By Krista Reed, LSCSW
OCD has put me through hell and back—and then sometimes back to hell again. In 2017, I was down and out, struggling with OCD, when I stumbled across a video on the IOCDF blog titled “Ethan S. Smith: From Couch to Keynote.” I didn’t watch it until recently. I was scared. I was a clinician who couldn’t even manage my own OCD, and here was someone who, in my mind, had “worse” OCD than I did—and yet, he had gotten better. OCD has always had a funny way of making me feel like a fraud.
In 2022, I became an IOCDF advocate and met Ethan for the first time in person. I was beyond intimidated. There he was—in the flesh—someone I admired deeply. And yet, my OCD wanted me to feel jealous of him, to feel less than. I froze, even as he kindly introduced himself. What I saw in that moment was someone genuine. I wasn’t a celebrity, or someone known in the community, yet he came up to me and introduced himself. THE Ethan Smith introduced himself TO ME?! I could tell right then that he was someone special, someone with a kind heart—not just for those in the OCD community, but for everyone.
Ethan gave me hope. I’m from a small town in western Kansas where no one talks about their feelings—and I’m someone who wants to talk about all their feelings. I always knew I was different, but I didn’t know it was OCD until I was properly diagnosed at 31. Even after that, the small-town Kansas girl inside me was afraid to share her feelings or her story. Watching Ethan’s keynote helped me see that it’s OK to say to the world: This is who I am. I have OCD. And I’m not afraid to talk about it. Ethan Smith had a profound impact on my recovery.
Ethan’s impact is far-reaching, and here are just a few of the lives he has touched:
“Ethan Smith is a true pioneer in the world of OCD advocacy, and I’ve been blessed to call him both a mentor and close friend for nearly a decade. His ability to be authentic and vulnerable while connecting on such a meaningful level within the community is what has always impressed me the most. His work and efforts to break down the stigma around OCD have been nothing short of tremendous, and I am so thankful for his presence in advocacy.”
— Tom Smalley, Struggle into Strength Performance, LLC
“Ethan has made a profound impact on the OCD community on every level. He has demonstrated tremendous courage and vulnerability in sharing the details of his story, as well as dedication and unending passion for using his experience to help others. Thank you, Ethan, for all the time, energy, heart, and soul you’ve poured into truly saving lives.”
— Dr. Molly Martinez, Specialists in OCD and Anxiety Recovery
“If the earth is the OCD community, then Ethan Smith is the sun. His heart and his humor, his care and compassion, his light and his love are felt by every person he encounters. Having OCD often feels like having a curse—but knowing Ethan Smith is an ever-present blessing.”
— Hannah Zidansek, IOCDF Advocate
“I’ve never met someone like Ethan before—so dedicated to healing the courageous people of the OCD community. He’s never asked for anything. Never demanded his name be in headlines. That’s how I know Ethan gets it. His advocacy runs deep. His words and compassion are legit. He works harder behind the scenes than anyone I know. That is who Ethan Smith is—a man who makes me feel inspired, brave, supported, understood, grateful, and hopeful. Thank you, Ethan. You are a truly special human being. I love you, man.”
— Sean Shinnock, The Monster Initiative / Draw Your Monster
“Ethan has made me double over laughing more times than I can count, and he’s such a good listener! I’ve seen him in action at OCD conferences, and he is a true gift to our community. People love Ethan. They wait in line to talk to him, to hear his advice. And anyone can see it’s because he genuinely cares about helping others live fulfilling lives like he does. Once, when I mentioned that I knew him, someone gasped and said, ‘You know THE Ethan Smith?’ How lucky am I that I get to say yes?”
— *Alison Dotson, Being Me with OCD
“It is rare to meet an angel. I was once told by a mother that her family had been ‘helped by an angel.’ That angel was Ethan Smith. He spent hours on the phone with them, listening, offering support, encouragement, and hope—then made gentle, light-hearted jokes to ease the weight of it all. He’s touched thousands in our community. I’m honored to know him, celebrate him, and adore him.”
— Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, Your Anxiety Toolkit
“Ethan is a fierce advocate with a unique ability to show up for his community with tenacity and deep compassion. His storytelling has turned pain into purpose. He is a true collaborator and someone I am forever grateful to have in my corner.”
— Anna Lenes, colleague, ESS Solutions
“There’s an old African proverb: Izandla ziyagezana, meaning ‘hands wash each other.’ Ethan reminded me that we are here to help one another, to build each other up. I'm forever grateful to him—my friend, mentor, and fellow advocate.”
— Valerie Andrews, IOCDF Advocate
“There’s truly no one like Ethan Smith. He effortlessly makes you feel seen, safe, and supported. He models what it means to manage OCD with resilience and compassion. I’ve seen him help others in ways that are almost unfair—he’ll say something in a live stream and suddenly it becomes profound wisdom. That’s the Ethan Effect. I feel lucky to call him a friend and a fellow advocate.”
— Dr. Emily Bailey, Atlanta OCD and Anxiety Treatment, LLC
“I met Ethan at my first conference in 2018. We talked about using creativity to help others in the OCD community. I’ll never forget that first chat—I wouldn’t be where I am as an advocate without him.”
— Molly Fishback, Not Alone Notes
“Ethan made me feel welcomed from day one. He saw the value in my advocacy and encouraged my work. Because of him, it grew.”
— Morgan Rondinelli, Not Alone Notes
“Ethan’s advocacy is a shining example we all admire. His dedication has inspired so many. Thank you, Ethan.”
— Margaret Sisson, Riley’s Wish Foundation
“When I think of the OCD community, Ethan’s face is one of the first to come to mind. His warmth is genuine, and his dedication has brought so much comfort to those in the throes of OCD.”
— Lauren Rosen, LMFT, The Center for the Obsessive Mind
“Ethan’s vulnerability has shown countless people that recovery is possible. His keynote? Perfection. It’s bookmarked in my browser for frequent client shares.”
— Ben Eckstein, LCSW, Bull City Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center
“His story is a testament to how someone can overcome even the most stubborn symptoms. Ethan’s dedication has inspired advocates everywhere—including me.”
— Stuart Ralph, The OCD Stories
“Ethan Smith has changed OCD education, advocacy, and our community forever. His desire to help others and de-stigmatize OCD is instrumental. I’m honored to call him a friend.”
— Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, LCSW, OCDI Texas
“Where do you even start? Ethan is the face of OCD advocacy—and what we see online is just the tip of the iceberg. He works tirelessly behind the scenes with compassion and humility. The OCD community is incredibly lucky to have him.” ❤️
— Catherine Benfield, Taming Olivia
"The word that comes to mind when I think of Ethan Smith is selflessness. Ethan puts the needs of our community before his own. I have witnessed him talk to people struggling with OCD and their family members for hours at the conference, giving them direction and hope. I’ve had countless conversations with Ethan about different ways he wants to create new programs to help those in need. It has been an honor to advocate alongside Ethan and witness him share his recovery story authentically and meaningfully, which has touched and inspired thousands."
— Chris Trondsen, IOCDF Board of Directors
And finally, from one of his biggest supporters—through better or worse—his beautiful wife, Rev. Katie O’Dunne:
**“Ethan Smith is truly the definition of a hero. Years ago, he came up with the idea for the IOCDF advocacy program and brought it to the board. He led it alone for years, often as the only national advocate and public face of the organization. What people didn’t always see were the day-to-day ways he showed up—meeting with people, connecting them to resources, encouraging them. During COVID, he came up with the idea for a virtual conference and helped build it from scratch. That same year, he launched the IOCDF livestream series, which became the foundation of today’s virtual programming.
Everywhere we go, people come up to Ethan and say they found treatment because of him. In Denver, someone even pulled out a framed letter Ethan had written to them—a letter they said saved their life in residential treatment.
He is my hero. And he’s a hero to so many.”**
To quote Ethan Smith, from his brilliant keynote:
“The amount of pain that you invest today is worth the pleasure for the rest of your life.”
Thank you, Ethan, for enduring the pain. Without it, none of us would have had the pleasure of meeting one of the most incredible humans—a man who has changed all our lives. You truly are a hero.
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