168. Why you can’t stop OCD thoughts and what actually works (Acceptance Explained)

🧠Can you really accept OCD thoughts without agreeing with them? And what does “acceptance” actually look like when your mind is attacking you nonstop?

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova, LMFT, speaks with Dr. Sarah Brungardt, psychologist and founder of Calm OCD. Together, they explore one of the most misunderstood (and feared) concepts in OCD recovery: accepting intrusive thoughts without engaging in compulsions.

Dr. Brungardt breaks down what acceptance truly means, why fighting thoughts keeps OCD stronger, and how learning to tolerate uncomfortable emotions can give you your life back.

Dr. Sarah opens up about: • Why the goal of OCD therapy is not eliminating thoughts or emotions • How emotional reasoning keeps people stuck in compulsive loops • Why rumination is one of the most overlooked compulsions in OCD • What real acceptance looks like in daily life (and why it feels impossible at first)

Acceptance doesn’t mean approval. It doesn’t mean giving up. It means learning how to live with uncertainty instead of letting OCD control your choices. Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight into how acceptance actually works in recovery.

📲 About Sara Brungardt (guest): • CEO of "calmocd" • OCD & Anxiety Specialist • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calmocd/ • CalmOCD web page: https://www.calmocd.com/

✂️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] – Meet Dr. Sarah Brungardt: Your Guide to Understanding OCD[01:17] – Why “Acceptance” Sounds Impossible at First[03:23] – Sitting With Feelings That Feel Unbearable[05:47] – How Can You Avoid Engaging with Thoughts[08:03] – Acceptance Is the First Exposure[09:59] – How Long OCD Recovery Really Takes[12:10] – How can I feel positive emotions during OCD attacks[13:51] – How can you stop trying to figure out OCD thoughts[16:29] – When Acceptance Becomes the Obsession

✅ Resources & Links

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✅ About OCD Whisperer Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.

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