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What Is an Intrusive Thought? Understanding This Common but Distressing Symptom of OCD
“What is an intrusive thought? Learn how these unwanted thoughts relate to OCD and how an OCD therapist in Washington State can help you find relief through online therapy.”

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Jul 23, 20254 min read


Health Anxiety Feels Real—Here’s Why (and How to Heal)
Health anxiety involves more than worry—it brings real fear, physical symptoms, and constant “what if” thoughts. It’s not just in your head. In this post, we explore why health anxiety feels so real and how evidence-based treatments like ACT and ERP therapy can help you break the cycle and start to heal.

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Jun 3, 20254 min read


What Is “Pure O” OCD? Understanding This Misunderstood Type of OCD
You may have heard of “Pure O” OCD—the kind where the compulsions are harder to see. But just because they’re not visible doesn’t mean they’re not real. In this post, we’ll unpack what “Pure O” really is, why the name can be misleading, and how mental compulsions play a key role. If you've ever felt stuck in your thoughts and wondered whether it could be OCD, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it.

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
May 27, 20253 min read


Why Working with an Anxiety and OCD Specialist Can Make All the Difference
If you’re struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or Anxiety, working with an OCD specialist can make a significant difference in your treatment outcomes. Unlike general talk therapy, an OCD specialist uses evidence-based approaches tailored specifically for OCD and related anxiety disorders. This targeted expertise leads to faster progress, greater symptom relief, and long-term recovery. Choosing an OCD specialist ensures you’re receiving the most effective care availa

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
May 22, 20253 min read


Navigating Postpartum OCD: Essential Strategies for New Moms to Overcome Intrusive Thoughts
Perinatal and Postpartum OCD is a type of anxiety that can occur during pregnancy or after birth. It often includes intrusive, distressing thoughts—usually about harm coming to the baby—and repetitive behaviors like checking, avoiding, or seeking reassurance. These thoughts can feel overwhelming, but they are not a reflection of who you are. Many caring, attentive parents experience them. This blog post offers an overview of what Perinatal OCD is, how to recognize it, and how

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
May 15, 20255 min read


The Emotional Rollercoaster of Trying to Conceive: You're Not Alone
Trying to conceive can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Month after month, hope rises, only to be followed by disappointment. You're living your life week to week and counting down the days post ovulation starting from day one. Trying to conceive was exciting...at first.
If you're experiencing this whirlwind of emotions, know that you are not alone. In this post, we will explore effective ways to navigate the overwhelm of trying to conceive.

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
May 9, 20254 min read


Understanding the Differences Between Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD for New Mothers
The journey into motherhood isn't always an easy one. While it is often filled with incredible joy and new memories, it can also bring...

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Apr 24, 20255 min read


Understanding and Managing Common Obsessive Thoughts in OCD
When I say, "obsession," what comes to mind? Probably things you like! "I'm obsessed with the show Only Murderers in the Building."...

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Feb 22, 20243 min read


What is an Intrusive Thought and how do they relate to OCD?
You're going about your day and then bam, out of nowhere, a startling, scary, unwanted thought pops into your brain. "What if you're...

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Sep 16, 20233 min read


What is Self-Care and Why You've Probably Been Doing It Wrong
If you Google the term "self-care," you'd find a definition like the following, "Self-care has been defined as the process of...

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Apr 17, 20233 min read


Online Counseling for Women: What to Expect in Women's Counseling
There are countless reasons women pursue therapy. To simply name a few, women may choose counseling in order to: reduce anxiety levels at...

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Feb 27, 20233 min read


Do I have OCD? Symptoms of OCD
For how frequently the term "OCD" gets thrown around in popular culture, the amount of confusion around this disorder is massive. It's...

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Jan 24, 20234 min read


How to know if you have anxiety: Common symptoms of anxiety
Have you ever wondered if maybe your stress could be more than just stress? Maybe you've been feeling miserable for a while now, but you...

Lauren Spencer, MS, LMFT
Jan 18, 20233 min read
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