CBT School is where you can find IOCDF Advocate, OCD specialist, and author Kimberley Quinlan’s online self-help courses for OCD and related anxiety disorders. Kim also features an entire section called the Meditation Vault, which involves a “no-BS” approach that is perfect whether you already practice or are considering trying meditation for the very first time. I just love Kim’s approach to OCD treatment; her areas of expertise in self-compassion and mindfulness are real game-changers. CBT School is an epic resource that I highly recommend checking out! You can also buy The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD written by Kim online or at a bookstore near you. Kim truly is one of the best!
Connect 4 OCD founded by Katia Brosseau, is a supportive, Canada-based community for parents, caregivers, spouses, and individuals affected by OCD. Connect 4 OCD mission is to raise awareness about OCD and emphasise the importance of evidence-based treatment. Katia is an incredible OCD advocate, a parent whose child has been diagnosed with OCD, and whose approach is deeply personal and heart felt. Connect 4 OCD focuses on advocacy, awareness, providing invaluable information and a safe space for open connection. I highly recommend checking out Connect 4 OCD, Katia is one of the best!
One of the best organisations for OCD support is most definitely the International OCD Foundation! I can’t recommend the IOCDF enough. They have helped me massively in my recovery journey by providing invaluable knowledge, guidance, and a connection to an amazing community. They also host weekly live streams across all social media platforms featuring world-renown specialists, advocates, and individuals living with OCD. I highly recommend checking them out!
The IOCDF Creative Expression Special Interest Group hosted by Erika McCoy, Halima Flynt, and Krista Reed is incredible for all things creative! The hosts are absolute rockstars who always bring fun to the sessions. Erika personally transformed my creative outlook by reminding me that all forms of creativity are beautiful, and that the process itself is deeply healing. We all have an inner creative genius to bring to the table. Since joining, I haven’t looked back. I love being a part of this community, creating art, and connecting through the theme of the day. If this has piqued your interest, I highly recommend joining! It is a truly special space that builds lifelong bonds within the OCD community.
MindfulRights was founded by mental health advocate and friend Monirul Islam. This impactful human rights project in Bangladesh is currently operating virtually, centering its vital work around four key pillars: mental health rights, digital and privacy rights, office worker rights, and the protection and promotion of human rights defenders. Through these focus areas, MindfulRights is dedicated to fostering a more just and inclusive society where the fundamental rights of every individual are truly honoured. Monirul is an incredibly passionate and inspiring leader who is actively changing the landscape of mental health advocacy in Bangladesh. If you would like to find out more or support Monirul with this incredible initiative, please click below!
NOCD is another phenomenal organisation for OCD resources. They provide specialised online therapy and support groups globally, making evidence-based treatment highly accessible. Additionally, NOCD hosts engaging weekly live streams across social media channels, featuring insight from leading specialists, dedicated advocates, and peers sharing their lived experiences.
OCD Action is an outstanding UK based charity providing exceptional resources to anyone worldwide affected by OCD. In addition to their educational resources, they offer over 50 virtual support groups to help individuals connect and heal within the community. You can explore everything OCD Action has to offer from the link below!
OCD Friends is a compassionate, empowering, and safe space where the entire OCD community can come together and bond. I absolutely love this group, which was created by my good friend and OCD advocate Richard Amato, who constantly uplifts everyone as a bright beacon of hope. My good friend and fellow IOCDF Grassroots Advocate Mike Sizemore is also a significant contributor whose compassion and solidarity are unparalleled in bringing the OCD community together.
OCD Recovery Turning Points was founded by author, advocate, Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, and former president of the IOCDF Shannon Shy. It is an incredible hub for empowerment, inspiration, support, and resources. Shannon has created an epic, game-changing course called ‘OCD Recovery Turning Points,’ where he explains exactly how he developed and implemented his strategy to overcome the hell pit of OCD. He is completely open about his own recovery journey, making this one of the most inspirational and empowering courses I have ever enrolled in. The course also features guest appearances from world-renowned specialists, including Dr Jenny C. Yip, Jon Abramowitz, Sean Shinnock and Heather Seaman. Shannon is a true hero to the entire OCD community. You can find his transformative books available online or at your local bookstore!
