Obsessive compulsive disorder - OCD treatment and therapy from NOCD

Meet The OCD Experts Behind Your Care: The NOCD Clinical Leadership Team

By Hannah Overbeek

Oct 17, 20249 minute read

When you’re seeking care for a misunderstood and complex condition like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not your therapist is qualified to treat you. At NOCD, we want you to have the peace of mind that can come from knowing your therapist is not only extensively trained, but also led and supported by experts with decades of experience in OCD.

When you work with a NOCD Therapist, you’re benefiting from the expertise of our Clinical Leadership Team, a group of world-renowned clinicians and researchers who have dedicated their careers to helping people conquer OCD. Our clinical leaders select and train our therapists, regularly consult with them, and develop the treatment protocols that guide every therapy session.

Their support and guidance ensure our therapists are fully prepared to make you feel safe, comfortable, and understood as they help you conquer OCD with exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, the most effective treatment.

Meet the leaders behind our life-changing care.

Dr. Patrick McGrath

Chief Clinical Officer; 25 years of OCD treatment experience

What does your role at NOCD entail?

“As the CCO of NOCD, I’m deeply involved in all clinical areas of the company, including interviewing and training our therapists, providing guidance on complex cases when therapists need support, and setting policies and procedures. Providing support between sessions is a key part of NOCD Therapy, so I also host our podcast, Get to know OCD, where I share inspiring and educational stories of people who’ve conquered OCD, and do a live Q&A each week for NOCD Members.”

What’s the #1 thing you would want someone to know before starting treatment?

“Before you start treatment, prepare yourself for the experience. Treatment can be amazingly rewarding. It takes effort, but living with untreated OCD takes far more effort.”

What would you say to someone struggling with OCD who’s afraid to seek help?

“OCD wants you to be afraid of treatment because it does not want to go away. Not doing therapy is playing right into the hands of OCD.”

Interesting fact:

Dr. McGrath is the author of “Don’t Try Harder, Try Different,” and “The OCD Answer Book” and was featured on the Discovery Health Channel’s documentary “Panic” and on three episodes of “Hoarding; Buried Alive” on TLC.

Dr. Jamie Feusner

Chief Medical Officer; 18 years of OCD treatment and research experience

What does your role at NOCD entail?

“Together with the clinical leadership team, I helped develop the OCD treatment methods and procedures we use at NOCD. I currently oversee the outcomes our therapists achieve to ensure they’re delivering excellence, My role also involves planning and developing new treatment options, conducting research on our treatment outcomes, and publishing the results in peer-reviewed science journals. I also support our payer and clinical partnerships to broaden access to effective treatment for OCD.”

What’s the #1 thing you would want someone to know before starting treatment?

“Without exaggeration, I’ve seen people with OCD completely change their lives with treatment. It’s never too late, and the best time is now.”

What would you say to someone struggling with OCD who’s afraid to seek help?

“It’s natural to be afraid; yet, I believe everyone has that nugget of courage to get themselves started. This is helped immensely by reaching out to others for encouragement and guidance.”

Interesting fact:

Dr. Feusner is also a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.

Tracie Zinman-Ibrahim, LMFT, CST

Chief Compliance Officer; 20 years of OCD treatment experience

What does your role at NOCD entail?

“I manage the Risk and Compliance Department and create policies and protocols that ensure that NOCD is in compliance with the laws in the many regions we serve. Additionally, I oversee our auditing processes that ensure clinical excellence. I also interview potential therapists, screen them for the qualifications required to enter our training program, and provide therapy for Members in multiple states where I am licensed.”

What’s the #1 thing you would want someone to know before starting treatment? 

“Many people worry about being judged, or even reported in some way because they suffer from really difficult or taboo themes of OCD. I want them to know that this is a very common fear, and we are here to support and guide you through even your most difficult struggles because we care and we understand.”

What would you say to someone struggling with OCD who’s afraid to seek help? 

“Therapy can seem so overwhelming and even scary, but it gets much easier once you get started. The payoff of doing the hard work is gaining back control over your life, and it’s so worth it!”

