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2 October 2020

Today on Your Anxiety Toolkit, we are joined by Gelong Thubten, a Buddhist monk, meditation teacher and the author of A Monk’s Guide to Happiness. He is here to discuss how mindfulness and meditation can help us understand the power of our own minds. This episode is not about religion, rather, it is a beautiful message of wisdom and compassion.

In this beginning of this episode, Gelong Thubten spends some time discussing happiness and how this desire to be happy really drives everything we do in life. The search for happiness can get us caught in a loop where we ultimately end up feeling more and more dissatisfied. He points out that the goal is to learn that true happiness is already inside each one of us. He goes even further to say that we can actually learn to be happy. It is a skill that we can practice. He explains that meditation can help us learn to be kinder to ourselves by teaching us how to transform our relationship with our thoughts. We become an observer of our thoughts during meditation. This non-judgment of thoughts and letting our thoughts simply be, actually allows us to have compassion for the moment and compassion for ourselves.

Gelong Thubten gives some suggestions on how to begin a practice of mindfulness and mediation if you are a beginner. He stresses that there is no perfect way to meditate and it truly is a practice that you must work on. You don’t have to do it perfectly for it to be effective. He suggests getting some instruction on how to meditate whether that is a book or online resource or even an app on your phone. He also suggests starting in very short increments, such as, five minute sessions. You begin your meditation by focusing on your body and finding your breath. When your mind wanders, do not engage in self-criticism, simply come back to your breath.

We learn in this episode that meditation is a time of total freedom. You simply are in the moment, without judgment. By practicing these moments of nonjudgmental acceptance throughout the day, you are learning compassion which eventually will become your natural state. Gelong Thubten explains that our bodies are not designed for anger and rage. When we are happy, generous, kind, and connecting with others, we feel good inside, we feel happy which suggests that is our natural state. In other words, who we are deep down before we get caught up in negative and toxic outside influences. Meditation, he explains, is about bringing us back to that natural state.

A Monk’s Guide to Happiness: Meditation in the 21st Century

www.gelongthubten.com

Instagram @Gelongthubten

27 September 2019

In today’s episode, we are talking all about how to manage Perfectionism. I am so honored to have Monica Packer on the podcast as this week’s guest, as she has such an inspirational story about how she was impacted by perfectionism and what steps she is taking each day to take her life back from Perfectionism.  This episode is jam packed with tools and strategies to demonstrate how to manage perfectionism in your life.  

In this episode, Monica answered the below questions and delivered some incredible insight into how to manage perfectionism in areas I myself had never considered.  

• What is perfectionism and how has it impacted your life?
• What did perfectionism look like for you personally? 
• We often praise people who are “perfect.”  What are your thoughts on this? 
• At what point in your life did you realize you were a perfectionist? 
• What did perfectionism look like for you personally? 
• How long had you experienced perfectionism? 
• What was your experience with overcoming perfectionism? 
• What advice do you have to those who experience perfectionism?
• Were there any roadblocks/setbacks etc to this journey for you?

If you are early in the process of learning about perfectionism or you are well aware of your perfectionistic characteristics, I am sure you will benefit from this incredible interview.

For more information on Monica, visit:

Instagram: @aboutprogress 

Facebook: @aboutprogress

Website: aboutprogress.com

Before we go, I want to remind you that ERP School for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is available for purchase until October 1, 2019! ERP School is a complete online course that teaches how to apply Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) to your Obsessions and Compulsions. Click HERE for more information and to purchase.

20 September 2019

This week’s episode of Your Anxiety Toolkit is called “Watch your mouth” and I mean that in the kindest possible way. I know we usually hear the phrase “Watch your mouth” as a phrase of discipline and can often be shocked or intimidated by such a statement. In this episode, we talk all about the words we use in daily life. 

