Kicking off Season 15 with a conversation that hits straight at the heart of what so many people silently struggle with, Dr. Melissa Dufrene joins us to unpack the mental noise, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion that OCD and anxiety can create — and what becomes possible when someone finally gets the right support. From the battles people fight behind closed doors to the quiet courage it takes to challenge fear rather than accommodate it, this opening episode sets the tone for a season rooted in honesty, healing, and hope. In this deeply human conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Melissa — board-certified clinical psychologist and co-owner of Rise Center for OCD & Anxiety — to explore recovery, resilience, and the real work of reclaiming your life.
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 2 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind.
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Mental Health Quote
“You don’t rise by avoiding fear — you rise by walking with it.” — inspired by Dr. Melissa Dufrene
Episode Description
When the world shut down in 2020, anxiety didn’t shrink — it intensified. Clinicians were overwhelmed, families were struggling, and people with OCD suddenly found themselves trapped in a nightmare of uncertainty and isolation. In this powerful Season 15 opener, Dr. Melissa Dufrene joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to pull back the curtain on what OCD and anxiety actually feel like from the inside — and why healing is absolutely possible with the right tools.
Melissa shares how she and her business partner launched Rise Center for OCD & Anxiety during the pandemic, driven by the urgent need for specialized care. She explains why accommodating anxiety might feel comforting in the moment but can create long-term hardship — especially for kids who slowly retreat into smaller, safer worlds without realizing what they’re losing.
Together, they explore the emotional exhaustion that comes with living in a noisy, fear-driven mind, the power of being truly heard, and why sometimes the most healing phrase in the world is, “Yeah… that sucks.” G-Rex shares her experience helping a stranger through a grounding exercise in a crowded conference hall. At the same time, Melissa offers practical, research-backed strategies rooted in exposure therapy, values-based action, and learning to let fear exist without feeding it.
This episode is heartfelt, hopeful, and packed with real-talk reminders that anxiety isn’t weakness — it’s a signal. And when people get the right support, they rise higher than they ever imagined.
Keywords: OCD recovery, anxiety tools, exposure therapy, intrusive thoughts help, cognitive behavioral therapy, ERP therapy, mental health support, emotional resilience, anxiety recovery tips, social anxiety, mental wellness, OCD specialist, pandemic mental health, fear response, coping skills, Rise Center for OCD & Anxiety
Meet Our Guest — Dr. Melissa Dufrene
Dr. Melissa Dufrene, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist and the co-owner of Rise Center for OCD & Anxiety, where she specializes in evidence-based treatment for OCD, anxiety disorders, and related conditions. Trained at Rogers Memorial Hospital, one of the nation’s top OCD programs, Melissa blends clinical expertise with compassion, clarity, cultural humility, and humor.
She is devoted to increasing access to high-quality OCD and anxiety treatment, training clinicians, and empowering clients to stop avoiding life and step toward the things they value most.
When she’s not working with clients, Melissa can be found chasing after her two boys, enjoying New Orleans food and festivals, diving into music with her husband, or daydreaming about her next scuba trip.
Connect with Melissa:
Website: https://riseocdandanxiety.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseocdandanxiety
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riseocdandanxiety
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riseocdandanxiety/
Key Takeaways
- Anxiety doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means you’ve been carrying too much alone.
- Accommodating anxiety feels good short-term, but becomes restrictive long-term.
- OCD recovery requires willingness, courage, and letting discomfort exist without feeding it.
- Safe, honest relationships create the foundation for healing.
- The right therapist doesn’t “fix” you; they help you rise.
- Kids and adults alike need exposure to life, not retreat from it.
Actionable Items
- Choose one value and take a single small action aligned with it today — even if your anxiety pushes back.
- Use a one-time-per-day news summary to reduce doom-scrolling and fear spirals, a strategy inspired by Melissa’s client.
- When supporting someone, ask: “How can I show up for you — listening, or problem-solving?”
References Mentioned
Important Chapters
- 00:00 – Season 15 kickoff and New Orleans conversation
- 00:09:00 – COVID, anxiety overload, and why kids struggled most
- 00:13:00 – Navigating conferences and events with anxiety and OCD
- 00:19:00 – Safe spaces, honesty, and community support
- 00:26:00 – How to actually find the right therapist
- 00:35:00 – Anxiety theme songs and G-Rex’s subway moment
- 00:47:00 – Why “Rise” is Melissa’s favorite word
Closing CTA
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