Anxious & Capable | Real Talk on Anxiety, OCD and Mental Health
Anxious & Capable is a mental health podcast for anxious people and overthinkers dealing with anxiety, OCD, and struggles with self-trust. Hosted by therapist Jess Eden, each weekly episode offers practical tips to help listeners stop spiraling, feel safe again, and live without being controlled by anxiety and OCD. The show reminds you that you can have an anxious brain and still do hard things. It emphasizes that anxiety and OCD do not get the final say—you do.
Episodes
What you need to know about OCD therapy (as a client + counsellor & therapist) + life as an OCD therapist.
This weeks episode of the Anxious and Capable Podcast, two OCD therapists, Jess & Charlotte (@the_floral_therapist) discuss all things OCD, how therapy and treatment work, what you need to know about OCD (as both a client and a therapist). And we're super excited to share with you our CPD for therapists who want to build their confidence working with OCD. 🧠 OCD in Your Therapy Room: Esse
Why you need to STOP avoiding everything! Anxiety, OCD & Avoidance vs Protecting Your Peace.
How many times have you been told to avoid things that trigger your anxiety or OCD?Maybe you start to feeling anxious, so you cancel your plans. Or you avoid opening messages. Maybe you skip that event, and all of this brings you immediate relief. You got to avoid the anxiety. That's a good thing right?!This is advice that I see everywhere, But what if I actually told you this habit of avoida
The 6 Things I'm Doing For My Mental Health in 2026 (from a therapist)
In this episode, I'm reflecting on and sharing the 6 things that have helped my mental health and wellbeing in 2025, that I will continue doing in 2026. These are the habits & life style self care practises that have genuinely improved my mental health and confidence. Living with anxiety and OCD can leave you overthinking, with low self-confidence and struggling to trust yourself.These 6
When Texting Triggers Anxiety, Rejection, and Self-Doubt with Ellie Belfield
When texting triggers anxiety, rejection, and self-doubt, it can feel exhausting and confusing, especially when everyone else seems to say “it’s just a text.”In this episode, we talk about text anxiety and why messaging can feel so overwhelming for anxious, highly sensitive, neurodivergent, and people-pleasing brains. We explore why unanswered messages, short replies, and changes in tone can trigg
Anxiety in Dating & Relationships: Why You’re Not ‘Clingy’ or 'Too Much' - It's Your Anxious Attachment Style.
If you’ve ever been called “clingy,” “too much,” or feel like you need constant reassurance from your partner, this episode is for you.We’re talking about what’s really going on underneath that anxiety in your relationships, the constant need for reassurance and the times you feel your partner pulling away. Because it’s not that you’re too much or that you only attract emotionally unavailable peop
Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway with Anxiety & OCD: Why Forcing It Doesn’t Work (and What Does)
If you find this episode helpful, I’d love if you could rate and review the podcast. It really helps me reach more people who are struggling with anxiety and OCD and need this kind of support.You’ve probably heard the phrase “feel the fear and do it anyway.” It sounds motivating, but if you live with anxiety or OCD, it can feel impossible. In this episode of Anxiously Capable, I’m breaking down wh
How to Stop Sleep Anxiety (and Calm Your Mind at Night) | Insomnia and Sleep Anxiety with Therapist Amy (@therapywithamy_)
It starts with one bad night’s sleep (or a few), then suddenly you’re lying awake every night, dreading bedtime, checking the clock at 3 a.m, and panicking about how you’ll get through tomorrow on 2 hours of sleep. The harder you try to force yourself to sleep, the more impossible it feels.If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. I’m joined by therapist Amy Townsend, a sleep anxiety speci
When Anxiety Targets Your Relationship: Understanding Relationship OCD / ROCD | Subtype Deep Dive
Ever find yourself stuck in endless “what if” thoughts about your partner? “Do I really love them? Are we meant to be together? What if I’m making a huge mistake?" Or find yourself comparing your partner or your relationship to others even though you know that you're happy in your relationship. In this episode of Anxiously Capable, we’re diving deep into Relationship OCD (ROCD) a subtype
When Social Anxiety Makes You Feel Like You Don’t Belong (+ with Therapist Sophia Spencer)
Social Anxiety, Bullying, and the Fear of Judgment. That's what we're covering in todays episode of the Anxiously Capable Podcast. I am joined by the lovely Sophia Spencer (@Socially_fearless), a psychotherapist and coach who specializes in working with social anxiety, inferiority, belonging and confidence. In this episode we break down:✔️ Why early experiences of bullying, humiliation
Is ChatGPT Making Your OCD & Anxiety Worse? (+When Ai Becomes Compulsive)
Is ChatGPT making your OCD and anxiety worse? This is the big question that we are going to be covering in today's episode of the Anxiously Capable Podcast. If you have OCD, you might find yourself turning to chat GPT to get reassurance or to check if a thought is 'normal' or to even ask it questions like; Did I do something horrible in this situation? At first it might seem that t
What is High-Functioning Anxiety & Do I Have It? + Burnout and the Emotional Cost of 'Looking Fine'.