We address how we often say things that simply are not true, or are quite unkind. Because we often unconsciously believe what we tell ourselves, we have be careful not to address ourselves in ways that are unhelpful. Take a quick look at the below examples:
• “I NEVER do anything right”
• “I am so BAD for having this thought”
• “You ALWAYS make me anxious” 

Here are a few examples of ways in which we say things that are untrue and unhelpful. When we do this, we not only feed ourselves stories that are unhelpful but we also create an environment where negativity exists. I can make the assumption that these negative statements are not helpful for you. In this episode, we hope to inspire you to “watch your mouth” carefully and take note when you are speaking in a way that might exacerbate your anxiety. 

ALSO, We also have fabulous news! Exposure & Response Prevention School is BACK!

ERP School was carefully created to cover the most important components of Exposure & Response Prevention. The ERP School includes the following modules: 
1. The Science behind Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
2. Identifying YOUR Obsessions and Compulsions
3. Different Approaches to Practicing Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
1. Gradual Exposure & Response Prevention
2. Scripting and Flooding.
3. Opposite Action Skills
4. Interoceptive ERP
5. Let’s Get Creative with ERP
4. Managing Uncertainty and Discomfort with Mindfulness
5. Troubleshooting Common Issues and Concerns
6. BONUS Material: OCD Sub-types and Themes

We like to keep the courses super affordable so that everyone gets a chance to learn the tools needed to manage anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions. Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) School is $197.  

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) School includes 18 videos, supplemental PDF’s and handouts to help you apply the content to your obsessions and compulsions, as well as a BONUS 7 videos on applying ERP to the common OCD Sub-types.

In total, the course is almost 5 hours of the same ERP information and skills I teach my face-to-face clients.

CBT School is committed to supporting you throughout this process. If you have any questions, Kimberley meets bi-monthly on Facebook and Instagram for her LIVE MAGIC MONDAY Q&A hour (every second and fourth Monday at 12 pm PST) where she answers questions and troubleshoots any concerns you may have.

Once you have purchased the course, you will have unlimited access to the videos.

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) School is available for purchase just a few times per year. The cart for ERP School will open again September 20th, 2019 so get excited!

For more information on the course and to purchase, click HERE.

16 September 2019

FREE TRAINING:
10 Things You Absolutely Need To Know About OCD
Available September 16-20th, 2019
If you have OCD, or you know someone who does, please join us each evening at 6 pm PDT to learn about the 10 things you need to know about OCD.⁠
🌸⁠
Things to note: ⁠
It’s free! ⁠
Its offered each evening this week. ⁠
The webinar is pre-recorded and will be sent directly to your inbox. ⁠
It’s FREE! ⁠
You can watch it in your PJ’s⁠
If you miss the training, a replay will be sent to your inbox the following day. ⁠
Did I mention that it is free? ⁠
I LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE YOU ENJOY IT! ⁠https://www.cbtschool.com/10things

ONLINE OCD VIDEO

COURSE:
ERP School was carefully created to cover the most important components of Exposure & Response Prevention.   The ERP School includes the following modules:

1. The Science behind Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) 
2. Identifying YOUR Obsessions and Compulsions 
3. Different Approaches to Practicing Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) 
   1. Gradual Exposure & Response Prevention
   2. Scripting and Flooding. 
   3. Opposite Action Skills 
   4. Interoceptive ERP 
   5. Let’s Get Creative with ERP
4. Managing Uncertainty and Discomfort with Mindfulness 
5. Troubleshooting Common Issues and Concerns
6. BONUS Material: OCD Sub-types and Themes 

We like to keep the courses super affordable so that everyone gets a chance to learn the tools needed to manage anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions. 

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) School is usually $197 

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) School includes 18 video’s,  supplemental PDF’s and Handouts to help you apply the content to your obsessions and compulsions and a BONUS 7 videos on applying ERP to the common OCD Sub-types.   

In total, the course is almost 5 hours of the same ERP information and skills I teach my face-to-face clients. 

CBT School is committed to supporting you throughout this process.  If you have any questions, Kimberley meets bi-monthly on Facebook and Instagram for her LIVE MAGIC MONDAY Q&A hour (every second and fourth Monday at 12 pm PDT) where she answers questions and troubleshoots any concerns you may have.

