Ursula Wright

I'd wanted to be a social worker since I was 12. My life during that time was full of trauma and despair. There was a social worker who helped my mother, my sister, and me during that time. She was a voice of hope, kindness, strength, and direction, and that made all the difference in my life. I decided to become a social worker and counselor so I could give that hope to others.

For many years of my life, I thought OCD was nothing more than repetitive hand washing and flipping lights on and off for no good reason. However, in my late 30s while in my social work program at the university, I had an opportunity to begin to study and research OCD on my own. I had not had many OCD triggers during that time for some reason. It was very quiet. But, for the first time, what I was reading in textbooks and research brought me calm and a realization that this struggle I had for many years was OCD. I started researching OCD, and I learned about misdiagnosis. OCD is often misdiagnosed as generalized anxiety and depression, both of which I had been treated for with medications that did not work. I learned that talk therapy, which I attended over the years in hopes of healing, does not work for OCD. I now had the tools I needed to manage my OCD for the first time. It wasn’t until many years later that I needed to seek out ERP therapy for an exacerbation of OCD symptoms that threatened to ruin my life once again. When I sought out ERP therapy, my life was changed forever! I had the tools to recognize the mental thought patterns that kept me stuck. I had the bravery and support to face my anxiety and learn that it will not hurt me, though it doesn’t feel good. I began to have hope again in the midst of an increase in symptoms. Years later, my adult daughter started struggling with what I recognized as severe OCD, including intrusive thoughts, fears, and debilitating anxiety. Her symptoms looked very familiar to my OCD symptoms and immediately, I knew the best treatment for my daughter was ERP therapy. ERP therapy has provided her with healing and the tools to heal and thrive. As licensed social worker, this had to be my specialization, and here I am!

I also have experience helping people with depression and anxiety disorders, trichotillomania/excoriation disorder, ADHD, perinatal mental health, grief, loss, bereavement, relationship issues, life transition, family conflict, parenting, and anger management.

Just schedule the first session. Just one. ERP is highly effective in comparison to talk therapy. If you're not happy with one therapist, NOCD has many to choose from. Your healing is our goal. This is your own story to create at your own pace. I'm here to guide and support you daily, provide encouragement, and watch you thrive. Plan on two one-hour sessions weekly for the first few weeks to get well versed in ERP. And ERP must be done at home in between sessions. OCD can affect you every day, so you have to use the tools and do the work every day until they become second nature.

Tell me that you’re scared. We can ease into them as you are ready. I'm open minded, caring, and encouraging, and I have walked a personal walk. I was also afraid to share my thoughts with a therapist. Trusting the right person with your care can bring you strength, help you realize you are not alone, and can provide healing in ways you never imagined. I am proof.