Deanne Johnson

As long as I can remember, I've attracted people who need help. People naturally gravitate toward me for that reason. And I've always felt comfortable providing that help. The most gratifying part of my job is being able to see members grow, to see them get happier as the days go on. They become a lot more functional, and you get to see their true personalities as they start to heal.

A friend of mine suffers from OCD. Firsthand, I got to witness how difficult it was for him. I really wanted to learn more about OCD and how to help people regain their functionality. ERP is very effective. It is very concrete, which I love—you can actually see tangible results and watch a person develop from day one. It is one of the most effective forms of therapy I've worked with in my career.

Trauma and anxiety, particularly trauma in inner-city youth. Throughout my experience, I have learned that anxiety often comes as a result of trauma.

The work you put in—your commitment to therapy—is what determines the outcome of treatment. As long as you're fully present for sessions, and your homework is being done consistently, you will see improvement.

Please let me know. Don't be afraid to express that you feel afraid to share thoughts with me. If I don't know that, there's not much I can do. But if I do know, I can work to help you feel safe and able to share your concerns.