Vanessa Duran
Licensed Therapist, MSW, LCSW
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OCD is often misdiagnosed, which leads to years of suffering. NOCD makes it possible for everyone to receive the proper treatment and live the best life possible. My approach to treating OCD involves going at a pace that's comfortable but challenging for my members. It's an individualized process that relies heavily on rapport. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) helps you live your life the way you want, not how OCD tells you. My other focus areas include trauma, depression, and anxiety. As a 16-year Navy veteran, I've treated many service members for trauma.
OCD is often misdiagnosed, which leads to years of suffering. NOCD makes it possible for everyone to receive the proper treatment and live the best life possible. My approach to treating OCD involves going at a pace that's comfortable but challenging for my members. It's an individualized process that relies heavily on rapport. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) helps you live your life the way you want, not how OCD tells you. My other focus areas include trauma, depression, and anxiety. As a 16-year Navy veteran, I've treated many service members for trauma.
Location
Licensed in Connecticut, District of Columbia
About
Clinical Expertise
OCD, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, Skin picking, Hair pulling, Nail biting, Tics, Hoarding disorder, Children and Adolescents
LGBTQ+ affirming
Cultural competencies
Christianity, Islam, Atheism, Agnosticism, Buddhism
Education
Fayetteville State University
Insurance
Plans accepted by Vanessa
Aetna, Ascension SmartHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Cigna, ClaimDOC, Claritev (MultiPlan) PHCS, Curative, Forest County Potawatomi, GEHA, Horizon BCBS, Independence Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Medical Mutual, Meritain Health, Partners Direct Health, UHC Student Services, UMR, UMR - The Alliance, United Health Care Student Services, United Healthcare, United Healthcare Shared Services,
Want to work with Vanessa?
Talk with our team to learn more.
Get to know Vanessa
My personal connection to OCD and mental health
I had a tic disorder growing up, which is an OCD-related disorder. This was in the 80's and my parents didn't know a lot about it, so I was always told, "Stop doing that. Quit doing that. Just quit." It wasn't as easy as just quitting. They did the best they could given that they didn't know too much, but I did take on a lot of shame and guilt. I started doing more mental compulsions because those were easier to hide.
How I create a safe, supportive environment in therapy
I try my best to provide a non-judgmental space. I'm here to learn and understand how I can help you, and that's going to require a little bit of trust and vulnerability. When I ask questions, I try to frame them in a way that sounds just like a regular conversation—so there's not a whole lot of pressure. I want to know what motivates you, what makes you happy, and what your goals are for the future. This gives me a good picture of what you want out of your treatment.
My message to you if you're struggling right now
It's important to recognize that you're not alone. Sometimes, OCD can make you feel like your thoughts are so taboo. It can make you feel like you're on an island. I want you to feel like you have a community or support or a village, and to know that you're not the only one who thinks this way. You may feel afraid saying these things out loud, but they're actually quite common. They're so common that we have a name for it.
Why our members love working with Vanessa
D.P.
Good experienceI am so fortunate to have had Vanessa Duran as my NOCD therapist for several years! Vanessa is an amazing and highly effective therapist. She is compassionate, kind, friendly, personable, supportive, understanding, flexible, patient, helpful, knowledgeable, professional, and she has so many other wonderful qualities as well. It is so clear that she enjoys being a therapist and that she truly cares about her patients. Vanessa has helped me make so much progress and she has had such a positive impact on my life. I highly recommend Vanessa to anyone who is looking for a therapist. I need to switch my NOCD therapist due to an insurance change, but I am SO thankful that I have had the opportunity to work with Vanessa Duran and to receive treatment at NOCD. Thank you!
J.J.
Good experienceWonderful educational tools and insights
K.C.
Good experienceVanessa Duran is absolutely amazing!
J.J.
Good experienceI feel that Vanessa does a fantastic job listening to me, being personable and also professional. Thank you!!
S.D.
Good experienceI knew I liked Vanessa right away. She has a very kind, gentle and genuine way about her. I feel comfortable talking with her. She shows care for me. She is educating and provides me with hope that I can get better.
J.J.
Good experienceVanessa was so kind, open and gentle. Thank you for showing me that I can get help!
D.P.
Good experienceMy first session with my therapist went great! She was very professional and made me feel hopeful!
E.B.
Good experienceWe love Vanessa very much!!! We find her to be compassionate and knowledgeable. We are so grateful for her and for NOCD!!!!
J.T.
Good experienceVanessa is FANTASTIC! I don't know where Id be without her. I have struggled on/off with OCD for many years and had a relapse of symptoms after having my first baby last summer. I suffered with scary intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions for months. Im so grateful that I finally took this step and committed to treatment through NOCD. Its extremely convenient and all of the exercises and homework and treatment plan materials are in your app portal. Vanessa is kind, relatable, friendly and sooo down to earth and understanding. She honestly made ERP fun, I even was able to laugh at my self a few times. She gives so much encouragement and really made me feel confident that I have what it takes to beat OCD!!! Highly recommend Vanessa and NOCD. Also loved that using the app and zoom made ERP less intimidating than it may have been in person as I procrastinated on having to go into someones office not knowing what to expect. I feel amazing compared to when I started this journey - 5 stars!
M.L.
Good experienceI absolutely love my therapist. She has helped me a great deal and I hope to continue to work with her. However, before my first appointment I was told my therapy would be in network. But after 10 sessions I was informed by my insurance company that it is out of network. I have been battling with NOCD and my insurance company to get it straitened out. This is causing a lot of undo stress and the balance is astronomical to me and now I cannot continue therapy because it is too high. Now I have to wait for them to straighten it out.
M.L.
Good experienceShe is an amazing therapist!
B.M.
Good experienceMy therapist Vanessa was extremely supportive and helped me with through a challenging exposure today. I’ve grown to appreciate how caring and understanding she is with my treatment and the compulsions I struggle with.
M.L.
Good experienceToday was an amazing breakthrough session! It is the first time in many years were I felt peace. I look forward to continuing our work together.
C.J.
Good experienceVery patient and understanding
M.L.
Good experienceVery professional. I look forward to working with her to help me with my OCD.
J.A.
Good experienceVanessa is the best
N.L.
Good experienceShe is incredible
P.P.
Good experience4th session and feeling this is going very well.
M.P.
Good experienceVery patient
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