Beyond the Doubt

Anxiety

You Want Me to Want My Anxiety During OCD Therapy?

Shala Nicely on April 9, 2025

While wanting anxiety takes OCD's power and makes it our own, it's not a fake construct we're using to fool OCD. Instead, it's how we live our lives when we're pursuing meaning.

While wanting anxiety takes OCD's power and makes it our own, it's not a fake construct we're using to fool OCD. Instead, it's how we live our lives when we're pursuing meaning.

OCD

Enjoying the Messy, Uncertain Process

Shala Nicely on January 13, 2021

Do you feel your life is flying by because you're trying to "get through" things one after the other? Slow life down by learning to enjoy the messy, uncertain process.

Do you feel your life is flying by because you're trying to "get through" things one after the other? Slow life down by learning to enjoy the messy, uncertain process.

OCD

The Need to Feel Seen

Shala Nicely on September 28, 2020

Not feeling seen is not only invalidating — it's threatening. Here are five simple ways you can let others around you know that they matter.

Not feeling seen is not only invalidating — it's threatening. Here are five simple ways you can let others around you know that they matter.

Relationships

Lessons from Love...and Loss...of Lee

Shala Nicely on July 23, 2020

We’re all experiencing loss and grief due to COVID-19. I'm sharing lessons from my love and loss of my 35-year-old Arabian horse in hopes that they will bring you comfort.

We’re all experiencing loss and grief due to COVID-19. I'm sharing lessons from my love and loss of my 35-year-old Arabian horse in hopes that they will bring you comfort.

Anxiety

Respond Instead of React: Managing COVID-19 Anxiety

Shala Nicely on March 30, 2020

Borrowing from CBT tools for anxiety, we can learn to turn our reactions into responses, helping us and our loved ones cope well in times of crisis.

Borrowing from CBT tools for anxiety, we can learn to turn our reactions into responses, helping us and our loved ones cope well in times of crisis.

OCD

3 Ways to Power Up Your OCD Therapy

Shala Nicely on January 8, 2020

The attitude taken by successful OCD tamers is that they are going to turn OCD’s world upside down.

The attitude taken by successful OCD tamers is that they are going to turn OCD’s world upside down.

OCD

Ruby Campbell’s Gift to the OCD Community

Shala Nicely on October 9, 2019

As we celebrate OCD Awareness Week, let’s keep the memory of Ruby Campbell alive by remembering her approach to the ocean, to OCD, and to life.

As we celebrate OCD Awareness Week, let’s keep the memory of Ruby Campbell alive by remembering her approach to the ocean, to OCD, and to life.

OCD

The Subtle OCD Compulsion You Might Not Know You're Doing

Shala Nicely on August 26, 2019

Many people with OCD are depressed, but did you know that depression can also be a compulsion? Learn how to spot and rectify this subtle but OCD-empowering ritual.

Many people with OCD are depressed, but did you know that depression can also be a compulsion? Learn how to spot and rectify this subtle but OCD-empowering ritual.

OCD

The Unintended Consequences of Saying OCD Can Be Cured

Shala Nicely on July 5, 2019

If people with OCD have unrealistic recovery expectations, they are likely to fall into the self-critical shame trap, which hurts them and their recoveries.

If people with OCD have unrealistic recovery expectations, they are likely to fall into the self-critical shame trap, which hurts them and their recoveries.

OCD

The Best TED Talks for People With OCD: Part 5

Shala Nicely on April 17, 2019

Avoid the trap of black and white thinking to push out of your comfort zone and pursue what's meaningful.

Avoid the trap of black and white thinking to push out of your comfort zone and pursue what's meaningful.

OCD

What Everyone Wants

Shala Nicely on March 22, 2019

Do you sometimes feel disconnected from others because you have OCD? A simple cognitive shift can help you rediscover that we're all very much alike in all the ways that matter.

Do you sometimes feel disconnected from others because you have OCD? A simple cognitive shift can help you rediscover that we're all very much alike in all the ways that matter.

OCD

The Best TED Talks for People With OCD: Part 4

Shala Nicely on December 11, 2018

Embracing vulnerability and understanding how to handle shame are crucial if you want to win your life back from OCD.

Embracing vulnerability and understanding how to handle shame are crucial if you want to win your life back from OCD.

OCD

The Best TED Talks for People with OCD: Part 3

Shala Nicely on September 19, 2018

Think you have no choice but to wearily and grudgingly tolerate the anxiety that comes with OCD? Think again.

Think you have no choice but to wearily and grudgingly tolerate the anxiety that comes with OCD? Think again.

OCD

The Best TED Talks for People with OCD: Part 2

Shala Nicely on September 6, 2018

Acting as though what your OCD says is irrelevant is one of the most powerful exposure and response prevention (ERP) strategies.

Acting as though what your OCD says is irrelevant is one of the most powerful exposure and response prevention (ERP) strategies.

OCD

The Best TED Talks for People with OCD: Part 1

Shala Nicely on August 29, 2018

The best TED Talks for people with OCD have nothing directly to do with the disorder, but their insights can make a surprising impact on your recovery.

The best TED Talks for people with OCD have nothing directly to do with the disorder, but their insights can make a surprising impact on your recovery.

OCD

Taming OCD and Reclaiming Your Life

Shala Nicely on May 30, 2018

Success comes from defining recovery as a journey, not a destination.

Success comes from defining recovery as a journey, not a destination.

OCD

I’m an OCD Therapist With OCD. And I Don’t Do ERP Perfectly

Shala Nicely on April 23, 2018

There’s a surprising upside to slipping up in exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) for OCD.

There’s a surprising upside to slipping up in exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) for OCD.

OCD

Why There’s No Cure for OCD

Shala Nicely on April 13, 2018

There's a simple reason that OCD isn't curable. But don't despair. Having OCD that's treated with exposure therapy just might make you "better than normal."

There's a simple reason that OCD isn't curable. But don't despair. Having OCD that's treated with exposure therapy just might make you "better than normal."

OCD

The Hidden Power of Swearing at Your OCD

Shala Nicely on November 3, 2017

Cursing at OCD is empowering and it makes exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD more fun.

Cursing at OCD is empowering and it makes exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD more fun.

OCD

Attitude Matters If You Want to Beat OCD

Shala Nicely on August 8, 2017

How a shift in attitude can turn unexpected OCD triggers into fabulous brain-training opportunities.

How a shift in attitude can turn unexpected OCD triggers into fabulous brain-training opportunities.