AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety

Natasha Daniels: Child Therapist, Child Anxiety and Child OCD Expert
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Natasha Daniels, Child OCD and Anxiety Therapist, shares practical advice for parents raising kids with OCD and anxiety. Raising a child or teen with OCD can feel overwhelming and isolating—but you don’t have to do it alone. In this podcast, Natasha shares practical, evidence-based strategies to support kids with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. With over 20 years of clinical experience and first-hand knowledge as a parent herself to children with OCD and anxiety, Natasha offers clear guidance to help you understand how OCD works in kids—and what you can do to help. From managing OCD compulsions at home to finding the right anxiety or OCD therapy, you’ll get professional insights delivered in a relatable, real-world way. Whether you’re a parent or therapist, this podcast will help you feel more confident and less alone on the journey of raising a child with OCD and anxiety. You can find Natasha on Instagram and tap into her online courses in the AT Parenting Survival School. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3D AGO

    What Progress Actually Looks Like for Kids with Anxiety or OCD

    When you’re raising a child with anxiety or OCD, progress can feel confusing, inconsistent, or even invisible at times. In this episode, we explore how your mindset around progress directly impacts the energy, pressure, and expectations your child feels as they navigate their struggles. We start by unpacking our relationship with the idea of progress and how common, well-intended beliefs can actually make things harder — like rigid goalposts, unrealistic end goals, artificial timelines, or the belief that anxiety or OCD must be permanently “fixed” to count as success. Then we shift into a more supportive and sustainable way of viewing progress. One that includes flexible goals, small daily or weekly wins, and an understanding that your child’s mental health journey is fluid, not linear. When we remove external pressure and let go of unrealistic timelines, we create space for real growth, resilience, and trust. This episode will help you recalibrate how you define progress so you can show up calmer, steadier, and more grounded for your child. How we show up to our child’s struggles makes a huge impact. Want to learn how to be a steady anchor for your child’s anxiety and OCD? 🧡 Register for my FREE Anchor Series for Parents at atparentingsurvivalseries.com. The series is running from January 8th through January 16th, so you can still catch it! *** 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.

    52 min

  2. JAN 6

    The Hidden Cost of Parenting Your Child’s Anxiety or OCD from Fear

    When your child is struggling with anxiety or OCD, fear can quietly take over your parenting. Fear of making things worse. Fear of missing something. Fear of what the future might hold. In this episode, I explore the hidden cost of parenting from that place. I talk about how fear often shows up in ways we don’t always recognize, such as agitation, constant anxiety, over-cheerleading, or swinging into punitive responses when we are exhausted and overwhelmed. While these reactions are completely understandable, they can unintentionally undermine trust and keep both parent and child stuck. I also share how things shifted when I stopped parenting from fear and began meeting my child exactly where they were. That change did not mean doing less. It meant responding differently. By building trust and creating emotional safety, my child was able to feel more empowered and begin taking ownership of their own struggles. This episode is for parents who are trying their best but feel stuck in survival mode. We talk about how to recognize fear-driven parenting patterns and how moving toward a more anchored approach can change the tone of your relationship and support your child’s growth. Learn how to be a solid anchor for your child in my free series. Register here.  -Watch the Instagram reel on anchored vs unanchored parenting. -Take the SPACE Study Guide Course here. -Read: When a Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and 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.

    49 min

  3. 12/30/2025

    Are You Talking to Your Child or Your Child’s OCD?!

    One of the hardest parts of raising a child with OCD is figuring out who you’re actually talking to. Is it your child… or is it their OCD pulling you into another loop? In this episode, we talk about the different ways OCD ropes parents in—whether it’s endless reassurance seeking, constant confessing, permission checking, “just right” demands, or those sneaky checking questions like, “Do I look sick?” or “Is this bad?” I’ll walk you through how to spot when OCD is taking over the conversation: the circular back-and-forth that goes nowhere, the distress when you don’t answer the “right” way, or the need for more and more clarity tied to their specific OCD themes. Then we shift into what you can do. We’ll cover how to talk to your child about these patterns ahead of time, how to team up on a plan for responding, and how to use exposures and tools (like reassurance cards) to stop feeding the OCD loop. And finally, an important reminder: not talking to OCD does not mean ignoring your child. You can still validate, support, connect, and check in, just without fueling compulsions. Pulling yourself out of OCD’s conversations is often one of the first big steps toward real progress. Links Mentioned in this episode: PDF handout for this episode: www.natashadaniels.com/handouts Join my free series: How to Be an Effective Anchor for Your Child’s Anxiety or OCD — www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com Youtube video: Reassurance can Be a Compulsion Youtube video: Confessions Can be a Compulsion  Podcast: How to Use Reassurance Cards  *** 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.

