#40: Exploring OCD, Autism and ADHD with Dr Emma Offord

Hello Therapy: Mental Health Tips For Personal Growth

Can individuals with OCD be considered neurodivergent? Dr. Emma Offord, a clinical psychologist and specialist in neurodivergence and OCD, joins me to address this complex question.
Our discussion focuses on the complex relationship between OCD, autism, and ADHD, and how they can be experienced by people. Tune in to uncover insights on how neurobiological factors and sensory sensitivities might influence OCD-like experiences, and what these nuances mean for treatment and support.
Episode Highlights
01:05 OCD and Neurodivergence: A Deep Dive
08:49 OCD and Autism: Clinical Observations
20:45 Exploring ADHD and OCD Co-occurrence
21:21 Sensory Seeking Behaviors in ADHD and Autism
24:26 ADHD Compensatory Strategies and OCD-like Behaviors
27:49 Challenges in Treating Neurodivergent Individuals
30:43 Therapeutic Approaches for Neurodivergent People
36:12 Concluding Thoughts on Neurodivergence and Therapy
This week's guest
Dr Emma Offord is a Clinical Psychologist specialising in neurodivergence. She is the founder of Divergent Life, a neuroaffirming assessment, therapy and coaching private practice service. Emma also specialises in trauma, OCD, giftedness and sensory differences. She is passionate about the neurodiversity movement, developing more empowered ways to think about neurodivergence and providing creative and somatic forms of therapy for the neurodivergent community.
Emma provides a number of different services, including therapy, autism, ADHD and OCD assessments, consultation, training and supervision. Emma assesses adults for neurodivergence through a neurodiversity affirming and trauma informed lens. She created Divergent Life to support individuals in understanding their neurobiology in order for them to begin to design their life in ways that help them to thrive. All assessments are available online or in-person.

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DISCLAIMER - The Hello Therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Liz White (DClinPsy, CPsychol, AFBPsS, CSci, HCPC reg.), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute personalised advice. Please reach out to your GP or a mental health professional if you need support.

Kapitler

1. #40: Exploring OCD, Autism and ADHD with Dr Emma Offord (00:00:00)

2. OCD and Neurodivergence: A Deep Dive (00:01:05)

3. Understanding Sensory Sensitivities (00:06:32)

4. OCD and Autism: Clinical Observations (00:08:49)

5. Rituals and Repetitive Behaviours (00:13:55)

6. Exploring ADHD and OCD Co-occurrence (00:21:21)

7. Sensory Seeking Behaviours in ADHD and Autism (00:21:57)

8. The Complexity of Neurodivergent Experiences (00:23:25)

9. ADHD Compensatory Strategies and OCD-like Behaviours (00:25:02)

10. Challenges in Treating Neurodivergent Individuals (00:28:25)

11. Therapeutic Approaches for Neurodivergent Clients (00:31:19)

12. Concluding Thoughts on Neurodivergence and Therapy (00:36:48)