112. How to Support BIPOC Clinicians and Individuals Living with OCD with Bianca Simmons & Erin Nghe

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April 16, 2024 • 27 mins

Have you ever considered the profound impact of justice-oriented treatment in the context of OCD, particularly when it intersects with sensitive issues like race-based OCD? How do we create an environment where individuals, especially those from BIPOC communities, feel safe to openly discuss their fears and intrusive thoughts without the burden of judgment or dismissiveness?

In today’s episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, we are delighted to welcome Bianca Simmons and Erin Nghe from ERP Kaleidoscope to discuss justice-oriented OCD treatment. They explore how to support BIPOC clinicians and individuals with OCD, emphasizing the need for a safe, empowering environment. The co-founders share insights on incorporating justice into ERP therapy and tackling race-based OCD. They advocate for diversity, clinician empowerment, and education on sensitive OCD themes, providing practical advice for therapists to effectively address these issues in their practice.

In This Episode

[00:03]Introduction to Bianca Simmons and Erin Nghe
[02:39] Explanation of the name ERP Kaleidoscope
[05:28] The concept of justice-oriented OCD treatment
[07:57]Strategies to support BIPOC clinicians
[10:17] Concrete example of justice-oriented ERP
[11:47] Client's race-based OCD
[13:56] Empowerment and advocacy for clinicians
[15:46] Tangible exposures for clients
[18:00] The importance of understanding core fears
[19:41] Intersectionality in OCD treatment
[23:04] Educating clinicians on cultural awareness
[24:08] Impact on access and quality of care
[25:58] Contact information for further support

Notable Quotes

[03:04] “ERP kaleidoscope is all about uplifting the voices of BIPOC clinicians who specialize in OCD as well as the individuals.”- Bianca
[04:25] “Oftentimes when people think about OCD, they think about the suffering, and it's really hard to see the beauty. And so we really wanted to highlight how ERP brings out that beauty.”- Erin
[06:58] “BIPOC clinicians have to be able to feel safe because that's the only way that they can not only do good work with BIPOC individuals living with OCD but all individuals that have OCD.” -Erin
[17:12] “Some clinicians of color have no idea that there is this theme that also latches on to race and so that can be very blindsiding.”- Erin
[20:42] “What we're trying to do at ERP kaleidoscope as well, building those safe spaces in terms of healing circles, and just allowing that time for clinicians to be able to heal.”- Bianca

Our Guests

Bianca Simmons, an OCD specialist, co-founded ERP Kaleidoscope and owns Bianca Simmons LLC, a mental health private practice in Texas. With extensive experience in severe OCD treatment, she transitioned from managing a residential facility to providing outpatient therapy. Committed to accessibility, she focuses on supporting individuals from underrepresented communities and minority populations, ensuring they have access to the quality mental health assistance they need and deserve.

Erin Nghe is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and co-founder of ERP Kaleidoscope, a network association supporting Bipoc individuals with OCD and therapists interested in OCD treatment. With 15+ years of experience, she's also the owner and Clinical Director of OCD Set Free, training therapists along the East Coast in Ethical OCD Treatment. Erin advocates for OCD awareness, serving on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Council of the International OCD Foundation and as a faculty member for their Behavioral Therapy Training Institute.

Resources & Links

Kristina Orlova, LMFT

Bianca Simmons