“I have been treating OCD since 2014. I feel quite fortunate to do this work and love treating OCD and OCD related disorders. One of my colleagues says she loves treating anxiety disorders most out of all psychiatric conditions because it’s common to see improvement. I have found that to be true for me as well, whether it’s OCD, panic, phobias, or general anxiety.
All people have anxiety to varying degrees, and we all have thoughts and feelings we dislike that can be hard to tolerate. The principles of exposure therapy, cognitive therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy are useful for everyone to varying degrees and at varying times.
The current pandemic has repeatedly taught me lessons about my own tolerance for uncertainty, staying in the present moment, tolerating what I cannot change and focusing on what I can, and focusing on my values instead of getting hijacked by thoughts or feelings.
I am grateful and enthusiastic about OCD South Carolina. I hope together we can improve the availability of evidence-based treatments and strengthen the support network within South Carolina.” – Dr. Virginia Cooper