In their words
What the Community is Saying
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The Behind the Scenes sibling support group I have been fortunate enough to attend has been a crucial stepping stone in my own healing and learning.
— Support group member
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Thank you for creating this support group. I am really touched that something like this exists. And I feel very uniquely seen that a support group has been created to help siblings of people with OCD cope and learn and support each other through the complex feelings that being a sibling of someone with OCD brings. These feelings can be challenging to name- and I think some of us suppress them- so that makes these opportunities all the more important and meaningful. From current me, thank you for being a deeply meaningful resource. From 15-yr old me, thank you for the hope. From 9-yr old me, thank you for the opportunity to understand my experience and know that my sister’s OCD was never my fault.
— Support group member
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Thank you so much for creating & facilitating the support group. My son was a little reluctant to participate before the group met, but he came out of the meeting feeling energized, validated, and encouraged. We are very thankful for what Behind the Scenes is doing, and he is looking forward to joining next month too!
— Support group member
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The Austin Kang Sibling Scholarship provided me the opportunity to attend a conference that will have an impact on me for the rest of my life.
— Support group member
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I am forever grateful for this scholarship for giving me this opportunity that I would have otherwise not even considered a possibility. The scholarship has renewed my hope in progress for my family and sibling, and also made me see how holding this identity as a sibling can be something I am proud of and use to do good in the world.
— Support group member
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The Austin Kang Sibling Scholarship opened a door for me to connect with others, process some of my experiences, build my self-compassion, and enhance my empathy for my sibling living with OCD.
— Support group member
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The Austin Kang Sibling Scholarship helped our family to not feel so alone and to be supported as a team on this challenging journey.
— Support group member
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Thank you for your generosity. We deeply appreciate it as the Austin Kang Sibling Scholarship was definitely the difference that made it possible for us to attend, especially in person with the cost of the flights and the hotel.
— Support group member
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This is such a needed area of support. You’re absolutely right that siblings are often overlooked. While there are many excellent resources for individuals with OCD and their parents, siblings are frequently left without guidance or a place to process their own experiences. Having a resource designed specifically for them is incredibly valuable. I appreciate you sharing the guide and will certainly pass it along to the families I work with when I think it would be helpful. Thank you for the work you’re doing to support this often underserved group.
— Clinician
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I read through it and really like it. I am already thinking of a patient, who is an “OCD sibling”, who was just talking about many of these same issues. Thank you for making this available.
— Clinician
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You put your heart, hard work, and true dedication into this project and I just wanted to recognize and appreciate that. I will share this with any family members I encounter who need this type of guide and support. Thank you for sharing this wonderful resource!
— Clinician
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I really appreciate the thought and effort that clearly went into creating a resource specifically for siblings. This is such an underserved area, and I think your guide has the potential to be a very valuable resource for families. My hope is that it helps siblings feel more seen, less alone, and plants a seed that their own experiences and well-being matter, too. Thank you for the advocacy work you’re doing for an often-overlooked part of the OCD community. I wish you all the best with Behind the Scenes and look forward to seeing it continue to grow.
— Clinician
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Siblings are so often overlooked, though definitely impacted, when they have a sibling with OCD. While we know that OCD impacts the whole family, there is a lack of information that exists specifically about the sibling experience or to support siblings (this is true regardless of the sibling’s age). Austin has created a guide that is both deeply personal and grounded in solid information about OCD. He has clearly done his homework and he calls upon what little research does exist on siblings and OCD. Austin does an excellent job of explaining what OCD is, what a sibling may experience, and how siblings can look after their own well-being. I think this guide would be an excellent resource for mature teenagers, young adults, and beyond.
— Clinician
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Siblings are a really overlooked group so your work is incredibly valuable. Thanks for being part of the solution.
— Clinician
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What a wonderful resource, and it's very well laid out to be accessible to siblings. We are always looking for more ways to support the entire family system throughout this process. I will share this with all of our clinicians at our three adolescent residential center locations. Thank you for your personal stories and vulnerability as well. I know this will be valuable and I hope some of the families are able to join the sibling support group.
— Clinician
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My crew is PSYCHED about this guide.
— Clinician