OCD, Humor and Healing with Andrew McGinn

In this episode of The Clinical Moment, Amy Davis and Casey Baker are joined by LSI clinician Andrew McGinn for an honest and meaningful conversation about Mental Health Awareness Month, OCD, stigma, and the role of humor in healing.

Andrew shares both his clinical expertise and lived experience with OCD, offering insight into what OCD really is, how it is often misunderstood, and why receiving an accurate diagnosis can feel validating and empowering. The conversation explores common OCD misconceptions, treatment approaches such as ERP, I-CBT, ACT, and existential therapy, and the importance of helping clients build meaning, hope, and self-distance from intrusive thoughts.

With authenticity, humor, and compassion, Andrew reminds listeners that mental health challenges are not a life sentence, they are challenges that can be understood, supported, and met.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Mental Health Awareness Month and reducing stigma
• What OCD is and what it is not
• Common OCD subtypes and misconceptions
• The role of intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and reassurance seeking
• How humor can reduce shame and create connection
• Existential therapy, meaning-making, and living “in spite of” mental health challenges
• Why lived experience can deepen therapeutic connection
• The importance of seeking support and knowing you are not alone

Guest:

Andrew McGinn, LSI Clinician