Once you have purchased the course, you will have unlimited access to the videos.  

Exposure & Response Prevention (OCD) School is available for purchase just a few times per year.   The cart for ERP School will open again September 20th, 2019 so get excited!  

LINK TO COURSE: 

18 July 2019

In today’s episode of Your Anxiety Toolkit podcast, we are discussing a compassion practice that will change your life.  Today, we are talking about the Buddhist practice, Tonglen Meditation for anxiety. The ancient meditation practice of Tonglen is known as a practice of “taking and sending”.

Tonglen Meditation for anxiety is a practice that is similar to everything we talk about here on Your Anxiety Toolkit.  Tonglen Meditation for anxiety reverses our usual logic of avoiding suffering and seeking pleasure. Commonly, people with anxiety want to learn how to eliminate their own suffering and pronouns such as “I”, “Me” and “Mine” is the focus of their attention.  

The use of Tonglen is a practice of compassion for all humans, including ourselves, that allows us to visualize taking in the pain of others with every in-breath and sending out whatever will benefit them on the out-breath.  In the process of Tonglen Meditation for anxiety, we let go of patterns of selfishness and we bring love to both ourselves and others.  We create a practice where we take care of ourselves and others.

Tonglen Meditation for anxiety awakens our compassion and introduces us to a view of reality that is wider and more realistic.  Tonglen meditation for anxiety can be a formal meditation practice or can be used at any time for even brief periods of time. 

Tonglen Meditation for anxiety also allows us to send compassion to all humans and see that many other humans are just like ourselves.  This Tonglen Meditation for anxiety will bring you to see that you are not alone in your suffering.  The practice is to bring love and compassion to all living beings, as everyone is suffering in one way or another.  

Instead of beating ourselves up, we can use our personal struggles as a way to access common humanity (understanding what people are up against all over the world). As we breathe in the pain and suffering for all of us and breathe out love and compassion for all of us, we create a space where we can feel more deeply and honestly. We can use our personal suffering as the path to compassion for all beings.

Please use this Tonglen Meditation for anxiety to remove the suffering of mankind, while also sending the relief.  Breathe out while releasing out comfort and happiness. Radiate love as widely as you can, CBT School community! 

17 May 2019

How To Be Uncertain In the Management of OCD

Welcome to this week’s episode of Your Anxiety Toolkit. 

When it comes to the management of anxiety, practicing being uncertain is the key to long-term recovery. We must face our fears and purposely not try to solve what will happen and what we would do if our fear came true.   For anyone attempting this, we can all agree that being uncertain is a very difficult skill to practice.    I have found that while my clients logically are on board with the idea of being uncertain, they still struggle with HOW to be uncertain.  Cognitively, we know the importance of uncertainty, but the actual practice of it might not be something that we are fully on board for. 

Nearly every day, a client or a follower on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) will ask me HOW to be uncertain.  They might say, “Kimberley, I get that I have to lean into the uncertainty, but HOW do I actually be uncertain?”

In today’s podcast episode, we talk all about how to be uncertain and what major roadblocks might be causing you to bypass uncertainty.   We also talk about some key mindfulness tools to help with the practice of uncertainty when managing strong obsessions and compulsions.   This is a very important concept when it comes to anxiety management, so I would love to hear your thoughts.   

There are a few very exciting events coming up!

The IOCDF is hosting their 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk in Calabasas on Saturday, June 1, to increases awareness and raises funds for the IOCDF and its Local Affiliates so they can continue their mission. I will be walking at this one! Click HERE for more information and to register.

Also, the IOCDF Annual Conference will be held in Austin, Texas, from July 19-21.  I will be speaking at this event and love seeing you there!  Click HERE for more information and to buy tickets.

1 February 2019

The Science of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Welcome back to another episode of Your Anxiety Toolkit Podcast.  

