43 | Teen OCD & Anxiety: How to Help Your Child Navigate Intrusive Thoughts with Ben Sedley
Hi Parents,
Does your teen feel trapped in their own mind - overwhelmed by constant “what if” thoughts or stuck in repetitive behaviors they feel they have to do “just in case”? You're not alone - and neither are they.
In this episode, I sit down with Ben Sedley, clinical psychologist, author, and expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to explore how anxiety and OCD show up in teens - and what parents can do to help. With over two decades of experience, Ben has supported teens as they navigate obsessive thinking, anxiety spirals, and the deep shame that often comes with intrusive thoughts. If your teen is struggling and you feel unsure of how to help, this conversation will offer clarity, direction, and hope.
We talk about what OCD really is - beyond the common myths of being neat or orderly - and how intrusive thoughts work, why everyone has them, and when they cross the line into OCD. Ben breaks down how compulsions might momentarily ease anxiety, but often trap teens in a deeper cycle of fear and distress. We also explore the subtle ways parents may unintentionally reinforce anxiety and how shifting to more supportive responses can make a meaningful difference.
Ben’s compassionate, real-world advice reminds us that while we can’t take anxiety away, we can help our kids build the tools they need to live fully - even with fear.
More About Ben:
Ben Sedley is a New Zealand-based clinical psychologist and co-founder of ACT Wellington, where he works with teens, families, and adults using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. He’s also the author of several books designed to help kids, teens, and parents better understand and manage anxiety, including:
📖 Stuff That Sucks: A Teen's Guide to Accepting What You Can't Change and Committing to What You Can
📖 Stuff That's Loud: A Teen's Guide to Unspiraling When OCD Gets Noisy
This episode is filled with powerful insights to help your teen feel less alone - and more in control - no matter what their mind throws at them.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
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