Simone Totoro

When I was 5 years old, I had my first panic attack on the way to the dentist. It was a horribly uncomfortable feeling I can still recall many years later. I knew that inheriting panic disorder was going to be a journey. From a young age, I wanted to help others going through the struggles of OCD and anxiety.

As a person who has been there, I am very empathetic to your feelings. The most gratifying part of my job is witnessing someone's “a-ha” moment. Sometimes the smallest steps in the right direction ends up being the biggest steps of your life.

Through the years, I've worked in the areas of addiction, anxiety, and depression. For the past five years, I've been involved in AAT (animal-assisted therapy). My Labradoodle Stevie has joined me in several sessions to help create a relaxing therapeutic environment.

Your journey is important! As a former educator, I take pride in educating my members about OCD and ERP. We go at your pace! This is a collaborative experience. Working together is paramount.

Realize that this is a very “normal” feeling. Therapy is your safe place to share without judgment. I have been in your shoes before, and it takes time to share without judgment.