ERP Is the Coolest Thing!

You are going to absolutely LOVE this episode of Your Anxiety Toolkit if you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or any other mental health struggle.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Nathalie Maragoni, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, this week and it is very special for a few reasons.  In addition to specializing in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders, Nathalie has managed OCD herself and knows exactly what it is like to experience the torture and terror that accompanies intrusive thoughts, brutal compulsions, and panic attacks.  She has experienced firsthand the value of Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) and said it best herself: “ERP is the coolest thing!”

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In this podcast episode of Your Anxiety Toolkit, Nathalie bravely shares her struggle to find the correct therapy for her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and her struggle with different types of obsessions and compulsions.  As I have talked about before, themes of obsessions can shift over time and compulsions can be both physical and mental. Nathalie talks with us about her journey driving 1.5 hours to get treatment from a specialist who used Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP).  She says, “Willingness is the key to managing OCD.”  Her statement could not be truer and we are so grateful that she shared her love for Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) with us.  As Nathalie says, “ERP is the coolest thing!” 

Nathalie shares how essential it is to continue ERP after treatment.  She also talks about the importance of applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).   Natalie found that getting the appropriate treatment (ERP) alone was not enough to help her live a full and thriving life while managing OCD and discusses how ACT contributes to her value-based living.  Instead of fusing with her thoughts, she can just allow them to be there. Natalie discusses her application of the book The Happiness Trap in her life to help her understand that “Every experience comes with a good feeling and a bad feeling.”  Click HERE for more information about Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. 

About Kimberley Quinlan

Kimberley Quinlan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Eating Disorders, Panic Disorder and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB’s).  Kimberley is highly trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with a heavy emphasis on Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), and has been practicing meditation and mindfulness for many years.  Kimberley has a special interest in the integration of mindfulness principles with CBT for OCD, Anxiety Disorders, and Eating Disorders.  Kimberley has experience treating adults, adolescents, and children, and tailors each program to suit the age and cognitive development of each client.  Kimberley has a private practice in Calabasas and Westlake Village. 

About Nathalie Maragoni

Nathalie Maragoni is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at OCDSpecialists.com.  They now have offices in Bakersfeild and Los Angeles under Supervisor, Stacey Kuhl Wochner.  Nathalie can be found on Instagram at @mindonfire_ocd.