Becoming an OCD Conqueror represents a life-changing milestone for NOCD Therapy Members: a significant reduction in the severity of their obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. This improvement can open the door to possibilities that once felt out of reach, like being fully present in their most valued relationships, regaining self-confidence, and living a life that’s no longer limited by fear and shame.
These transformative outcomes are no coincidence—they’re the direct result of our members’ courage, strength, and resilience; our therapists’ dedication to helping people regain their lives; and our extensive process for vetting, training, and testing each NOCD Therapist before they ever meet with a single member.
To recognize the life-changing care our therapists provide and the incredible accomplishments of the members they serve, we’re introducing you to three NOCD Therapists who’ve walked alongside hundreds of our members during their recovery journeys: Thelma Rivera, Ruthie Brooks, and Gary Vandalfsen. Reflecting on the transformations they’ve witnessed, they’ve revealed the powerful lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Thelma Rivera, MSW, LCSW
How does it feel to have helped over 100 people become OCD Conquerors?
It’s incredibly gratifying to support and guide people who are struggling with OCD through the journey of taking back control from this debilitating condition.
How did NOCD’s training and support prepare you and help you reach this milestone?
NOCD has strengthened my skills as a therapist and my knowledge of OCD through extensive specialized training and numerous opportunities to demonstrate my application of the training before I started seeing Members. The support I’ve received during my onboarding and time in practice has been nothing but outstanding with quick response times, outstanding leadership, and a shared focus on achieving successful outcomes.
How do you create a safe and supportive environment for people starting ERP therapy?
I try to create a safe environment by sharing my professional experience with the symptoms they’re struggling with, as well as my personal journey and challenges with OCD.
What’s one of the most meaningful moments from your time treating OCD?
One impactful moment that stands out in my mind was treating a pregnant mother of two who had been affected by OCD for most of her life. After we had worked together for some time, she told me that she was finally able to be the wife and mother she always wanted to be, no longer living in a permanent state of anxiety and fear. She also expressed how much she was enjoying time with her newborn—something she felt she was unable to experience with her first two children because of OCD.
Ruthie Brooks, MS, LPC
How does it feel to have helped over 100 people become OCD Conquerors?
It’s so humbling and it feels amazing that the bond I develop with the Members I work with has the ability to instill hope and develop a set of lifelong skills for managing OCD. One of the most powerful moments I witness in my therapy sessions is when a member realizes that there is hope, that there is something they can learn about OCD, and that they can take steps to reclaim their life.
How did NOCD’s training and support prepare you and help you reach this milestone?
NOCD’s approach to training us to treat OCD is one of the most comprehensive and inclusive approaches I’ve experienced in all my years of clinical practice. The training and ongoing education I receive here support me in providing highly personalized, evidence-based treatment, and the guidance from the clinical leadership team ensures I have all of the tools, support, and resources I need to provide the best quality care to our members.
How do you create a safe and supportive environment for people starting ERP therapy?
In my first session with a member, I always offer them the opportunity to ask me anything they would like to know about me, with the hope that this helps them feel more comfortable in therapy. During this initial session, I focus on understanding the circumstances that brought them in for therapy. I know how difficult OCD can be, so I listen without judgment and validate the impact their current symptoms are having on their quality of life. I also give them an explanation of what their personalized treatment plan is going to look like and how we’re going to work together to help them manage their symptoms.
What’s one of the most meaningful moments from your time treating OCD?
To me, the most meaningful and powerful moments are the times when someone discovers they have the power to take their life back and OCD’s grip on them loosens. I enjoy seeing their excitement and watching them reclaim the parts of their life that were previously consumed by OCD, like when one of my members was able to reenter the workforce after being housebound and confined to their bedroom for years because of OCD. There are so many other moments like this, which brings me back to saying how humbling of an experience it is to get to be a part of people’s treatment journeys.
Gary Vandalfsen, Ph.D., LP
How does it feel to have helped over 100 people become OCD Conquerors?
Of course, I feel some pride in the number of people I’ve helped develop skills for managing OCD, but when I think of each individual life involved, I feel a far deeper sense of gratitude for having the opportunity to walk alongside so many people as they learn how to change their lives for the better. I can think of nothing else I’d rather do!
How did NOCD’s training and support prepare you and help you reach this milestone?
I came to NOCD with a fair amount of previous therapy experience, but the extensive specialized training in OCD and exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy that I’ve received here has given me a deep understanding of OCD and helped me grow immensely as a therapist. The ongoing education, consultation, and support from our clinical leaders have allowed me to continue growing even more and reach this milestone.
How do you create a safe and supportive environment for people starting ERP therapy?
I always remind myself of the risk that each person is taking just by being there in therapy with me and saying things they might never have said before. OCD can feel so real and I know how troubling it is when intrusive thoughts make you question everything about yourself. In the moments when my members share their experiences with me, I’m very focused on meeting them with empathy and compassion, while offering hope.
What’s one of the most meaningful moments from your time treating OCD?
There are so many, but one that I’ll never forget is watching a member go from being paralyzed by contamination fears to being able to be completely present and nurturing to their newborn child (even with the blowout diapers).
Expert care to help you conquer OCD
When you work with a NOCD Therapist, you’ll learn how to take the power away from OCD in an environment where you can share even the most challenging or disturbing intrusive thoughts without judgment. You’ll receive care designed specifically for OCD that’s been proven to be the most effective treatment—ERP therapy—and a one-of-a-kind treatment plan, carefully tailored to your unique experience with OCD.
The lives Thelma, Ruthie, Gary, and our many other expertly trained NOCD Therapists have been able to impact are proof that this highly personalized, evidence-based approach can lead to life-changing results.
If you’re ready to take your first step toward conquering OCD, you can book a free 15-minute call with our team to find out more about starting specialized OCD therapy with a NOCD Therapist. 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.