Today we are talking about the science behind Exposure and Response Prevention.  I know a lot of you have a lot of questions about why we would ever put ourselves in a position to be MORE anxious and MOST uncertain.   But, there are many reasons why and today we are going to dive into The Science of Exposure and Response Prevention .

To put it simply, we instinctually we run from fear.  We go into fight, flight and freeze when we are faced with serious, dangerous events. In emergency situations, this is the most sophisticated human response.  We are so lucky we have this response, as it keeps up alive and well.  

However, in our era, we are often bombarded by THOUGHTS of serious, dangerous events and this causes our brain to make mistakes about the imminence of danger.  We experience the thought as if it were an imminent threat – right here, danger in close quarters, etc. 

The problem is that we react to this thought or sensation or urge as if it IS an imminent threat.  We run away, we fight it or we freeze.  

What happens when we do this is that we reinforce that the thought IS dangerous and, because we responded in this way, a cycle that is created.  Fear –> avoidance response –> fear….and the cycle continues. 

So, what can we do instead of fight, flight or freeze? We can stare our fear right in the face.  We do this by performing Exposure and Response Prevention.  Exposure and Response Prevention includes changing our behavior, or response, to the original thought or obsession and exposing ourselves to our feared consequence.  Now, if you hate the idea of this, you are not alone.  

 In this week’s podcast, we address the science behind Exposure & Response Prevention to help motivate and inform you of WHY ERP is so important and HOW it changes our brains.  If you need help with this, now is the time to act.  

ERP School, our online course that teaches you all the most important components of ERP for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is BACK, but act fast because it is only available until February 14^th, 2019!   

Exposure and Response Prevention School (ERP School)  is an online course that teaches you the tools and skills I teach my clients in my office.  Let me tell you a little bit about it.   

The course is a video-based course that includes modules on 

1. The science behind ERP 
2. Identifying YOUR obsessions and your compulsions 
3. The different approaches and types of ERP, including gradual exposure, writing scripts, interoceptive exposures and how to get creative with ERP 
4. Mindfulness tools to help you manage anxiety, panic, and uncertainty 
5. Troubleshoot common questions and concerns 
6. BONUS 6 videos of the most common subtypes of OCD

The course also includes many downloadable PDF’s and activities to help you navigate how to best apply ERP to your specific obsessions and compulsions.  

We are so excited to finally share ERP with you and would love to have you join us and the CBT School Community.  It’s a beautiful day to do hard things! 

If you are worried about doing it alone, please don’t fear.  We meet bi-monthly on the FB group and on IG to talk about questions you may have. 

Click HERE to sign up.   

25 January 2019

Overcoming Harm OCD with Jon Hershfield

Welcome back to another episode of Your Anxiety Toolkit Podcast.  Today we have a special guest, Jon Hershfield, LMFT.  Jon has been on the show already and is a favorite among the CBT School-ers.

Today, Jon and I talk about how to manage specific obsessions related to violence and physical harm.  In OCD terms, we call it Harm Obsessions or Harm OCD (if you meet the requirements for a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD).

In this episode, Jon answers some important questions such as: 

• Does everyone have Harm Obsessions, thoughts, impulses or images? 
• Why do these Harm Obsessions bother some people and not others? 
• What is the difference between a Harm OCD  and having thoughts about harm? 
• Are people with Harm OCD any different than those who have other types of OCD? 
• How do we treat Harm OCD? 

This was such a fun episode and I really hope it helps those with harm obsessions, thoughts, images, impulses, and urges (Harm OCD).

Fore more information on Jon’s latest book, Overcoming Harm OCD: Mindfulness and CBT Tools for Coping with Unwanted Violent Thoughts, click HERE.

For more information on Jon Hershfield, visit:

Website: Ocdbaltimore.com

Twitter: @cbtocd

IG: @ocdbaltimore

FB: @JonHershfield

GOOD NEWS!……WE HAVE A HUGE SURPRISE! 

On January 28th, 2019, we are offering our FREE webinar called “10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OCD.”  This is a FREE online video course explaining exactly what OCD is, how to treat it and what complicating factors can occur during the process.   

