OCD, Anxiety & Intimacy – Breaking the Stigma with Sarah Hazleton, LICSW

In this eye-opening episode, I’m joined by Sarah Hazleton, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker specializing in OCD and anxiety-related disorders, to explore how OCD and anxiety uniquely impact intimacy, relationships, and sexuality.

Sarah breaks down how OCD manifests through intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and subtypes such as Relationship OCD and Pure O. We discuss the emotional toll of stigma and shame, particularly when sexual and intimate thoughts are involved, and the critical importance of specialized treatment like Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Whether you're personally affected or seeking to better understand a loved one, this conversation offers compassionate insight, practical guidance, and much-needed validation.

✨ In this episode:
– The many faces of OCD: Relationship OCD, Pure O & more
– How intrusive thoughts affect intimacy and identity
– Therapy approaches that work: ERP & ACT
– How to find qualified OCD and anxiety specialists
– Reducing stigma around sexual, gender, and intimacy-related intrusive thoughts

📖 Read the article mentioned: Impact of OCD on Sex Life (Verywell Mind)

🔗 Learn more about Sarah at hazeltoncounseling.com

#OCD #Anxiety #MentalHealthAwareness #RelationshipOCD #PureO #ExposureResponsePrevention #SexualIntrusiveThoughts #MentalHealthPodcast #OCDTherapy #SarahHazleton #SexPositiveHealing