Anxiety isn't always visible and it doesn't always show up in the ways that we think - and if you struggle with high functioning anxiety, you might be able to get through every single day, looking like you've got it all together, but deep down you feel like you're falling apart. You feel burnt out, exhausted, and like you are barely holding on.If this sounds like you, then kee
What If I’m a Bad Person? OCD, Anxiety & Breaking the Thought Spiral
If you’ve ever found yourself obsessively replaying conversations, overanalysing your actions, or spiralling into “What if I’m a bad person?” thoughts — this episode is for you.As a therapist, I see this struggle often in people with anxiety and OCD. In this episode, I break down: ✔️ Why OCD and anxiety make you doubt your own character ✔️ Thought-action fusion & the fear of ‘being bad’ ✔️ Why
What I Wish I Knew When My Anxiety Was At It’s WORST
What actually helps when anxiety feels unbearable? In this episode, I’m sharing the honest truths and reminders I wish someone had told me when my anxiety was at its worst. These are the lessons I learned the hard way—like how you’re not broken (just overwhelmed), why avoidance makes anxiety worse, and how learning to rest changed everything.Whether you're in a spiral, feeling lost, or just n
For When You Feel Like You Can’t Cope (But You Actually Can)
Ever feel like everyone else is coping better than you? Like you’re the only one struggling, falling apart, or secretly wondering, “Why can’t I handle life like other people?” In this short, calming episode, therapist Jess Eden shares why anxiety tricks you into believing you’re incapable, and why your brain is probably forgetting all the evidence that you’ve handled more than you realise.You’ll h
Why You Can’t Stop Doom-scrolling: What It’s Really Telling You About Anxiety
Do you find yourself scrolling social media endlessly? Maybe you're not even fully aware its happening - until 1 hour late you're left feeling frustrated and annoyed at yourself for wasting your life. Maybe you've tried setting screentime limits but you still find yourself on an Instagram or TikTok deep dive. You’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode, t
For When You Feel Pressure to Be Better (The Toxic Side of Self-Improvement)
Do you ever feel like you have to constantly be working on yourself just to be “enough”? In this mini episode, therapist Jess Eden explores the constant pressure to do more, be more and always be improving yourself. You’ll hear a gentle reframe on the pressure to grow, why self-help can sometimes become self-harm in disguise, and why you’re allowed to stop striving and just be.Whether you’re in a
3 Things That Actually Help With Anxiety and OCD (From a Therapist)
Feeling overwhelmed by all the anxiety and OCD advice out there? You’re not alone. In this honest episode, therapist Jess Eden shares 3 things that genuinely support long-term recovery — without adding to the noise.You’ll learn: ✔️ Why separating from intrusive thoughts is a powerful step toward recovery ✔️ How reassurance-seeking fuels the anxiety cycle (and how to stop) ✔️ Why reconnecting with
For When You’re Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else (And Feeling Behind)
When you’re stuck in comparison, it’s easy to feel like everyone else is doing better than you, especially on social media. In this short, calming episode, therapist Jess Eden shares a gentle reminder that what you’re seeing is never the full story of someone else's life. If you’ve been spiralling, overthinking, or feeling behind in life, this episode is your pause.We’ll explore: ✔️ Why compa
How to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud: Imposter Syndrome, Self-Worth & Healing with Harriet Curry
Imposter syndrome, anxiety, and self-doubt — if you’ve ever felt like a fraud, like you don’t deserve your success, or like you’re waiting to be “found out,” this episode is for you. Jess is joined by therapist Harriet Curry for a real and validating conversation about how imposter syndrome shows up, why it’s so convincing, and how to start building your self-worth and self-belief. We talk about:
When you feel guilty for resting (+letting go of guilt & productivity pressure)
Feeling guilty for resting is one of the most common struggles when you live with anxiety, OCD, or low self-worth. In this short, soothing episode, therapist Jess Eden shares a gentle reframe on why you don’t need to earn your rest — and how to let go of the internal pressure to always be doing more.You’ll hear validation for emotional exhaustion, support for slowing down, and a calm reminder that
