S4E156: New Year, Same Fear
After an unplanned pause, Nicole is back—and she’s getting real about it. In this candid check-in episode, she shares why stepping away without over-explaining was actually an act of response prevention, not disappearance. OCD often demands perfection, performance, and constant reassurance—but sometimes the most regulated choice is silence.
As 2026 begins, she explores how “new year, same fear” can feel especially true with transitions and added pressure. OCD doesn’t reset at midnight. Still, familiar fear doesn’t mean lifelong suffering. Drawing from her experience as both a clinician and someone in recovery, Nicole reminds listeners that evidence-based treatments like ERP, ICBT, ACT, and medication offer real hope.
If you’re struggling—or supporting someone who is—this episode is a reminder: you’re not alone. We can sit with discomfort, choose values over fear, and build hope, even in quiet seasons.
Resources:
To learn more about Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) or to find a provider through the International OCD Foundation, click here.
To learn more about Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), click here.
To browse the self help or CE-eligible courses offered through OCD Training School using my special affiliate link, click here.
Additional Recommended Resources:
The Contamination OCD Workbook by Rich Gallaghar, LMFT: Click here
Rumination-Focused ERP (RF-ERP) by Dr. Michael Greenberg: Click here
Podcasts:
The OCD Whisperer: Click here for the YouTube channel
The OCD Stories: Click here for the YouTube channel
AT Parenting Survival: Click here for the YouTube channel
IG Profiles:
Madison Marie: @obsessivelystrong
Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC: @anxietyocdtreatment
Natasha Daniels: @childocdtherapist
