Bethany Burton

I had some personal struggles. I've experienced depression and panic attacks. I had some postpartum obsessions and fears, which involved some compulsive checking. I have experience with loved ones with substance use disorder. I got help from a great therapist. It made me want to do the same thing and give back in the same way.

Before coming to NOCD, I worked with people who had OCD, and I felt like I wasn't making progress with them. I knew I was missing something. Then I received training in ERP and realized, “this is what I've been missing.” I started off as one of those therapists who was treating people with the wrong approach, and I wasn't really able to help them. That's what got me to specialize in OCD and stick with it. I like this type of therapy, and I like seeing people make progress.

Depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, trauma. I've worked with severe mental illness, as well as with the general mental health population.

It's going to require a commitment—a time commitment and a commitment to being uncomfortable in order to reach our goals. It's going to be hard, but very quickly it can become worth it. Very quickly. ERP is extremely effective. Part of the reason is that OCD involves more than just thoughts—you're not just thinking, you're actually doing something different. That's why ERP is so effective, even in a telehealth model. You're practicing behaviors, and when you change your behaviors your mind follows. It's powerful. You're not just talking about what you're going to do - you're actually doing it.

We can do many things to help you get to that point of trust. You can write down your thoughts. You can type them out to me if you can't say them out loud. Sometimes, we share less distressing thoughts first. You can also share some intrusive random thoughts that you've had in the past to normalize that experience. My personal experience has expanded my concept of “normal.” It allows me to be very matter of fact about mental health. Mental health issues do not come as a surprise to me. That has made me more open, empathic and compassionate. And with that comes understanding.