AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety

Natasha Daniels: Child Therapist, Child Anxiety and Child OCD Expert
  • 4.9 (1.2K)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

If you’re raising a child or teen with OCD or anxiety, you’re in the right place. Parenting a child with OCD can feel confusing, exhausting, and isolating, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Each week, therapist Natasha Daniels shares practical, evidence-based strategies to help you understand how OCD and anxiety really work, respond in ways that support recovery, and feel more confident as a parent. Whether your child struggles with contamination OCD, intrusive thoughts, reassurance seeking, perfectionism, moral OCD, social anxiety, panic, school refusal, or other anxiety-related challenges, you’ll learn realistic tools you can use at home right away. Drawing from more than 20 years of clinical experience and her own journey parenting children with OCD and anxiety, Natasha breaks down complex topics into clear, compassionate guidance that parents can actually apply. Episodes cover OCD treatment, ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), reducing family accommodation, managing meltdowns, supporting therapy, and navigating everyday challenges with confidence. Whether you’re newly discovering that your child’s anxiety may actually be OCD, searching for better ways to help, or simply looking for reassurance that you’re not alone, this podcast is here to support you every step of the way. Welcome to AT Parenting Survival: Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 5d ago

    Growing Up with OCD: Izzy’s Story of Courage and Determination

    Growing up with OCD isn’t easy, especially when it tries to convince you to give up the things you love. In this episode, I sit down with Izzy, a child in The AT Parenting Community kids support group, as she shares her personal journey with OCD. She opens up about when her symptoms began, what it has been like navigating treatment, and how she has learned to keep pursuing the activities she’s passionate about, even when OCD tells her not to. Izzy’s story is an honest and inspiring reminder that courage isn’t about feeling fearless. It’s about continuing to move toward what matters, even when OCD is loud. Whether you’re raising a child with OCD or your child is struggling to believe recovery is possible, I hope Izzy’s story offers hope and encouragement. Sometimes the most powerful encouragement comes from hearing another child’s story. I know Izzy’s willingness to share hers will inspire so many families. Links Mentioned in Episode: Join the AT Parenting Community. Doors close July 23, 2026. *** This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?   🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️ Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars Check out my books:  www.Natashadaniels.com/books 🌸 Other social places I hang out: http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival  http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Jul 7

    Learning to Parent the Child You Have, Not the Child You Expected

    Every parent begins their journey with hopes and expectations. We imagine what family life will look like, what milestones our children will reach, and the experiences we’ll share together. But when anxiety, OCD, autism, ADHD, chronic illness, or other challenges change that picture, many parents find themselves quietly grieving the life they thought they’d have. In this episode, we talk about the difference between grieving and getting stuck in grief. You’ll learn why it’s okay to mourn the expectations you once held, how societal pressures and comparisons can make parenting even harder, and why clinging to artificial timelines often creates unnecessary stress for both you and your child. We’ll also explore what it means to truly parent the child in front of you, not the child you imagined. Every child needs something different, and learning when to gently push, when to pause, and how to adjust your approach can transform your relationship and help your child thrive. Ultimately, our goal isn’t to raise children who check every box or meet every milestone on someone else’s schedule. It’s to raise children who feel empowered, heard, loved, and willing to keep trying, even when life doesn’t go as planned. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough, worried your child is falling behind, or found yourself grieving the parenting journey you expected, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned: Get the free PDF handout of this episode  Register here for the FREE parenting series: How to Be an Anchor for Your Child with Anxiety or OCD *** This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?   🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️ Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars Check out my books:  www.Natashadaniels.com/books 🌸 Other social places I hang out: http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival  http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Jun 30

    8 Signs You Don’t Fully Understand Your Child’s OCD

    Even the most dedicated parents can unintentionally miss what OCD is really doing. If you’ve ever wondered why your child’s OCD keeps changing, why the same strategies don’t seem to work anymore, or why treatment feels like it’s not getting to the root of the problem, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’ll walk you through eight common signs that you may be viewing your child’s OCD through a lens that keeps you focused on the surface instead of what’s driving it underneath. When you begin to understand how OCD actually operates, you’ll know what to pay attention to, what to stop chasing, and how to respond in ways that support lasting recovery. This episode will help you shift from reacting to OCD’s content to understanding its patterns—so you can parent with more confidence and help your child make meaningful progress. Resources Mentioned: • Get the free podcast PDF Handout of this episode • Parent Course: How to Teach Kids to Crush OCD • Video: How OCD is Like an Octopus • Podcast: When Reassurance Becomes an OCD Compulsion: How to Respond Differently • Podcast: When OCD Recovery Feels Worse Before It Feels Better *** This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?   🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️ Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars Check out my books:  www.Natashadaniels.com/books 🌸 Other social places I hang out: http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival  http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Jun 23