The OCD Resources and Guidance International Facebook group is one of the premier spaces on social media for community support. It was created by my good friend and IOCDF Grassroots Advocate, Staci Hershman, who is a phenomenal advocate and one of the absolute kindest people you will ever meet. The group features an extensive library of educational materials easily found right on the main page and within the guides and files sections.
The OCD Research, Education and Support Facebook group was co-created by researcher Jordan Till and IOCDF Grassroots Advocate and good friend, Amy Ellickson. This group is an exceptional hub on social media for expanding your knowledge and accessing their wealth of educational resources. Both Amy and Jordan are incredibly passionate advocates to which I highly recommend joining their community!
OCD-UK is a fantastic UK-based non-profit charity dedicated to providing exceptional resources and information to anyone worldwide affected by OCD. They also host a brilliant schedule of weekly virtual support groups that are accessible worldwide. You can find out more about their organisation and mission from the link below!
OCD SoCal is a fantastic US-based non-profit charity and an official affiliate of the International OCD Foundation in California. They offer exceptional resources, support, and both in-person and virtual conferences accessible to anyone worldwide. Good friend Chris Trondsen (Board Member and Vice-President) and Liz Trondsen (Board Member and Family Advocate), are incredible inspiring advocates who host a fantastic monthly virtual support group for families and loved ones. Chris is truly one of the most inspirational advocates I know and a true hero; I highly recommend checking out his deeply moving and powerful story!
The OCD Warrior Badass Tribe is a community support group founded and created by me out of a deep passion for connecting people with lived experience, advocates, and specialists worldwide. The tribe is built on solidarity, unity, empowerment, and mutual respect, where we treat each other like one big family as we uplift one another and normalise the recovery journey. The special core foundation of the Tribe is how every single person rallies each other every step of the way, championing the OCD warrior mentality that no matter what adversity OCD presents with, you can overcome it. That’s what makes this group truly badass. If you would like to join The OCD Warrior Badass Tribe, please follow the link below!
OCD Western Australia (OCD WA) is a phenomenal non-profit charity founded by IOCDF Advocate and good friend, Leigh Sheppard. OCD WA provides exceptional resources, inspirational stories and hosts fortnightly facilitated peer support groups for individuals or supporters. Whether you reside in Australia, the Southern Hemisphere, or anywhere else worldwide, you are warmly welcome to connect with the OCD WA community.
OCD Writer is an exceptional platform founded by my mentor, good friend, IOCDF Grassroots Advocate, author, and OCD specialist Carol Edwards. Carol has published numerous insightful blogs, sharing invaluable knowledge and raising vital awareness for Visual Tourettic OCD. As a passionate advocate with lived experience, she has written four cutting-edge transformative books on navigating classic OCD and Visual Tourettic OCD using evidence-based treatments and recovery techniques. Carol’s advocacy is a true game-changer that has helped and saved thousands worldwide. I highly recommend exploring OCD Writer, Carol is genuinely one of the best in the field!
Peace of Mind is a phenomenal US-based, non-profit organisation whose mission is to improve the quality of life for OCD sufferers and caregivers. It was founded by OCD specialist and IOCDF National Advocate Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale. Over the years, they have served nearly 600,000 users by providing invaluable educational materials, self-help tools, and scholarship opportunities. Peace of Mind has now merged with the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), meaning their incredible legacy and resources live on as part of the IOCDF community. I highly recommend checking out Peace of Mind, Liz is one of the best!
Relationship Renegades was founded by actors, empowerment speakers, and wellness coaches Rachele Brooke Smith and Emilio Palafox. What can I say about these two incredible people? They are absolutely awesome! They empowered and inspired me massively on my journey to believe that I can strive and thrive in life, no matter what obstacles come my way. They helped lift and light me up when I was at rock bottom, battling severe OCD. I learned a whole new mindset and perspective on life through Relationship Renegades, and I can’t thank Rachele and Emilio enough. They do game-changing work with couples’ relationships and individuals’ self-love. If you’re looking to be inspired, empowered, and lit up, or if you want to view the world through a different lens, Relationship Renegades is for you! I can’t recommend checking them out enough. They are true, real-life heroes!
