How do you open up to your therapist about very taboo OCD themes. I currently struggle with "Race OCD", always worrying if I'm coming across as racist to BIPOC. Racism is something that I find horrendous and awful. I consider myself to be an ally to BIPOC & to work and fight racism. So the fact that I'm worrying over interactions with people is complete opposite to my values. I act awkward around people, and I'm sure my anxiety is coming off as strange to people. I just don't know how to open up to my therapist about this without sounding like a piece of s***.

If your therapist is an OCD specialist, they’ll understand and they’ll treat it like any other theme! They won’t judge you. Someone who’s not knowledgeable about OCD might ask you to analyze the thoughts, making OCD worse. If you’re extremely anxious about bringing this up, you can start by making it a broad hypothetical. “How do you help people with taboo themes? Even though I know I’m not a bad person, my thoughts make me worry that I am one or that other people will think I’m bad.” A good therapist will help you understand their process. They’ll understand how difficult it is to share about your obsessions, and they’ll work to help you feel more comfortable sharing.

I was super worried about this. One of my major themes is Harm OCD. I just laid it all out there and watched my therapist's expression. It didn't even change. If you have a counselor who understands OCD, they have heard it all before. OCD is not your fault. No need to be embarrassed or a shape. If you aren't honest, they can't help you.

Sorry, should be ashamed, not a shape. Stupid autocorrect

I struggle with the same thing, though it isn’t my main theme. An OCD therapist will completely understand you.

I was extremely nervous walking into my first therapy session with a BIPOC therapist...I was deeply afraid of offending her. I made up my mind that I would focus on my other distressing thoughts and I wouldn't say anything about the racial ones. That plan fell apart because I felt so comfortable around her...and she was so non-judgemental...that I melted and explained everything during the first session. She treated my thoughts like they were the least upsetting thing in the world and I felt extremely safe around her. I know it feels frightening, but the reality is that your therapist has heard it all. Very little is going to shock them. They're here to help you, and they won't judge you for having a disorder and struggling with distressing or confusing thoughts.