    When OCD Recovery Feels Worse Before It Feels Better

    Starting treatment for OCD can be one of the most hopeful steps a family takes, but it can also be one of the most confusing. Many parents expect that once their child begins therapy, exposures, or a new approach at home, things should immediately improve. Instead, they are often surprised when anxiety spikes, meltdowns increase, or OCD seems louder than ever. In this episode, I explore why OCD recovery can initially feel worse before it feels better. OCD thrives on avoidance, distraction, reassurance, and other coping strategies that provide short term relief. When children begin treatment, they often stop relying on those unhealthy coping mechanisms and start facing their fears directly. While this is an important part of recovery, it can temporarily make anxiety and distress feel more intense. I explain how OCD is not a passive disorder. It actively fights back when challenged. It may convince children that therapy is making them worse, tell them not to talk about their fears, flood them with more intrusive thoughts, or create intense distress during ERP and other evidence based approaches. Parents using strategies like SPACE may also notice an increase in emotional reactions as OCD loses its grip. Parents will learn why these early bumps in the road are often a normal part of the recovery process and how to prepare for them. I share practical ways to set expectations, build coping skills, develop a plan for tolerating distress, communicate effectively with therapists, and support children without pushing them too far too fast. If you have ever wondered whether treatment is working because things seem harder than before, this episode will help you understand what may really be happening and how to stay the course with confidence. Resources Mentioned in Episode: Free Anchor Series for parents Click here to get your PDF Handout for this episode YouTube video on how OCD sabotages therapy YouTube video on how OCD shuts down communication My Books My Kids and Teen OCD Course *** This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?   🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️ Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars Check out my books:  www.Natashadaniels.com/books 🌸 Other social places I hang out: http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival  http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Jun 16

    Common OCD Themes Even Therapists Sometimes Miss

    Many OCD themes are frequently misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or completely overlooked because they don’t match the stereotypes most people associate with OCD. In this episode, I dive into the OCD themes that often fly under the radar, including Moral OCD, Harm OCD, POCD, SOCD, ROCD, disgust based OCD, symmetry OCD, and Just Right OCD. I talk about how these themes can present in children and teens, why they are often mistaken for anxiety, behavioral issues, personality traits, or even hidden desires, and how shame and mental compulsions can keep kids struggling silently for years. You’ll also learn why OCD is not always driven by fear. Some themes are fueled by disgust, discomfort, uncertainty, or an overwhelming feeling that something is “off” or incomplete. I break down how OCD can lead to reassurance seeking, confession, avoidance, mental reviewing, and hidden rituals that many parents and even therapists may miss. I also discuss what parents can do if they suspect OCD is being overlooked, including how to educate themselves on OCD themes, help their child understand what OCD is doing, trust their gut, and seek out proper OCD specific support and ERP therapy. If your child has ever struggled with intrusive thoughts, shame around certain thoughts or feelings, hidden compulsions, or behaviors that never fully made sense through a traditional anxiety lens, this episode will help you better understand what may really be happening beneath the surface. Resources Discussed in Episode: Join our FREE series: How to Be an Effective Anchor for Your Kids with OCD Get your PDF handout of today’s episode here. OCD Therapy through NOCD OCD Therapist Directory Kids and Teen Course on OCD FREE Therapist Workshop on OCD Crushing OCD Workbook for Kids Chloe and The Bossy Cloud OCD Picture Book BTTI OCD Training Texas OCD Institute *** This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?   🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️ Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars Check out my books:  www.Natashadaniels.com/books 🌸 Other social places I hang out: http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival  http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jun 9

    How to Help Kids When the Fear of Throwing Up Takes Over

    When the fear of throwing up begins to take over a child’s daily life, it can quietly shrink their world. School, eating, travel, social events, exercise, sleepovers, restaurants, and even ordinary conversations can suddenly feel unsafe. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I’m talking all about emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting, and how it can show up as both anxiety and OCD. We’ll explore the hidden compulsions that often fuel this disorder, including reassurance seeking, body checking, food restriction, avoidance, hyperfixation on nausea, and the constant need to prevent getting sick. I’ll also discuss: • Why emetophobia is not caused by trauma, even though a traumatic illness experience can trigger it • How avoidance quietly strengthens the fear over time • Why reassurance rarely helps long term • The difference between empowering your child versus protecting the disorder • How to identify the core fear driving the emetophobia • What exposures can look like for vomiting fears • How ERP therapy can help kids reclaim their lives If your child’s fear of throwing up is beginning to control daily life, this episode will help you better understand what is happening beneath the surface and how to support recovery in a compassionate, therapeutic way. Resources from this episode: Get the PDF Handout for this episode Emetophobia Videos: https://youtu.be/mvQlW3iSU5U?si=b-UBrQdNR7ze0gKx https://youtu.be/cclkHTOX0co?si=tuSIySbvUlVdzBui https://youtu.be/oShDAdBugJ0?si=MfdwLU2xx1xocR9c https://youtu.be/KvhjJqSXDRw?si=aJiOJKyJn1LYUdGZ Books Mentioned: Anxiety Sucks: A Teen Survival Guide by Natasha Daniels Overcoming Emetophobia Exposure Workbook by Natasha Daniels Guts by Raina Telgemeier Facing Mighty Fears About Throwing Up by Dawn Huebner *** This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?   🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️ Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars Check out my books:  www.Natashadaniels.com/books 🌸 Other social places I hang out: http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival  http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jun 2

