Podcast Summary: Get to Know OCD

Episode: The WRONG Way To Treat OCD

Host: Dr. Patrick McGrath, Chief Clinical Officer at NOCD
Date: September 28, 2025

Overview:

In this episode, Dr. Patrick McGrath discusses the importance of receiving specialized, evidence-based treatment for OCD, highlighting the pitfalls of general therapeutic approaches that miss the mark. He compares the necessity of finding a mental health specialist for OCD to seeking a medical specialist for physical ailments and provides advice on what does and does not work in OCD treatment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of Specialized OCD Treatment

• Specialization Matters: Dr. McGrath stresses that, just as you’d want a hand specialist for a hand injury, OCD treatment should come from someone with deep expertise in OCD.
  • "Imagine that you broke your hand. Who would you want to do the surgery for you? Would you want a general surgeon or would you want a hand specialist?" (01:11)
• General Therapists May Miss OCD: Many general therapists may lack the training to properly identify or treat OCD, possibly leading to missed diagnoses and ineffective interventions.

2. The WRONG Way to Treat OCD

• Avoiding Safety Behaviors: Dr. McGrath lists common general therapy interventions that are not effective for OCD, including:

  • Diaphragmatic breathing
  • Muscle relaxation techniques
  • Telling yourself not to think about intrusive thoughts
  • Snapping a rubber band on your wrist
  • Distracting techniques (meditation, visualization, etc.)

• Why These Methods Fail:

  • These techniques may create a sense of comfort in the session but do not prepare someone to handle OCD triggers in daily life.
  • They can lead to an endless cycle where triggers are met with more temporary relief strategies instead of real progress.
  • “That’s not going to give you the results you’re looking for. What that will do is…lead you to feel good in the session…but it won’t teach you anything about how to handle OCD once you leave.” (03:20)

• Safety Behaviors as a Trap:

  • Avoidance, reassurance-seeking, compulsions, and distractions actually reinforce OCD, making it stronger.
  • “If you’re doing things like avoiding anything you’re afraid of…you’re actually feeding obsessive compulsive disorder instead of defeating obsessive compulsive disorder.” (05:15)

3. The True Nature of OCD

• OCD Is Manipulative:
  • Dr. McGrath explains, through an example of compulsive checking leading to job loss, that OCD never takes responsibility and always blames the individual, increasing guilt and shame.
  • “Do you think OCD is going to say, ‘I’m really sorry about that’?...OCD is going to say, ‘If you had just done what I told you to do the first time…you would still have your job. It’s all your fault.’” (07:55)

4. The RIGHT Way to Treat OCD

• Behavioral Approach is Essential:
  • Effective treatment focuses on behavioral change through evidence-based methods, not temporary coping skills or alternative therapies.
  • “What you need is a therapist who’s going to hold you in line and really help behave you out of OCD. Right? I’ve never once talked anybody out of OCD, but I sure have behaved people out of OCD.” (10:05)

5. How to Navigate Therapy Choices

• Therapist Fit Depends on Issue:
  • It’s OK to see a general therapist for other mental health concerns, but treatment for OCD should come from a specialist.
  • He equates this to returning to a primary care physician after a specialist has treated a complex issue.
  • “OCD might not be the thing you see them [a general therapist] for. Work with a specialist for OCD, and...go back to that therapist when you’re done.” (11:15)

6. Getting Help and Resources

• Call to Action:
  • Dr. McGrath encourages listeners to seek evidence-based treatment through NOCD and not settle for less when it comes to OCD care.
  • “Check us out at nocd.com…we can help you start living the life you want to live that isn’t ruled by OCD.” (13:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Your time and your money have a lot of value if you’re going to be working with somebody. I want you to spend your time and your money on a service that actually really targets the thing that you need help with and not on some general type of concern or issue.” — Dr. McGrath (02:10)
• “Safety behaviors are not the answer to dealing with OCD.” — Dr. McGrath (05:00)
• “OCD does not have your best interest at heart. OCD does not care about you losing a job or your friends or your relationships…” — Dr. McGrath (06:30)
• “I’ve never once talked to anybody out of OCD, but I sure have behaved people out of OCD.” — Dr. McGrath (10:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–02:20 — Setting the stage: Importance of choosing the right therapist
• 02:20–05:35 — Ineffective (and common) general therapy approaches for OCD
• 05:36–07:15 — How safety behaviors worsen OCD
• 07:16–09:00 — Real-life example: OCD’s manipulations and consequences
• 09:01–10:30 — What effective OCD treatment looks like: behavioral focus
• 10:31–12:30 — How to combine specialist and general therapist care
• 12:31–end — Encouragement and resources (NOCD)

Conclusion

This episode offers a clear, practical perspective on the necessity of seeking specialized and evidence-based treatment for OCD, debunking common but misguided therapy approaches. Dr. McGrath’s direct, relatable style, concrete analogies, and actionable advice make this episode essential listening for anyone wondering if they’re in “the right” therapy for OCD.

For more information and evidence-based help, visit NOCD.com.