the interview plus the questions Shannon and I discussed.
To learn more about Shannon, his Unconditional Commitment Club, and the incredible work he does for the OCD community, please see his OCD Recovery Turning Points website.
Key Takeaways from this Rise Beyond OCD Interview
Core OCD Recovery Concepts
- Self-compassion: Learning to speak kindly to yourself instead of letting OCD’s critical voice dominate
- ERP as the gold standard therapy: Evidence-based treatment for OCD that helps people face fears without doing compulsions
- Courage in small moments: Recovery happens through daily choices to do things differently
- Normalizing setbacks: You can still rise beyond OCD and live a joyful life, even if you have OCD symptoms now and then
Practical OCD Recovery Tools Discussed
- “May or May Not” technique: Repackaging “what if” thoughts to interrupt mental rituals
- “Shoulders Back” approach: Physical and mental stance of facing OCD without engaging in conversation with it
- Mindfulness for OCD: Not about clearing thoughts, but staying present with them non-compulsively
- Gamifying ERP: Making exposure into a game to reduce OCD’s power
Important Insights
- Intrusive thoughts don’t define you – it’s learning to have a different response to them that helps break the OCD cycle
- Emotions can become compulsions (living as if obsessions are true)
- Trauma and OCD often intertwine and need integrated, evidence-based treatment
- Self-punishment is a subtle compulsion that reinforces shame
- Micro-monitoring recovery can become its own obsessive cycle
For Family Members
- Work as a team against OCD, not against each other
- Create a family plan to rise beyond OCD together with professional guidance
- Take breaks and practice self-care to avoid resentment
- Separate the person from the OCD
For Therapists
- Subtle compulsions can keep clients stuck
- It takes tremendous courage for people with OCD to seek help
- It’s important to understand someone’s trauma history as it may impact treatment
- ERP is science-based but requires artful implementation
Rise Beyond OCD Interview Questions
Framing the OCD Journey
For those watching today who are living with OCD, many feel discouraged or unsure recovery is possible. When you think back on your own journey, what was a moment where hope began to return — even a little?
OCD can create so much shame, guilt, and self-doubt. What helped you begin shifting from shame and guilt to self-compassion — and how can viewers start taking those first small steps?
In your book Is Fred in the Refrigerator? you describe the inside experience of OCD so vividly. What do you hope people with OCD hear in your story — especially those who feel alone right now?
Courage, ERP, and Living with Uncertainty
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can feel frightening at first. What would you say to someone watching who wants to get better but feels terrified to start ERP?
Recovering from OCD often means choosing and demonstrating courage. What does that courage look like in daily life — not heroic moments, but the small, quiet ones?
Setbacks are a normal part of recovery. How can people respond to setbacks in a way that builds resilience instead of self-criticism?
Many people fear their intrusive thoughts mean something about who they are. What would you tell someone struggling with that fear of “What do my thoughts say about me?”
You and our friend Jon Hershfield (he is our guest next week, by the way) have written about mindfulness as a joyful way of living with uncertainty. How can mindfulness help people create more space, compassion, and presence — even when OCD is loud?
Meaning, Identity & Hope
For people who feel exhausted or worn down by OCD, what stories — from your life or work — remind you that recovery and joy are possible?
You’ve shared openly about speaking publicly and advocating for OCD awareness. How has embracing your story changed the way you relate to your OCD — and to yourself?
For Family Members and Loved Ones
Many family members want to help but worry about “doing the wrong thing.” What are compassionate ways families can support loved ones without reinforcing rituals or avoidance?
For Therapists
You mentioned subtleties in OCD that can complicate treatment. Can you tell us more about that and what you do about them?
For therapists who are newer to treating OCD, what do you wish every clinician understood on day one about ERP and the lived experience of OCD?
Inspiration for the Whole OCD Community
You just relaunched your website. Why did you change it and what will people find when they go there now?
When you look ahead to the future of OCD awareness, treatment, and advocacy… what gives you the greatest hope?
Audience Q&A
If you could say one thing to those who feel they are at the bottom of the hell pit, what one message would you give them?
To learn more about Shannon, his Unconditional Commitment Club, and the incredible work he does for the OCD community, please see his OCD Recovery Turning Points website.
