How to Use This Script

This script is designed to be read aloud during your coaching session. "You" sometimes addresses you as the coach and sometimes your loved one — just as it would in a natural conversation. Speak it in your own voice; paraphrase where it feels right. Sections in blockquotes are exercises to do together.

You: You've made incredible progress. The OCD monster that was once roaring is now more of a whisper. The goal now is to keep it that way. This is relapse prevention. It's not about being constantly vigilant, but about being prepared. It involves creating a maintenance plan. Just like someone with diabetes needs to manage their insulin, a person with OCD needs to manage their symptoms. This might mean doing a planned ERP exercise once a week, even when they feel good. It also means having a plan for when major life stressors happen—a new job, a move, a loss. These are the times when OCD will try to sneak back in. Think of it as having a fire escape plan for your building. You hope you never have to use it, but you know exactly where it is and what to do if the alarm sounds. Your role is not to be the fire chief, but the person who helps practice the fire drill, ensuring everyone knows the way to safety.

Nervous System Regulation Exercise: Bilateral Movement

You: "Let's get your body moving. Stand up and march in place — bring your right hand to your left knee, then your left hand to your right knee. Keep alternating."

You: "Let your arms swing naturally. Breathe normally. Continue for 2 to 3 minutes. Notice if you feel more present, less foggy."

Why this works: Cross-lateral movement activates both brain hemispheres simultaneously, promoting integration. It also generates proprioceptive input, helping your body locate itself in space — critical when someone feels disconnected.

You: "This is a great first move when someone is shut down and can't access breathing exercises. Movement often works when stillness doesn't."

Nervous System Regulation Exercise: Feet on Floor

You: "Here's the simplest grounding tool there is. Press both feet flat on the floor. Remove your shoes if you can."

You: "Feel the contact — the texture, the temperature. Imagine roots growing from the soles of your feet down into the earth. With each exhale, let your weight settle downward. Gravity is constant and reliable."

Why this works: Proprioceptive input through the feet sends grounding signals to the brainstem. The deliberate attention to gravity interrupts the 'floating' or 'unreal' quality of dissociation.

You: "You can do this anywhere — in a waiting room, during a difficult conversation. No one needs to know."

Go Deeper