Compulsive reassurance seeking can be a challenging issue for both clients and therapists to manage. Clients are often highly adept—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly—at eliciting excessive reassurance from therapists and family members. At the same time, resisting the urge to seek reassurance can feel nearly impossible for clients. In this episode, Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC, joins us to discuss core themes from her new book, "The Compulsive Reassurance Workbook". Our conversation covers:
What compulsive reassurance seeking is and its significance across various mental health presentations.
Differentiating between normal reassurance seeking and compulsive reassurance seeking.
Common triggers that lead to compulsive reassurance seeking.
The importance of distress tolerance in managing reassurance-seeking behaviors.
Mental health disorders that are more susceptible to compulsive reassurance-seeking behaviors.
he cycle of reassurance seeking and how it perpetuates anxiety.
Avoiding the use of clinical interventions (e.g., a thought record) as a safety behavior.
Key components of the reassurance-seeking cycle.
Effective metaphors for psychoeducation.
Guidance for family members on navigating this specific challenge.
Treating compulsive reassurance seeking in complex situations (e.g., trauma, pandemics, checking the accuracy of completed tasks).
The role of “extinction bursts” in exposure-based work.
Relapse prevention and normalizing setbacks.
Understanding when to approach versus step back from a feared stimulus.
Managing dysfunctional beliefs about worry.
Feedback or comments? Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.com
Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC specializes in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders. Amanda is the creator of the OCD Exposure Coloring Books and The Compulsive Reassurance Workbook, now available on Amazon. Amanda is on the board for OCD Kansas, an affiliate of the IOCDF (International OCD Foundation) and the president of the Kansas Counseling Association. She has completed the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute through the IOCDF and the Professional Training Institute through the TLC Foundation for BFRBs. Amanda currently provides Teletherapy to the states of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Maine, Arizona and Florida.
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