ABOUT US
After living with distressing intrusive thoughts since early childhood, I finally got an OCD diagnosis at 32. It came with a lot of other, very painful, symptoms associated with generalised anxiety, panic disorder and depression. I found that
the best way to traverse recovery and to develop self compassion and
kindness (even if my mind was telling my I didn't deserve it) was through
the use of Olivia - a cheeky and somewhat sassy character that helped
me separate myself from my condition and practice those positive skills.
I set up a blog about Olivia for my own personal use and hoped it
would help one or two others. Fast forward five years and it's grown
beyond my wildest dreams. Taming Olivia is used as a concept around
the world. We've appeared in international press, in classrooms, therapists
offices and conference centers globally, and, importantly, in discussions
around dinner tables.
OUR STORY
OUR DIRECTION
Besides the website and the blog, Taming Olivia is involved in a range of exciting projects.
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I am Executive Producer on a short film called Waving which documents the realities of dealing with distressing intrusive thoughts for the first time in the mainstream media. It stars Ralph Ineson and Krissi Bohn. It's currently in it's film festival run and will be released Summer 2023. It is a huge passion project with the majority of the cast, crew and management receiving no wage at all.
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I am currently co-developing an OCD prevention app with the University of Bath. This will be produced alongside the NHS and will be the first app of its kind internationally!
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I am busy creating resources that can be given out free to people dealing with OCD and other mental health disorders.
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Supporting the 'For Want of A Nail' team with an exciting new development of their ten part series about OCD.
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Volunteering for a range of UK and international OCD charities including the wonderful
OCD Action, Maternal OCD and the International OCD Foundation
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Speaking at conferences and writing about OCD for international organisations, charities
and the media.
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Continuing to share our story with international press.
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Creating Taming Olivia resources for children and schools to use to help with self-esteem,
self compassion and self love.
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The majority of Taming Olivias projects are funded by our day jobs. If you would like to help us continue our work, please use the 'support our work' button at the bottom of the page. 100% of donations go straight back into Taming Olivia.