In this episode of The OCD Confessional, we’re joined by Chris Trondsen, licensed marriage and family therapist at The Gateway Institute and longtime advocate with the International OCD Foundation.

Chris brings a rare and powerful perspective to the conversation — not only does he treat OCD professionally, he has also lived through severe OCD himself.

Chris shares how intrusive thoughts and compulsions once consumed nearly every waking hour of his life, the years he spent misdiagnosed, and the moment he finally discovered Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — the gold-standard treatment for OCD. After reaching a devastating low point during his illness, Chris eventually rebuilt his life and dedicated his career to helping others recover from the same disorder that once controlled his own.

In this episode we discuss:
• What severe OCD actually feels like
• The damage misdiagnosis can cause
• How ERP treatment works in real life
• The emotional aftermath of recovery
• What Chris learned moving from patient to therapist

This conversation is both deeply honest and hopeful — and a powerful reminder that recovery from OCD is possible.

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube & everywhere podcasts live.
📲 Instagram & TikTok: @theocdconfessional
📺 YouTube: The OCD Confessional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9LpIFjdtZQ

Supported by NOCD
If you or someone you love is struggling with OCD, check out NOCD — a leading virtual health platform that connects people with licensed therapists specially trained in Evidence-Based ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy. NOCD offers live video sessions, between-session therapist messaging, access to in-app therapeutic tools, and a global peer community. Their goal: make expert OCD treatment accessible, effective, and affordable.

➤ Visit https://learn.nocd.com/ocdconfessional to learn more and get matched with an OCD-trained therapist.

🧠 The OCD Confessional is hosted by Liam Martin & Alicia Hill — real stories, intrusive thoughts, and the tools we use to cope (with plenty of laughter).

Disclaimer: The OCD Confessional is intended for education, awareness, and community support only. It does not provide therapy or professional mental-health advice. If you are struggling or in crisis, please seek help from a licensed mental-health professional. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Chris Trondsen on Surviving Severe OCD & Finding Recovery Through ERP