    58 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Building Trust When Your Child Has OCD

    In this episode, we explore why trust is the foundation for helping a child with OCD. When trust is missing, kids shut down, hide their struggles, and resist therapeutic strategies. I share simple, practical ways to build (and rebuild) trust — from validating their experience, to going at their pace, to connecting with who they are beyond OCD. Even small shifts can strengthen your relationship and make real progress possible. ⚓️ If you want in-depth support in how to be an effective anchor for your child’s anxiety and OCD register for free at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com *** 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.

    36 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Helping Your Child Survive the Holidays with OCD and Anxiety

    The holidays can be magical — but for kids with OCD and anxiety, they can also be overwhelming. In this episode, Natasha helps parents prepare for the unique challenges that come with travel, family gatherings, disrupted routines, and sensory overload.  You’ll learn how to anticipate triggers before they happen, create a holiday coping map with your child, set boundaries with relatives, and protect your child’s regulation during busy days. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just hosting at home, this episode gives you simple tools to make the holidays more manageable—and even enjoyable—for your child. You’ll walk away feeling prepared, supported, and confident going into the holiday season. Get the PDF template on how to write a text or email to your family about your child’s anxiety and OCD struggles at www.natashadaniels.com/handout ⚓️ If you want in-depth support in how to be an effective anchor for your child’s anxiety and OCD register for free at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com *** 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.

    35 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    Staying Present When Your Child’s OCD Is Loud

    When your child’s OCD gets loud, it’s so easy to get swept into the panic, the questions, the intensity. But the calmer and more grounded you stay, the faster they can settle. In today’s episode I’m breaking down how to stay present when everything in you wants to react — and why this one skill changes the tone of your entire home. If you want deeper support in staying steady during your child’s anxiety or OCD storms, my new series will walk you through it step-by-step. Register for free at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com *** 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.

    43 min

  7. 12/02/2025

    When Professionals Get Your Child’s OCD Wrong

    What happens when the professionals you trust to help your child’s OCD, actually make things worse? Too many parents of kids with OCD are told to “reassure them,” “avoid the triggers,” or “help them relax.” Even well-meaning therapists often miss the mark — treating OCD like general anxiety or skipping ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) altogether. In this episode, I’m breaking down why OCD is so often misunderstood in therapy, how to tell if your child’s therapist truly understands OCD, and the red flags that signal it’s time to look elsewhere. You’ll learn what evidence-based treatment should look like — and how to advocate for the help your child really needs. Want a PDF handout with sample questions to ask a therapist and red flags to look out for? Go to Natashadaniels.com/handouts and click on episode 447. Link mentioned in podcast: Psypact list  *** 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.

    46 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    Why We Miss New OCD Symptoms in Our Child

    When OCD symptoms fade, it’s natural to feel relief — maybe even believe it’s finally gone. But sometimes, that relief can make us miss the signs of OCD returning in new and surprising ways. In this episode, I’ll talk about why parents often overlook new OCD themes and what we can do differently. We’ll explore how tunnel vision, limited communication, and lack of education about OCD’s many disguises can cause us to miss the early signs of a relapse. You’ll learn how to celebrate progress without letting your guard down — shifting from a “cured” mindset to one of ongoing recovery. We’ll also cover how to stay educated, keep open communication with your child, and recognize when new behaviors may actually be OCD in disguise. Because when we know what to look for, we can catch OCD before it takes the wheel again. Resources mentioned in podcast: Uma Chatterjee website AT Parenting Community Video: OCD is Like an Octopus My YouTube channel *** 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.

    51 min
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About

Natasha Daniels, Child OCD and Anxiety Therapist, shares practical advice for parents raising kids with OCD and anxiety. Raising a child or teen with OCD can feel overwhelming and isolating—but you don’t have to do it alone. In this podcast, Natasha shares practical, evidence-based strategies to support kids with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. With over 20 years of clinical experience and first-hand knowledge as a parent herself to children with OCD and anxiety, Natasha offers clear guidance to help you understand how OCD works in kids—and what you can do to help. From managing OCD compulsions at home to finding the right anxiety or OCD therapy, you’ll get professional insights delivered in a relatable, real-world way. Whether you’re a parent or therapist, this podcast will help you feel more confident and less alone on the journey of raising a child with OCD and anxiety. You can find Natasha on Instagram and tap into her online courses in the AT Parenting Survival School. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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