The Truth About OCD Recovery (From An Anxiety & OCD Therapist)
What does OCD recovery actually look like? In this episode, I’m sharing the honest truths that often get left out of OCD recovery conversations. We’ll talk about taking an active role in therapy, why it doesn’t always feel good, the pressure to recover fast, and how to stop waiting to feel “ready.” If you're navigating intrusive thoughts or mental compulsions, this is your reminder that you&a
Why Anxiety Makes You Question Everything (And What to Do Instead) | Self Doubt, Rumination & Anxious Thoughts
Anxiety doesn’t just make you feel uncomfortable — it makes you question everything. In this short, calming episode, we explore the exhausting cycle of overthinking, mental checking, and self-doubt that anxiety creates — and why trying to answer every single anxious question only keeps you stuck.PS. Get the Break Free From Rumination Guide here. You’ll hear: ✔️ Why anxiety feels like it demands an
Making Friends as an Anxious Girlie: Coping With Rejection, Awkwardness, Loneliness & Overthinking
Making friends as an adult is hard enough — and when you add anxiety into the mix? It can feel near impossible. In this honest episode, we unpack the reality of trying to connect with others when you're dealing with overthinking, self-doubt, fear of rejection, and the awkwardness of putting yourself out there.Whether you’re feeling lonely, struggling to meet like-minded people, or wondering i
For When Mental Compulsions (Rumination, Checking, Reviewing Memories) Are Exhausting (And You Just Need Relief)
Mental compulsions are invisible, but the exhaustion they cause is very real. In this short and supportive episode, I’m speaking to the moments when your brain won’t switch off — when the looping, scanning, checking, ruminating and mental rehearsals feel like they’ve taken over.You’ll hear: ✔️ Why mental compulsions are so exhausting ✔️ How OCD links certainty with safety ✔️ A gentle reframe to he
How to Stop Health Anxiety Spirals (And Trust Your Body Again)
When health anxiety takes over, it feels impossible to trust your body — or your thoughts. In this episode, we’re talking about why health anxiety spirals happen, how it tricks you into worst-case thinking, and gentle ways to start breaking the cycle. Whether you’re stuck in Googling symptoms, checking your body, or feeling constant worry about your health — you’re not alone, and you’re not broken
For When Intrusive Thoughts Feel So Real (And What to Do About It)
Do your intrusive thoughts ever feel too real? This short, calming episode is here for the moments when anxiety and OCD make your thoughts feel overwhelming, scary, and deeply personal — even though they’re not. I’ll gently walk you through why intrusive thoughts latch onto the things you care about most, why they don’t mean anything about who you are, and how OCD tricks you into believing they do
You are NOT a Self Improvement Project: Letting Go of the Pressure to Always Be Healing
Feeling like you’re never doing enough in your life & healing journey? Always seeing content on 'how to change your life' and feeling like you're doing life wrong. Like you’re somehow behind or failing if you're still struggling with anxiety, overthinking, self worth, attachment wounds or OCD — especially when social media makes it look like everyone else has it all figured
For When You Feel Anxious and 'Behind in Life'
Listen to this episode when you feel anxious about being 'behind in life'. Whether you're in your 20's, 30's or 40's, comparison can leave you feeling behind and like you're not 'keeping up' with others. Did you enjoy this short episode? Listen to the full episode - Episode 8 - Feeling behind in life. 🔔 Follow the podcast for weekly episodes on anxiety,
Why Anxiety Makes the Past Feel Like It’s Happening Now
Why does the past feel like it’s still happening—especially when you’re anxious? In this episode, we’re talking about that all-too-familiar feeling of being emotionally pulled back into a past situation, even when you know you're safe. Whether it’s a memory, a mistake, or something that still carries emotional weight—anxiety can make it feel like you’re right back there.We’ll explore: ✔️ Why
For When Everything Feels Overwhelming
What actually helps when your brain won’t slow down and everything feels like too much? In this short, calming episode, I’m here to support you through the overwhelm—whether it's from anxiety, stress, burnout, constant overthinking, or just life feeling heavier than usual - and bring you back to the present moment.In this episode you'll find: ✔️ Gentle reminders for when your brain feels
