Obsessive compulsive disorder - OCD treatment and therapy from NOCD

A Time for Unity: A Message from Dr. Patrick McGrath

2 min read
Patrick McGrath, PhD

Hello NOCD Community,

NOCD is a community of individuals with OCD who support each other through their OCD challenges. Sometimes OCD can be influenced by events that are occurring in our world, in our country, and in our communities. This is surely one of those times.

We are all mourning the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, among too many others who have been victimized, marginalized, or murdered because of the color of their skin.

The NOCD community is your place to be open about your fears or concerns. We appreciate the support that you give each other. We want our community to continue to be a safe place where you can talk about how you and your OCD are affected by what is happening in the world, and we hope that you will continue to make the community a welcoming and affirming place for all.

Just as it may be difficult to understand how people have different types of OCD, people also have different life experiences that make them more sensitive and vulnerable to the tragedies of the world. We are not here to judge; we are here to listen.

Know that any derogatory speech on the community will not be tolerated. It is just not what we are about, and it does not make us better to put others down. In fact, that is one of the reasons why we have the problems in our world that we have – when one person looks at another person as “less than.” We hope that no one will look at any of us as “less than” because we have OCD, and we will not tolerate it for other reasons either.

NOCD is here as a forum of support for the OCD community, and that community hurts when other communities hurt. We stand with the black community. So, let us support each other in these times and use the compassion and understanding of our commonality – our OCD – as a model for helping others find solidarity in being a part of the entire human race. 

Sincerely, 
Patrick B. McGrath, Ph.D.
Head of Clinical Services, NOCD


If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, schedule a free call today with the NOCD clinical team to learn more about how a licensed therapist can help. ERP is most effective when the therapist conducting the treatment has experience with OCD and training in ERP. At NOCD, all therapists specialize in OCD and receive ERP-specific training.

NOCD Therapists specialize in treating OCD

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Taylor Newendorp

Taylor Newendorp

Network Clinical Training Director

I started as a therapist over 14 years ago, working in different mental health environments. Many people with OCD that weren't being treated for it crossed my path and weren't getting better. I decided that I wanted to help people with OCD, so I became an OCD therapist, and eventually, a clinical supervisor. I treated people using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and saw people get better day in and day out. I continue to use ERP because nothing is more effective in treating OCD.

Gary Vandalfsen

Gary Vandalfsen

Licensed Therapist, Psychologist

I’ve been practicing as a licensed therapist for over twenty five years. My main area of focus is OCD with specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy. I use ERP to treat people with all types of OCD themes, including aggressive, taboo, and a range of other unique types.

Madina Alam

Madina Alam

Director of Therapist Engagement

When I started treating OCD, I quickly realized how much this type of work means to me because I had to learn how to be okay with discomfort and uncertainty myself. I’ve been practicing as a licensed therapist since 2016. My graduate work is in mental health counseling, and I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy because it’s the gold standard of OCD treatment.

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