Tara Wight

This work has always made sense to me. Even while I was working in vastly different jobs after college, deep down I knew I belonged in the mental health world. I love that who I am as a person doesn’t need to be shelved when I sit down to work. I love being in service of other people, connecting with people, and constantly learning new things. I have benefited from the judgment-free spaces therapists provided for me, so it feels good to pay that forward and provide the same for others.

The first time I encountered OCD as a therapist, I was intimidated. When my supervisor encouraged me to study and utilize exposure response therapy, I was stunned by how effective it was. Just explaining the concept of ERP to individuals with OCD was enough to start the domino effect of relief from cycles of obsession and compulsion. This work requires a real understanding of the mechanisms of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, so I'm thankful to work at an organization that has high standards for training and education. Behind each therapist you work with at NOCD, there is an entire team whose shared goal is to ensure you get the best care possible.

I’ve worked with individuals and couples from their 20s to their 40s, hailing from a variety of backgrounds. Much of my focus has been on anxiety, depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. As a person experiencing life, I’m interested in ideas around shame, social connection, grief, belonging, and acceptance of uncertainty. You’ll hear that last one come up a lot in ERP therapy.

ERP and other behavior-based treatments are interactive and collaborative, and require time and attention outside of therapy sessions. This work can be challenging, but it's no more challenging than what you’ve likely experienced as a person living life day-to-day. The safety behaviors we develop with anxiety and OCD typically provide short-term relief with the cost of long-term discomfort. With ERP, you’ll be faced with some uncomfortable feelings. Over time, that short-term discomfort often leads to long-term relief.

Just know that this is your space. I’m here in service to you. I’m a human, too. I experience intrusive thoughts and uncomfortable feelings. I understand how scary it can feel to share those with another person. My hope is that I can provide an environment where you can feel OK existing exactly as you are. I’ll never ask you to do anything you’re not willing to do or to share anything you’re not comfortable sharing. The goals of therapy may sound lofty at times, but we take them one step at a time. All we need to focus on is that next step.