11. The Lifestyle Changes and Habits I Have Made for My Mental Health & Wellbeing.
What actually helps when you’re managing anxiety, burnout, or low mood? In this episode, I’m sharing the recent lifestyle changes I’ve made as a therapist to support my mental health—the helpful ones, not the Instagram-perfect ones.We’ll talk about: ✔️ The importance of taking up hobbies that challenge our comfort zone. ✔️ Work-life balance ✔️ Social self careWhether you're feeling overwhelme
10. Overcoming Self-Doubt & Trusting Yourself Again
Feeling stuck in self-doubt? Do you constantly second-guess yourself or feel like a failure? You’re not alone.In this episode, I break down:✔️ Why we experience self-doubt & where it comes from✔️ How failure impacts our confidence & decision-making✔️ Steps to rebuild self-trust & quiet negative self-talkAs a UK-based therapist, I’ll share practical, gentle strategies to help you overco
9. Anxious about your Future? How to Deal with Uncertainty & the Fear of Regret (in relationships, finances, career, health and purpose)
Are you constantly worrying about the future? Do thoughts about your career, finances, or health keep you up at night? Future anxiety is something many of us struggle with, and it can feel overwhelming.In this episode, I explore why we fear the future, how regret shapes our decisions, and practical ways to manage future anxiety. As a UK-based therapist, I’ll break down the psychology behind uncert
8. Feeling Behind in Life? Listen to this... (a reassuring message from a therapist)
Feeling behind in life? You’re not alone.In this short and gentle episode, I’m sharing a calming reminder for those days when comparison, self-doubt, and anxiety start creeping in. Whether you're stressing about your career, relationships, or just feel like everyone else is moving faster than you—this is your moment to pause, breathe, and come back to yourself.We'll talk about why anxiet
Ep.7 Lets talk about Overthinking... (Why we do it & how to break the cycle)
Lets talk about overthinking, rumination, and why you can't stop thinking 'what if'. Click here & begin breaking free from OCD TODAY-- About the Podcast--The anxiously Capable Podcast is hosted by me, Jess Eden, a UK therapist who knows what it’s like to live with anxiety and OCD.You are much more capable than you realise, and this podcast is here to remind you that anxiety an
6. Is It Anxiety or OCD? Signs I Missed That Were Actually OCD
What if it's not just anxiety? What if your overthinking, ruminating, need for reassurance and 'to check' are actually signs of OCD?In this episode, I am sharing the OCD signs and behaviours that I believed were 'just anxiety' for years. If this episode resonates for you - The OCD Action Planwill help you:- Recognise & reduce anxiety, fear and doubt. - Reduce compulsiv
5. Anxiety and Feeling “Not Good Enough” — How to Let Go of the Pressure
In this episode, we're going to be talking all about 'not feeling good enough', limiting beliefs, anxiety and how to let go & increase your self worth.-- About the Podcast--The anxiously Capable Podcast is hosted by me, Jess Eden, a UK therapist who knows what it’s like to live with anxiety and OCD.You are much more capable than you realise, and this podcast is here to remind yo
4. Q&A - Relationship OCD, Does ERP work and how to manage Intrusive Thoughts | Anxiously Capable
Q & A - All about OCD. In this episode I'm answering your questions on relationship OCD/ Anxiety, exposure and response prevention therapy (and whether it actually works) and how to manage intrusive thoughts. -- About the Podcast--The anxiously Capable Podcast is hosted by me, Jess Eden, a UK therapist who knows what it’s like to live with anxiety and OCD.You are much more capable than yo
3. How to Ease Anxiety Fast — 3 Tools That Actually Work
On this weeks episode of the Anxiously Capable Podcast, I’m taking about the 3 ways you can ACTUALLY ease anxiety. Listen to this podcast to learn how you can get long term anxiety relief and how you can manage anxious moments in the future.-- About the Podcast--The anxiously Capable Podcast is hosted by me, Jess Eden, a UK therapist who knows what it’s like to live with anxiety and OCD.You are mu
2. Things That Secretly Make Anxiety Worse — And What to Do Instead
Let’s talk about the 3 things that are making your anxiety (and OCD) worse & how to FINALLY break the cycle of anxiety.If you’ve ever thought ‘I’m trying so hard to heal from anxiety’ or ‘I’m trying so hard to overcome OCD’ but it feels like you’re still going round in circles. This episodes for you.On this weeks episode of the Anxiously Capable Podcast, I’m taking about the three common mista
1. Habits That Actually Help Anxiety and OCD (From a Therapist)
Welcome to the first episode of Anxiously Capable! In todays episode, I'm going to share some of the daily habits that I do to manage anxiety and OCD (as a therapist).Since my big anxiety flare up in 2018, these habits have helped me live a life that isn't controlled by anxiety and OCD. You are much more capable than you realise, and this podcast is here to remind you that anxiety and OC
Welcome to Anxiously Capable - The podcast all about Anxiety, OCD & Intrusive thoughts
Hi there, and welcome to Anxiously Capable! I’m Jess Eden, a UK based therapist passionate about helping you thrive—not just survive—while living with anxiety, OCD, and intrusive thoughts.You are much more capable than you realise, and this podcast is here to remind you that anxiety and OCD doesn’t have to hold you back, and it certainly doesn’t define you.Follow for new episodes released every Mo
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