Get to Know OCD – Episode Summary

Podcast: Get to Know OCD
Host: Dr. Patrick McGrath (A), Chief Clinical Officer, NOCD
Guest: Therapist from NOCD (B)
Episode: I Got Better From OCD... Now I Help Others Do the Same
Date: May 3, 2026

Overview

This episode explores the journey of a NOCD therapist (B), who transitioned from being an OCD sufferer to an OCD therapist, and now helps others recover using evidence-based approaches—especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). The conversation, led by Dr. Patrick McGrath, covers the guest’s personal and professional evolution, the shortcomings of traditional clinical training, and the unique, supportive environment at NOCD for therapists and clients alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Journey: From Patient to Practitioner

• Motivation to Become a Therapist
  • Guest (B) jokes about almost becoming a pro football player, then audiologist, before dealing with OCD redirected their career.
  • Therapy at NOCD was transformative; a therapist encouraged B, citing their insight into OCD as a unique asset for treating others ([00:10]).
• Impact of OCD Recovery
  • "My life has been miserable with OCD, but I was able to get better with it. Let me help others." (B, [01:18])
  • Guest applied to NOCD, describing the hiring process with humor, and reflects on the gratification of seeing clients recover:
    “I literally just saw people that don’t want to live anymore. Now they want to live. There’s no better feeling… It’s remarkable.” (B, [01:53])
  • Both host and guest emphasize a profound sense of purpose and loyalty to OCD treatment and NOCD:
    "I don't think, A, I'm ever going to not be an OCD therapist, and B, ever probably leave NOCD. So I think you guys are stuck with me." (B, [02:06])

2. Critique of Graduate School Training

• Limitations of Traditional Education

  • Grad school provided foundational knowledge but didn’t adequately prepare clinicians for OCD/related disorders:
    “What you knew before you joined us and went through our training was a thimble full of an Olympic sized pool of OCD….” (A, [02:23])
  • Guest echoes this, saying the clinical skills learned at NOCD far surpassed those from grad school ([02:43]).
  • “I learned more clinically at NOCD than I did in grad school … The training is remarkable.” (B, [03:01])

• Systemic Shortcomings

  • Dr. McGrath reflects on the need to reform graduate education:
    “There’s not enough focused on evidence-based treatments at all. And therefore we’re doing a disservice to people by not knowing those things when we graduate.” (A, [04:37])
  • Guest shares concern for new therapists being assigned cases they're unqualified for—describing this as an ethical issue ([05:16]).

3. NOCD’s Unique Training and Community

• Comprehensive and Supportive Onboarding

  • NOCD’s ongoing training, consultations, and team support equip clinicians to treat a wide variety of cases confidently ([04:43], [05:16]).
  • “When I meet with a client, you’re not just working with me. I have a whole team that has my back … I learned more than I did in grad school.” (B, [03:17])
  • NOCD’s training model addresses a gap left by traditional education by providing mock clients, active mentorship, and immediate support ([05:16]).

• Culture of Growth and Collaboration

  • The organization fosters continuous learning—no question is considered “stupid,” leadership and peers are always available for support ([03:40]).
  • “Not once have I ever asked a question at NOCD and one of the leadership or anyone coworkers go, 'that was a stupid question.' … 'We want you to keep learning.'” (B, [03:47])
  • B praises the robust collegiality and notes how many colleagues have become close friends:
    “A lot of my colleagues, they’re becoming really close friends and … I don’t think I’m ever going to leave.” (B, [08:22])

4. Promoting Evidence-Based Practice

• Advocacy for ERP and Evidence-Based Care

  • Both host and guest stress the importance and effectiveness of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
    “ERP works.” (B, [02:14])
  • B actively encourages therapists to join NOCD for the best clinical training and enhanced professional confidence ([07:20]).

• Commitment to Ethical Care

  • There's a clear commitment to ethical practice at NOCD, ensuring therapists are prepared and supported to avoid doing harm ([05:36]).
  • “NOCD really equips people with that initial baseline base knowledge and then continues to encourage and focus and strengthen their ability…” (B, [05:47])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “OCD is like a hidden epidemic... It's something that is not treated correctly all the time.” (B, [00:31])
• “I literally just saw people that don’t want to live anymore. Now they want to live. There’s no better feeling. So, like, that… there’s no price I can put on that.” (B, [01:53])
• “I’ve thought about if there’s a retirement career potential for me it would be… revamp the graduate school training that we get to become therapists.” (A, [04:37])
• "NOCD’s training is remarkable and better than the grad school that I went to." (B, [03:30])
• "When I meet with a client, it's not just me... I can talk with the best experts... It's like a whole team approach." (B, [03:23])
• “If you want to work at NOCD, I highly recommend giving it a shot. If a job position opens up, you won't be disappointed.” (B, [08:50])

Important Timestamps

• 00:10 — Guest's career story and therapeutic journey
• 01:18 — Motivated by personal recovery to help others
• 01:53 — Transformative impact seen in clients' lives
• 02:23 — Critique on pre-NOCD clinical knowledge
• 03:17 — Superiority of NOCD training to grad school
• 03:40 — NOCD’s culture of learning and support
• 04:37 — Host’s call for grad school reform
• 05:16 — Ethical preparedness of new therapists
• 07:20 — Advocacy for ERP and joining NOCD
• 08:22 — Lasting professional gratitude and endorsement

Summary in a Sentence:
This episode is an inspiring look into how lived experience with OCD can catalyze a therapist’s work, the limitations of conventional training, and why NOCD’s unique team-oriented and evidence-based approach is transformative for both clinicians and clients.