This free webinar will run daily at 6pm PST for one week ONLY.  If you are not able to attend the free webinar, no stress! There will be a free replay sent to your inbox the day after signing up. I cannot wait to share this FREE educational resource with you.  

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! 

ALSO, ERP School is COMING BACK!   Exposure and Response Prevention School is an online course that teaches you the tools and skills I teach my clients in my office.  Let me tell you a little bit about it.  The course is a video-based course that includes modules on: 

1. The science behind ERP 
2. Identifying YOUR obsessions and your compulsions 
3. The different approaches and types of ERP, including gradual exposure, writing scripts, interoceptive exposures and how to get creative with ERP 
4. Mindfulness tools to help you manage anxiety, panic and uncertainty 
5. Troubleshoot common questions and concerns 
6. BONUS 6 videos of the most common subtypes of OCD, including Harm OCD.

The course also includes many downloadable PDF’s and activities to help you navigate how to best apply ERP to your specific obsessions and compulsions.  

We are so excited to finally share ERP with you and would love to have you join us and the CBT School Community.  It’s a beautiful day to do hard things! 

If you are worried about doing it alone, please don’t fear.  We meet bi-monthly on the Facebook group and on Instagram to talk about questions you may have. 

Click HERE to sign up.

6 April 2018

In Case You Didn’t know, You are not Alone

Just a couple of weeks ago, I attended and was honored to present at the Southern California OCD Conference ran by socalocd.com.   It was such an incredible event and I left with my heart feeling full and mind inspired.

The thing about these conferences is that the energy of the attendees is so infectious.   At the beginning of the day, the room is filled with anticipation and hope.  These conferences are held in hope to give tools and support to those in the community with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

After listening to the keynote speakers and breaking into group sessions where attendees learn tools to manage their OCD (I spoke on Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for OCD), we meet at the end of the day for a final Q&A with the panelists.   The room was filled with togetherness.   There was a sense of community and cohesion that warmed my heart (and it lasted for days).

The next day, I posted on Instagram how honored I was to attend such a beautiful conference and I sent out the message that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  I knew a lot of people were not able to attend such a wonderful event and I wanted to spread the love and connection that I was feeling.

The response flawed me.  Direct Messages and emails came in from those who are struggling with OCD and Anxiety and Depression, reporting how alone they feel.

It got me wondering.

Do you feel ALONE in your suffering?

Do you feel like no one understands just how hard it is for you?

Do you feel like no one could possibly understand what is it like to experience such anxiety and fear and panic?

I am also wondering, Do you feel alone in your bravery?

Do you feel like no one understands or appreciates how incredibly brave you are? You get up every day and do your best to get through the day with anxiety and depression and dread.    You face your fears, not because you want to, but because you HAVE to.

Do you feel so alone that you feel angry?  Maybe you are so angry and hurt because no one else you know has to face their fears every single day, day in and day out.

Do you feel alone because everyone else seems to do the thing that you fear so easily?

If any of this describes you, this episode is for you.

You are NOT alone!

Click the below link to be added to the group.  I would LOVE to have you join us.

CBT School Campus Private Facebook Group

Link to OCD So Cal Below:

OCD SoCal is an affiliate of the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF)

16 March 2018

If you have ever experienced the discomfort of a panic attack, you will appreciate this episode.

When it comes to managing Panic, there is a lot of bad advice out there.  I often have clients come to me reporting that they have been trying to “Stop Panicking” for years, only to find that nothing was working.  They report painfully fast heart rates, tight chests, and fear that they will die.  If you have experienced this, you are definitely not alone.

In today’s podcast, I will share with you My 5 Favorite Tips for Managing Panic Attacks (or Anxiety Attacks).

As I mention in the episode, these are not the ONLY tips you need, but they are super important ones and ones I share often with my clients.  These mindfulness tools are SUPER helpful in managing your mindset and perspective on anxiety.

I hope they help you on your journey to managing anxiety, panic, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and other struggles related to fear and worry.

Forward we go,

Kimberley