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Autism and OCD overlap far more than most clinicians realise- but where does one end and the other begin? In this episode, Jess and Laura unpack the complex relationship between autism and OCD, exploring how to deliver truly neuroaffirming therapy without inadvertently encouraging masking.
We break down the difference between autistic rumination and OCD rumination, explore sensory sensitivities through an OCD lens, and ask the hard question: can CBT actually harm neurodivergent clients if it's not adapted properly? We also talk shame, medical gaslighting, and what realistic therapy goals look like when autism and OCD co-occur.
Whether you're autistic, OCD, both, or a clinician working with neurodivergent clients, this episode offers practical, validating guidance — plus your Weekly Wins, a listener question, and this week's Exposure Lab.
Topics covered: neuroaffirming therapy, autism and OCD overlap, masking, autistic rumination vs OCD rumination, sensory processing and OCD, CBT adaptations for neurodivergence, medical gaslighting, therapy goal-setting
Mentioned in this episode:
Challenging OCD in Young People with ASD: A CBT Manual for Therapists, by Amita Jassi: https://amzn.eu/d/05SAWcc4
Podcast by:
Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist
and
Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist
Edited by Christian Nickson
Time Stamps:
00:50 Overview of the episode
02:27 Hello and catch up
10:40 Why this episode is focusing on autism
13:26 Brain Spam
17:50 Neurodivergence coocurrence with OCD
19:00 What is neuroaffirming therapy?
21:35 How common is the autism and OCD overlap?
25:15 What OCD and autism have in common
26:28 How OCD and autism differ
30:27 The Venn diagram of OCD and autism to plan therapy
33:24 Shame and low self-esteem around your brain
36:10 How hard it can be to get therapy for neurodivergence and mental health combined
39:30 Autistic experience with mental health is distinct
42:15 Can CBT harm neurodivergent people?
44:20 Autistic rumination and OCD
47:38 When is it helping you to feel safe, and when it makes OCD worse?
49:20 Validating autistic fears
52:00 Needing to be careful around masking
56:30 Sensory needs in OCD
58:00 Autistic health problems and medical gaslighting impact
59:30 There is hope
1:01:10 It has to be their goals
1:01:50 Logic to help
1:02:35 Practical guidelines for therapy
1:05:35 The 'dont's' for therapy
1:06:30 Look back at other episodes
1:07:00 Weekly Wins
1:08:50 Listener Question
1:13:40 Exposure Lab
1:18:40 We want to hear from you
1:19:10 Goodbyes
Get in Touch:
Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us:
Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod
For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd
Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing
Content Warnings:
We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to.
Disclaimer:
This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.
