Episode 65 - Breaking the OCD Cycle: How Parents Can Help with Dr Stuart Brownings
About this episode
This episode discusses how parents can effectively respond to OCD in children with insights from clinical psychologist Dr Stuart Brownings.
What does OCD really look like in children — and how can parents respond in a way that truly helps, rather than unintentionally keeping it going? In this episode, I am joined by Dr Stuart Brownings, a clinical psychologist at a specialist OCD clinic who works exclusively with children, young people and adults experiencing obsessive compulsive disorder. Drawing on both research and extensive clinical experience, Stuart brings clarity, humour and deep compassion to a condition that can feel all-consuming for families. Together, we explore what OCD actually is, moving beyond common stereotypes to understand the full picture, including intrusive thoughts, images, "not quite right" feelings, and the wide range of compulsions that can follow. A key focus of our conversation is accommodation — the everyday ways parents understandably adjust their behaviour in response to their child's anxiety, such as offering reassurance, checking things, or taking part in rituals. Stuart explains why this is so common, why it makes sense, and why it can also keep OCD stuck in a powerful cycle. This is a hopeful and practical conversation for any parent navigating OCD in their family, offering small…
More episodes of Just One Thing for Parents with Dr Bettina Hohnen
- Episode 68 - How Do I Know If My Child Needs Help? with Laura Dimler
- Episode 67 - The Impact of Divorce and Infidelity on Children with Juliet Rosenfeld
- Episode 66 - How To Talk To Teenagers About Their Brains with Dr Sarah McKay
- Episode 64 - A Long-Form Special: Living in the Age of Diagnosis with Dr Anna Hutchinson and Dr Libby Nugent
- Episode 63 - Surviving (and Thriving in) Neurodiverse Parenting with Professor Amanda Kirby
- Episode 62 - Helping Children Make and Keep Friends with Dr Eileen Kennedy-Moore
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Just One Thing for Parents with Dr Bettina Hohnen podcast page.