197. How to Help Your Child With OCD Without Feeding the OCD Cycle

Is it possible to assist a youngster with OCD without unintentionally exacerbating it?

 

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova talks with Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D. , a clinical psychologist, author, and globally renowned OCD specialist who specializes in assisting kids, teens, adults, and families in managing anxiety and OCD. Together, they examine how parents' responses to a child's OCD might be changed by teaching bravery rather than consolation.

 

Dr. Wagner opens up about:

•Why parents naturally want to protect their children from distress... and how that can sometimes reinforce OCD

•How accommodation and reassurance can unintentionally strengthen OCD rituals

•Why understanding OCD as a “false alarm” in the brain can change the way families respond

•How Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps children gradually face fears and build confidence

 

This conversation also dives into:

•The cycle of anxiety, rituals, and temporary relief that keeps OCD going

•Practical strategies like question coupons and gradually delaying reassurance

•Why parents need to manage their own anxiety and learn to tolerate their child’s discomfort

•How facing difficult situations helps children develop confidence, bravery, and self-efficacy

•Why recovery takes time, practice, and persistence rather than instant results

 

This episode offers hope, useful resources, and a strong reminder that you are more courageous than you realize, whether you are a parent helping a child with OCD, a loved one attempting to understand what they're going thru, or someone dealing with OCD yourself.

 

📲 About Aureen Pinto Wagner (guest):

• Anxiety and OCD Treatment Psychologist

• Website: www.anxietywellness.com

 

✂️ TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] – What Led You to Focus on Helping Children and Families With OCD? [02:55] – Why Should Parents Teach Bravery Instead of Trying to Keep Their Child Comfortable? [05:58] – What Does It Actually Look Like When a Parent Stops Accommodating OCD? [10:18] – What Happens When a Family Gradually Stops Accommodating OCD? [13:02] – How Can Parents Stay Patient When Recovery Takes Time? [13:59] – How Can Parents Manage Their Own Anxiety While Helping Their Child? [14:57] – What Do Children Learn About Themselves When Parents Coach Bravery Instead of Avoidance? [17:13] – What Would You Put on a Billboard for a Parent Who Feels Alone? [18:07] – Where Can Parents Learn More About Your Work?

 

✅ 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/

 

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✅ 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.

 

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