Vanessa Duran

Originally, I worked at a dialysis clinic, helping patients with insurance issues. I found that I really liked sitting chairside with people, listening to their stories, the day-to-day things they were going through, and trying to find ways to help them. I realized therapy was my calling, and I decided to pursue it as a profession.

I've previously treated trauma. Many of the evidence-based treatments for trauma are similar to exposure and response prevention that we use in OCD. I felt like it was a natural fit for me. What I find most gratifying is hearing that a person I've been working with is doing something they had previously shied away from. Growth looks different for each person. It's not necessarily a jump from zero to 10. It could be small incremental changes. Sometimes growth even looks like going a few steps backward before progressing forward. Making small, incremental changes over time, you can look back and say, I've climbed a mountain.

I have experience treating anxiety and depression. My main focus has been post-traumatic stress disorder.

Come to therapy as your authentic self. Bring your truth. Be prepared to work. Therapy isn't always easy—there are times when we're going to push and we're going to negotiate for goals—but it is the most effective way to help you feel better in the long run.

Absolutely bring it up. Say, 'Hey, I'm having some reservations about sharing what's on my mind.' Just bringing up the fact that you're uncomfortable talking about something can lead to areas of improvement, healing, and growth.