In this episode, Helen is joined by Mia and Alice Farrington to talk about OCD in children and young people. Mia shares her lived experience of developing OCD as a child and what it was like to go through CBT with Alice as her therapist. Alice, a clinical psychologist at the Oxford Specialist Psychological Intervention Centre, explains how OCD presents differently in young people than in adults, why CBT works so well, and what treatment can look like, including externalising OCD and using behavioural experiments.

The conversation also covers guilt and shame, the impact on families, how OCD can change its "mask" over time, and where to find support.

Resources & Support:

Find out more about the resources and support mentioned in this podcast at OCD UK: https://www.ocduk.org

Find out more about Oxford Health Specialist Psychological Intervention Centre: https://oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/ohspic/

If you or someone you know needs urgent help, reach out to Samaritans at 116 123 (UK) or visit samaritans.org

We have more information on how you can find help and support on our Mental health support services page here: https://babcp.com/what-is-cbt/mental-health-support-services-information/

Find more information about CBT- www.babcp.com

Find our sister podcasts and all our other episodes in our podcast hub here: https://babcp.com/Podcasts

Have feedback? Email us at podcasts@babcp.com
Follow us on Instagram & Bluesky: @BABCPpodcasts

Credits:
Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee
License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF
This episode was produced by Steph Curnow

In this episode, Helen is joined by Becky and Romanah to talk about specific phobias and how CBT can help.

Becky shares her personal experience of living with a phobia of medical situations, also known as blood-injury phobia, what it took for her to seek help, and what the journey through therapy was really like, including the tough moments alongside the breakthroughs. Romanah was Becky's CBT therapist in an NHS Talking Therapies service and explains how CBT approaches specific phobias, the importance of working collaboratively, and how exposure work helps people gradually build confidence in situations they have long been avoiding.

Becky reflects honestly on how hard the process was, how the anxiety got worse before it got better, and what it meant to build trust with a therapist who was both supportive and willing to give her a gentle push. Both guests share advice for anyone who recognises themselves in the discussion and is thinking about reaching out for help.

Resources & Support:

If you or someone you know needs urgent help, reach out to Samaritans at 116 123 (UK) or visit samaritans.org.

Find out more about NHS Talking Therapies services and where to find help here

We have more information on how you can find help and support on our Mental health support services page here

Find more information about CBT on the BABCP website

Find our sister podcasts and all our other episodes in our podcast hub here

Have feedback? Email us at podcasts@babcp.com

Follow us on Instagram & Bluesky: @BABCPpodcasts

Credits: Music is Autumn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF

This episode was produced by Steph Curnow

In this episode, Helen is joined by Colin Blowers, James Jackson, and Hashir Aazh for a thoughtful conversation about tinnitus and how cognitive behavioural therapy can help.

The panel draws on professional expertise and lived experience to explore what tinnitus is, why it can become distressing, and the importance of getting it checked. The conversation focuses on how CBT can support people to change their relationship with tinnitus, reduce distress, break unhelpful cycles of attention and anxiety, and live a full and meaningful life even when tinnitus is present. Key themes include acceptance, habituation, flare-ups, and why learning to manage reactions to tinnitus, rather than trying to eliminate it, can make a real difference.

This episode will be helpful for anyone experiencing tinnitus, supporting someone who is, or interested in how CBT can help people live well with long-term conditions.

Resources & Support:

Helpful website:

NHS information about tinnitus: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tinnitus/

More information about tinnitus can be found at Tinnitus UK

World Tinnitus Congress- https://wtc2027.co.uk/

Books:

Living Well with Tinnitus: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural therapy- Hashir Aazh and Brian C.J. Moore

Find more information about CBT- www.babcp.com

Find our sister podcasts and all our other episodes in our podcast hub here: https://babcp.com/Podcasts

Have feedback? Email us at podcasts@babcp.com

Follow us on Instagram & Bluesky: @BABCPpodcasts

Credits:

Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee

License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF

This episode was produced by Steph Curnow