OCD in Children and Teens: Joy Ryan, LPC, RPT

While we may be aware that obsessive-compulsive disorder can have
debilitating consequences for the adults who suffer from it, OCD
in children and teens presents a unique set of challenges.
Today’s guest is Joy Ryan, Licensed Professional Counselor and
Registered Play Therapist who specializes in Pediatric OCD. She
often treats children and teens who suffer from OCD at her
practice Connect Psychology Services. In this episode, she sheds
light on exactly what OCD is, how to differentiate it from
anxiety, and what the obsessions and compulsions are that define
it. She also goes through the five most common forms of OCD and
provides tips on how to identify it, particularly in children, as
well as the steps that she takes to help a child learn to cope
with OCD, from measuring it on the Yale-Brown OCD scale to
compiling a fear hierarchy and creating exposures. She emphasizes
the importance of involving parents in the process and provides
some helpful resources for anyone wanting to find out more
information. As always, the episode ends with a story of hope, as
Joy shares her experience with one family who would not have
survived the pandemic without her help, so make sure to tune in
today!





Key Points From This Episode:


An introduction to today’s guest, Joy Ryan.

Joy’s background in psychological services and her own
practice. 

How she identified a need and went on to specialize in
Pediatric OCD.

What the true diagnosable OCD is and how to define obsessions
and compulsions.

Sherry shares her own experience with OCD. 

Using the word “obsessed” in the wrong contexts and how that
can diminish what those with OCD experience.  

Common types of OCD: Contamination OCD, Harm OCD, Just Right
OCD, OCD related to sex, and Scrupulosity OCD.

How to identify OCD in children. 

How a child with OCD might have rituals that are
unintentionally reinforced by their family.

The different approaches to diagnosing OCD and
differentiating it from anxiety, including the Yale-Brown OCD
scale. 

Some common questions Joy gets from parents of children with
OCD.

Questions around whether or not kids are afraid of giving up
their rituals like adults often are.

What parents tell the kids about why they’re seeing a
counselor and the importance of involving the whole family.

How Joy goes about treating a child with OCD, including
involving the parents throughout. 

How treating a child with anxiety is different from treating
a child with OCD. 

What drew Joy to work with children and adults who are facing
OCD. 

Helpful resources for anyone wanting to pursue help or find
out more information.

A story of hope about a family who would not have survived
the pandemic without Joy’s help. 






Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:


Joy Ryan on LinkedIn 


Connect Psychology Services 


Dr. Aureen Pinto Wagner on LinkedIn


The International OCD Foundation


The Peace of Mind Foundation


Mosaics of Mercy