Rough time getting started in therapy

Man, that is incredibly frustrating. I’m really sorry that you’re dealing with that. My first session actually starts on August 11th. That was the soonest that this particular provider could meet and interestingly enough I had to book basically all of my appointments for the remainder of the year with her just to make sure I was secure a spot on her schedule. That is something actually that I had to do, it wasn’t something that NOCD told me. I think that would definitely help their processes quite a bit and people just like you and me! I cannot say that I’ve been in the same boat since I haven’t started meeting with my therapist yet, but it is exhausting to tell your story just once lol If I were in your shoes, this is what I would do. I would contact the NOCD. I would try to find a provider that is available to meet in the next two months and book with that provider two times a week for the first month, then once a week after that for the remainder of the year. In the meantime, you can continue to see your therapist that you were going to try. Hopefully it works out really great then you can just cancel this other one. I actually was also in the Marines, and have been working with the VA for the past four months to try and find a provider in network that specializes within an OCD and I may have found one lol hopefully I will have a consultation with them soon, but in the meantime, I’m on the books with NOCD. The VA definitely won’t pay for NOCD since they are out of network. One thing that I’ve had to do in the meantime is I’ve actually had to own my own recovery. I’m working with a great therapist right now, but she’s not really an OCD specialist. It can be really frustrating because I want that higher level of care right now and I want the support throughout the week. I have actually used AI as well during this waiting. And it has been incredibly helpful as well as the many articles on the NOCDs website. I really recommend the book also brain lock by Dr. Schwartz. He’s had Ben a few different tools that I’ve used in the waiting. Hopefully, you’ll get in with a specialist real soon that is consistent with your schedule and worth the money paying out-of-pocket. Semper Fi!

I just had the same issue when I restarted therapy a few months ago! Third therapist was the charm, but finding one that works with your schedule is tough. I will say, I felt like I was wasting money/time and then I promise you all of a sudden 2 months in I was like oh where did my Intrusive thoughts go? I expected them to show up for this trigger, And then slowly it improved from there. I would reach out to the support team like ^^^ suggested, wishing you the best of luck!

Talk to support at NOCD and tell them what happened - maybe they can help you navigate getting a consistent therapist?

I’ve run into a similar issue and have had a few weeks where I’ve only had 1 session as a result. Are they giving you the option to only have 1 session and keep your therapist? I always aim for the 2 sessions a week but some weeks it just isn’t possible with mine and my therapists schedules. I supplement the therapy with support groups and messaging my therapist if needed the weeks I only have 1 session. I hope you’re able to find something that works! This therapy has been life changing for me already and I want every OCD sufferer to be able to get it!!

I had a struggle in the beginning & I contacted member services & we got it worked out. I even messaged w my now therapist before our session & asked her how long she'd been working for them.