When I meet with families and parents of children, adolescents, or adults experiencing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Anxiety, I am almost always asked the same question:

 

“What do I do right now?”

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It’s a powerful question — and it comes from a place of love.

Many parents feel exhausted, confused, or overwhelmed trying to understand how to support a child affected by OCD. And here’s the truth:

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Struggling with parenting or caregiving does not mean you're not a great parent or support.

It simply means you’re navigating something that requires a different approach.

That’s why I offer Parent Strategy Sessions — focused, 30-minute consultation calls designed to give you a clear, practical plan for responding to OCD and anxiety in day-to-day life.

 

How Traditional Parenting Becomes Counterproductive with OCD

Traditional parenting is built on reassurance, logic, and behavior correction — all of which can unintentionally strengthen OCD.

This isn’t because you’re doing anything wrong.
It’s because OCD works differently than typical anxiety or behavior challenges.

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Here’s why common parenting instincts backfire:

 

1. Reassurance strengthens OCD.

Trying to calm your child by saying “You’re fine” or “Nothing bad will happen” gives short-term relief but increases compulsions long-term.

Try instead:
“Uncertainty is hard — and you can handle it.”

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2. Punishment raises stress, which fuels OCD.

Refusal to stop rituals isn’t defiance — it’s anxiety.
Consequences escalate the cycle instead of breaking it.

Try instead:
Reinforce courage, not compliance.

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3. Accommodation accidentally grows OCD.

Helping with rituals, avoiding triggers, or adjusting routines makes OCD feel bigger and more necessary.

Try instead:
Reduce accommodations slowly and consistently.

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4. Logic doesn’t beat OCD.

Debating fears or trying to rationalize them gives more attention to the obsession.

Try instead:
Name the pattern: “This sounds like OCD.”

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5. Soothing discomfort too quickly prevents growth.

Kids need to learn they can tolerate discomfort — a key part of improving OCD.

Try instead:
Support them through the discomfort without removing it.

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6. Sudden transitions overwhelm a brain stuck in OCD.

This doesn’t mean avoiding change — just supporting flexible thinking gradually.

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Parent Strategy Sessions Provide

• A clear, step-by-step plan for responding to OCD at home

• Language to use in the moment

• Strategies for reducing accommodation

• Support for navigating rituals, avoidance, or reassurance cycles

• Tools grounded in ERP principles (without doing therapy)

• A roadmap for creating a home environment where your child — and your whole family — can thrive

Parent Strategy Sessions are fast, focused, and practical, so you walk away knowing exactly what to do next.

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These sessions are ideal for...
✔ Parents of children with OCD or anxiety
✔ Caregivers of teens or adults struggling with symptoms
✔ Families waiting for therapy to begin
✔ Parents whose child refuses treatment
✔ Families already in therapy who want additional guidance on reducing accommodations

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Parent Strategy Sessions provide coaching and guidance for caregivers. They are not psychotherapy.

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