Debbie Ward
Licensed Therapist, MSW, LCSW
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I view the therapy process as collaborative. You are the expert on your life and experiences. I'll meet you where you're at, and together we'll create a treatment plan that will target your specific needs. NOCD is dedicated to providing effective, evidence-based treatment for all its members. The most gratifying part of my job is being there with a member and seeing the relief they get from the process. In addition to OCD treatment, my areas of focus include trauma, depression, and anxiety.
I view the therapy process as collaborative. You are the expert on your life and experiences. I'll meet you where you're at, and together we'll create a treatment plan that will target your specific needs. NOCD is dedicated to providing effective, evidence-based treatment for all its members. The most gratifying part of my job is being there with a member and seeing the relief they get from the process. In addition to OCD treatment, my areas of focus include trauma, depression, and anxiety.
Location
Licensed in Arizona, Minnesota, Oregon
About
Clinical Expertise
OCD, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, Skin picking, Hair pulling, Nail biting, Tics, Children and Adolescents
Cultural competencies
Buddhism, Atheism
Education
Arizona State University
Insurance
Plans accepted by Debbie
Aetna, Ascension SmartHealth, Banner Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Curative, EMI Health, Forest County Potawatomi, Healthcare Management Administrators, Horizon BCBS, Independence Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Partners Direct Health, Regence Blue Cross, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield Oregon, Regence Group Administrators, United Healthcare,
Want to work with Debbie?
Talk with our team to learn more.
Get to know Debbie
My personal connection to OCD
My dad was diagnosed with OCD just last year. He's almost 60, so it was a pretty big deal for him to get that diagnosis. I love my dad, and seeing how much this has affected his whole life and how much he's just kind of tried to white-knuckle through everything that was going on really impacted the way that I think about OCD. Getting specialized treatment was life-changing for him, and I pursued training in it so I could learn how to be a better therapist.
How I create a safe, supportive environment in therapy
I had my own experiences going to therapists who were kind of cold or standoffish, so I didn't feel fully comfortable being myself, and I try to really make myself available to my Members because of that. I also want to meet you where you're at. I love sessions where we can laugh about things if that's the mood you're in. Being able to build the relationship is so important to me.
My message to you if you're struggling right now
It can seem scary when you're on the outside looking in, thinking of making changes and of purposely exposing yourself to something that makes you anxious. But I think if you listen to other people who have gone through ERP and how much they were struggling before, you'll see that OCD does not need to take over your life anymore. I think it's about recognizing that and telling yourself, "Let me try this, and it might be hard for a little bit, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel if I make this change."
Why our members love working with Debbie
A.F.
I am already seeing great progress in the seven weeks I’ve been a part of NOCD. Debbie Ward is fantastic. She is very easy to talk to, and she always gives me great insight. If you are scared to start therapy because your thoughts seem so taboo or disturbing, don’t let that stop you!!! You won’t shock your NOCD therapist.
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