Julie Vierling

I just wanted to be able to help people achieve their goals, be the best they can be, and reach their best potential in life, whatever that may be. It's in my DNA to be empathetic. I may be a little more understanding and patient with people with anxiety, allowing them the time to be comfortable to share without pushing. I think my empathetic nature allows me to know when to push and when not to. That's an important thing to recognize: When is the right time? I also have anxiety issues of my own. I have found that working with people to help them realize their goals and work through their anxiety issues has helped me educate myself as well.

I believe OCD is a significant issue in the world we live in today. The treatment for OCD, exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, can be applicable to and helpful with many other mental health disorders. I learn every day from members, and I love that. It could be something small or something large, but I'm always learning. I always want to learn.

I've done a lot of work with trauma, grief, substance use disorders, and crisis-oriented interventions. I worked in an ER for 25 years, so I handled a lot of crises. I did that for so long because I found that I was effective at it. I have a calming demeanor, which is helpful in crisis situations. My soft-spokenness is comforting to people and can dissipate some of the anxiety from the crisis as well.

I would really like you to be the driver of your treatment. What do you want to focus on? What are your strengths? How can we help you improve in the areas that they want to improve in? I'm focused on where you are and where you would like to see yourself go. I will move you along at your own pace. I'm not going to make you do what you don't want to do. I'm going to be supportive in helping you achieve what you want to achieve. I have found ERP to be the best—really, the only—treatment for OCD. I've seen it work for people with all different types of OCD. It just works. Much more than any other treatments that I've done, such as simple CBT, talk therapy, or psychotherapy.

Share that you're afraid. Maybe we can figure out why—what's the underlying cause of the fear? I can support you in that process. I'm not into making people share what they don't want to share. When you're ready, in your own time, and when it's right for you, you'll find a way to share. I'll be ready when you're ready.