Interesting fact:

Tracie decided to treat OCD after her own life-changing ERP therapy experience.

Dr. Nicholas Farrell

Director of Clinical Development & Programming; 17 years of OCD treatment experience

What does your role at NOCD entail?

“I oversee the scope of clinical services provided by our therapist network. I also provide direct support in training and mentoring new NOCD Therapists, which includes leading training programs on the treatment of conditions related to OCD.”

What’s the #1 thing you would want someone to know before starting treatment? 

“A full recovery is possible! A great deal of effort must be put forth because while treatment is effective, it is not something that is ‘done to you.’ You have to ‘do it.’ But through this effort, recovery is indeed possible.”

What would you say to someone struggling with OCD who’s afraid to seek help? 

“I can understand your hesitation to seek help. I can also confidently assure you it will likely be a decision you won’t ever regret.”

Interesting fact:

Dr. Farrell designed and oversaw the development of several successful OCD treatment training programs prior to helping the Clinical Leadership Team develop our training program for NOCD Therapists.

Taylor Newendorp, LCPC

Network Director of Clinical Training; 13 years of OCD treatment experience

What does your role at NOCD entail?

“I oversee all aspects of the clinical training process for both new and established NOCD Therapists. This includes teaching our newer clinicians the fundamental aspects of administering ERP therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders, as well as offering ongoing intermediate- and advanced-level training courses (including CE presentations) on evidence-based treatment strategies.”

What’s the #1 thing you would want someone to know before starting treatment?

“Please know that there is hope! Our clinicians are trained in providing treatment that has been proven to be effective (for decades!) in alleviating the distress and impairment in functioning associated with symptoms of OCD and anxiety.”

What would you say to someone struggling with OCD who’s afraid to seek help? 

“When you work with a therapist who understands OCD, they will not judge you for any kind of intrusive thoughts or images you are experiencing that are causing you doubt and fear. We understand the unique aspects of OCD that make it so upsetting and scary for people, and, best of all, we know how to help you learn how to overcome those symptoms and live the kind of life you would prefer for yourself.”

Interesting fact:

Taylor is the author of “The Perfectionism Workbook: Proven Strategies to End Procrastination, Accept Yourself, and Achieve Your Goals.”

Dr. Mia Nuñez

Director of Clinical Integrity; 10 years of OCD treatment experience

What does your role at NOCD entail?

“My current focus is on new therapist interviews and ensuring that the therapists that join our network are passionate about helping people with OCD and related conditions, that their values align with ours, and that they are capable of becoming elite OCD treatment providers. I am also the Director of Continuing Education for NOCD and work with an amazing team to produce world-class trainings that forward our mission of educating the community about OCD and ending stigma. Along with the rest of the Clinical Leadership team, I also have eyes on the treatment we’re providing and our outcomes to ensure that they are of the highest standard.”

What’s the #1 thing you would want someone to know before starting treatment?

“I have incredible faith in the effectiveness of ERP—if you fully engage in treatment, I have every reason to think you will be feeling much better very soon.”

What would you say to someone struggling with OCD who’s afraid to seek help?

“Treatment can be a challenge, but it will be less challenging and infinitely more rewarding than living with OCD indefinitely.”

Interesting fact:

Dr. Nuñez decided to treat OCD after dealing with postpartum intrusive thoughts.

Expert-led care, life-changing results

When you start NOCD Therapy, you’ll experience the expertise and dedication of our Clinical Leadership Team firsthand. They know how transformative ERP therapy can be and have designed every aspect of our treatment program to guide you to life-changing results.

The NOCD Therapist you’re matched with will be extensively trained and mentored by these leading experts in OCD. You’ll know that they’re equipped with the right tools and knowledge to help you overcome OCD and get back to living your life, and that they have a team of world-renowned clinicians who are deeply committed to your success supporting them every step of the way.

To find out more about starting treatment with a NOCD Therapist, you can book a free 15-minute call with our team. We accept many major insurance plans to help make treatment more affordable, and during your call with us, we can discuss your options, answer any questions you have, and match you with a licensed OCD-specialty therapist so you can start reclaiming your life.

We specialize in treating OCD

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