Stick With The Ick was founded by the one and only, the amazing, IOCDF Lead Advocate Rev. Dr. Katie O’Dunne! SWTI is one of the best apps worldwide for OCD resources, awareness, support, and community. Especially for anyone navigating faith, moral OCD, and scrupulosity. I just love everything about this app; it creates a safe space to sit with the discomfort of intrusive thoughts. It is so easy to navigate, and everyone in the community is so compassionate! SWTI also hosts virtual support groups led by OCD specialists and advocates. Sign up now you won’t regret it, Katie is one of the best!
Taming Olivia was founded by OCD Action Advocate and Executive Producer of the short film Waving, Catherine Benfield. Taming Olivia is an epic place for free, exceptional OCD resources. Catherine blogs and shares her journey navigating OCD so openly, championing self-compassion and breaking the stigma around distressing intrusive thoughts. Taming Olivia is also co-developing an OCD prevention app alongside the University of Bath and the NHS, which is going to be an absolute game-changer and the first of its kind internationally! The organisation also collaborates closely with a range of UK and international OCD charities, including OCD Action, Maternal OCD, OCD-UK, Orchard OCD, and the International OCD Foundation.
Vase Your Fears was founded by potter, digital creator, and OCD advocate Halima Flynt! Halima sits on the board of OCD North Carolina and co-leads the IOCDF Creative Expression Special Interest Group. I love her unique blend of art and advocacy. Through Vase Your Fears, she creates stunning mental health empowerment designs, including handcrafted pottery, jewellery, postcards, and stickers with a portion of proceeds donated back to OCD charities! I can personally vouch for Halima’s work, as I have one of her handcrafted, flowery empowerment mugs, and it is an absolute favourite of mine. I highly recommend checking out Halima’s website and social media!
The Visual Tourettic OCD Facebook support group is a safe, non-judgmental, supportive, inspiring, and empowering space for all who have lived experience with this subtype. Advocates, clinicians, researchers, and loved ones who wish to learn more or offer support are more than welcome to join! The group’s front page features a dedicated section sharing fantastic resources, recovery stories, and support groups. These are compiled and shared by advocates, certified peer support specialists, and OCD specialists. An incredible admin team runs the group, continuously maintaining its safety and privacy.
I highly recommend this Facebook support group if you’re experiencing VTO. Remember, you are not alone; this disorder doesn’t define you, and you are more powerful than it can ever be. Your resilience and courage prove just that. We, the group, believe in you. Recovery is possible, and you can do it!
Address Staring OCD: How to Manage Visual Tics and Obsessions is hands down the best book I’ve read regarding Visual Tourettic OCD (VTO). The author, IOCDF Grassroots Advocate and OCD Writer founder Carol Edwards, shares her full lived experience with this highly misunderstood subtype. She explains how she galvanised her own recovery journey through training as a CBT Therapist. By directly testing and implementing evidence-based strategies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Habit Reversal Training (HRT), Carol successfully mapped out her path to wellness. Her book is deeply inspiring, empowering, and packed with practical tools. I highly recommend it to all fellow VTO warriors and to clinicians or loved ones who want to gain a greater understanding about this subtype theme of OCD.
Three Powerful Steps to Help You See Uncertainty and ERP Differently is a fantastic book by Carol Edwards. In this resource, Carol explores uncertainty and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) through an Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (I-CBT) lens. By offering a fresh perspective and mindset for engaging in ERP, this book provides valuable insights to support your recovery journey.
3 Effective Ways to Treat OCD and Reclaim Your Life is another exceptional book by Carol Edwards. This resource provides a wealth of knowledge and guidance, exploring OCD treatment through three powerful recovery methods: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).
Starring globally acclaimed actor Ralph Ineson (The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Witch, The First Omen, Game of Thrones), Waving is one of the best adaptations for OCD I’ve ever seen. An extremely powerful and unflinching film that shows the true realism of OCD.
Viewer Discretion Advised
The film contains scenes depicting intensive, intrusive thoughts that some may find triggering.
© 2024, Matthew Bannister CPSS: OCD & Related Anxiety Disorders Peer Support. All Rights Reserved.
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