    Is Your Child’s “Defiance” Actually Caused by OCD?

    Defiance can be one of the most misunderstood signs of OCD in children and teens. When kids refuse to touch certain things, avoid everyday tasks, struggle with homework, take excessive time completing routines, or seem resistant to basic expectations, it can easily look like oppositional behavior. But underneath that behavior may be intrusive fears, avoidance compulsions, contamination concerns, or “just right” OCD driving their actions. In this episode, I explore how hidden OCD symptoms are often mistaken for defiance, difficult behavior, or laziness, leading parents, teachers, and even therapists to respond in ways that may unintentionally worsen the cycle. I break down common household, school, and daily life behaviors that may actually be rooted in OCD, and explain how parents can better identify the true source of the struggle. You’ll learn how to dig deeper beneath the behavior, ask more effective questions, and determine whether your child needs discipline, boundaries, or therapeutic support through exposure and response prevention (ERP). If you are a parent who has ever wondered whether your child’s “bad behavior” may actually be part of their OCD, this episode will help you better understand what may really be happening beneath the surface. To get this episode’s PDF handout go to www.natashadaniels.com/handouts Get the course: How to Handle Difficult Behavior Caused by Anxiety or OCD *** This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?   🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️ Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars Check out my books:  www.Natashadaniels.com/books 🌸 Other social places I hang out: http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival  http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. May 26

    Things Parents Often Miss in Kids with Contamination OCD

    Contamination OCD is often much more complex than many parents realize. It is not always about germs, handwashing, or obvious fears of illness. For many kids, contamination OCD can center around chemicals, certain people, objects, or even an intense feeling of disgust rather than fear. In this episode, Natasha breaks down the subtle ways contamination OCD can be missed, misunderstood, or accidentally reinforced. Parents often focus on visible avoidance without recognizing the true “ground zero” of contamination, the original trigger or core fear driving the OCD cycle. Understanding that core fear or disgust response is essential for effective support. Parents will also learn why appeasing OCD or rationalizing with it can unintentionally strengthen the cycle. If your child struggles with contamination fears, disgust triggers, or confusing avoidance behaviors, this episode will help you better understand what may really be happening and how to respond more effectively. Resources Talked About in Episode: OCD Treatment: NOCD virtual OCD Therapy IOCDF Provider Directory   Videos on Contamination OCD:   How to Handle Contamination OCD   Trying to Beat Contamination OCD? OCD Doesn’t Play Fair   Understanding Ground Zero in Contamination OCD   Disgust Based Contamination OCD   Offense vs Defense for OCD Handouts and Courses:  OCD Themes PDF How to find the Core Fear Workshop   SPACE Study Guide *** This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Parents, do you need more support?   🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️ Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD: https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD): https://atparentingcommunity.com Take one of my FREE webinars: www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars Check out my books:  www.Natashadaniels.com/books 🌸 Other social places I hang out: http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival  http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See All (495)

4.9
out of 5
1,244 Ratings

About

If you’re raising a child or teen with OCD or anxiety, you’re in the right place. Parenting a child with OCD can feel confusing, exhausting, and isolating, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Each week, therapist Natasha Daniels shares practical, evidence-based strategies to help you understand how OCD and anxiety really work, respond in ways that support recovery, and feel more confident as a parent. Whether your child struggles with contamination OCD, intrusive thoughts, reassurance seeking, perfectionism, moral OCD, social anxiety, panic, school refusal, or other anxiety-related challenges, you’ll learn realistic tools you can use at home right away. Drawing from more than 20 years of clinical experience and her own journey parenting children with OCD and anxiety, Natasha breaks down complex topics into clear, compassionate guidance that parents can actually apply. Episodes cover OCD treatment, ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), reducing family accommodation, managing meltdowns, supporting therapy, and navigating everyday challenges with confidence. Whether you’re newly discovering that your child’s anxiety may actually be OCD, searching for better ways to help, or simply looking for reassurance that you’re not alone, this podcast is here to support you every step of the way. Welcome to AT Parenting Survival: Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

You Might Also Like