96. Reality Sensing in Therapy with Amanda Petrik-Gardner

In the realm of mental health treatment, the evolution of therapeutic approaches is an ongoing journey marked by innovation and discovery. One such breakthrough that has been gaining prominence in recent years is Inference-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT). This cutting-edge approach offers a fresh perspective on how we understand and address our obsessional reasoning process.

In today’s episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, we are joined by Amanda Petrik-Gardner, a true expert in the treatment of OCD and related disorders.

One of the key points we discuss is the difference between obsessional doubt and reasonable doubt. Amanda really emphasizes the importance of recognizing whether our doubts are based on direct evidence or our imagination running wild. It's all about distinguishing between what's real and what's not.

We also touch on the concept of inferential confusion. This is when we arrive at conclusions based on a reasoning process that is based on imagined scenarios, making it difficult to trust our own senses and perceptions. But fear not, because Amanda introduces us to the concept of reality sensing. It's all about regaining that trust in ourselves and our own experiences.

In This Episode

• [01:19] Obsessional doubt versus reasonable doubt
• [07:57] Inferential confusion and its resolution
• [09:12] The role of senses in OCD
• [11:23] Using reality sensing in therapy
• [13:19] Comparison of inference-based CBT with exposure therapy
• [18:57] The role of imagination in OCD
• [18:45] Resources for learning about CBT
• [20:03] Accessing the online class "Be OCD Free”.

Notable Quotes

• [05:27] “We don't tend to act on possibilities until something in the present moment tells us to do so. Once we get that information now, it's reasonable to act on it.” Amanda
• [07:41] “Inferential confusion is a fancy word just to say we are confusing reality for imagination. We're distrusting our senses. We're over-relying on possibilities. We're taking things like facts and using them in and out of context.” - Amanda
• [13:43] “If we can change the doubt, then everything that follows after the doubt is resolved. But what I mean by that is after the doubt comes the fear, the anxiety, and then the compulsion. If we can address the doubt from the beginning, then none of the rest even happens.” - Amanda

Our Guest

Amanda Petrik-Gardner

Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC, LPC, LIMHP, is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor spanning Kansas and Maine, and Licensed Professional Counselor across Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, and Missouri. She's also the creator of the OCD Exposure Coloring Book. With expertise in OCD, anxiety, and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Amanda offers teletherapy in several states including Florida, facilitating transformative counseling.

Resources & Links

Kristina Orlova, LMFT

• https://www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
• https://www.youtube.com/c/OCDWhispererChannel
• https://www.korresults.com/
• https://www.onlineocdacademy.com

Amanda Petrik-Gardner

• https://www.amandalcpc.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/AnxietyOCDTreatment
• https://www.instagram.com/anxietyocdtreatment
• https://twitter.com/AnxietyOCDTx

**Disclaimer**

Please note, while our 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.

Stay tuned for bi-weekly episodes filled with valuable insights and tips for managing OCD and anxiety. And remember, keep going in the meantime. See you in the next episode!