Understanding Parental Accommodation in OCD: Breaking the Cycle
DEC 15, 202527 MIN
Understanding Parental Accommodation in OCD: Breaking the Cycle
DEC 15, 202527 MIN
Description
<p>In this insightful episode, we explore the concept of parental accommodation — the well-intentioned ways family members and loved ones may unknowingly reinforce OCD behaviours. Drawing from the research of Professor Eli Liebowitz (Yale) and real-world clinical experience, the hosts unpack how accommodation develops, why it’s so hard to stop, and how families can begin to make meaningful change.</p><p>From checking, reassuring, or adapting routines “just to keep the peace,” to facing meltdowns, fear, or guilt when setting limits — this conversation goes deep into what it means to hold boundaries with compassion. You’ll hear about ERP therapy, the SPACE model, and practical ways clinicians and parents can work together to reduce accommodation and empower recovery.</p><p>💬 Key themes:</p><p>• What “parental accommodation” means and how it maintains OCD</p><p>• Why well-meaning reassurance can make symptoms stronger</p><p>• The difference between anxiety disorders and OCD</p><p>• Supporting children, teens, and adults through distress safely</p><p>• Helping parents tolerate their own emotions and model resilience</p><p>• How reducing accommodation can rebuild connection and trust in families</p><p>• Managing clinician fears around self-harm threats and safety planning</p><br><p>🔖 Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introducing the topic: Parental Accommodation and OCD</p><p>02:00 What it means to accommodate and why we do it</p><p>05:00 How everyday reassurance turns into OCD reinforcement</p><p>08:00 Fear, meltdowns, and why it’s hard for families to stop accommodating</p><p>11:00 Emotions, modelling, and learning to tolerate discomfort</p><p>14:00 The SPACE model and clinician guidance</p><p>17:00 Working with parental fear and client safety</p><p>21:00 Reducing accommodation step-by-step</p><p>25:00 Supporting families when clients resist change</p><p>26:40 Why it works — even if the client isn’t in therapy</p><br><p>#OCD #ERP #ParentalAccommodation #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapyTalk #FamilyTherapy #SPACEModel #OCDRecovery #ClinicianSupport #ParentingAndMentalHealth #EmotionalRegulation</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>