IOCDF Advocate and Grassroots Programs | International OCD Foundation

IOCDF Advocate: A structured, two-year commitment for deeper involvement and leadership in advocacy efforts.Both programs aim to empower individuals to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support the OCD community!

IOCDF Grassroots Advocate: Flexible, open to all, and focused on self guided, ongoing actions.

Want to become an IOCDF advocate?

Become an IOCDF Advocate

The IOCDF is now accepting applications for new volunteers at least 18 years old to share their voices and make a difference as an IOCDF Advocate. If you are passionate, collaborative, energetic, comfortable sharing your lived experience, and willing to dedicate your time to this important program, we encourage you to apply today!

Being an IOCDF Advocate is a two-year volunteer commitment that provides opportunities to engage in outreach efforts, awareness campaigns, special interest groups, mentorship opportunities, events, fundraising, and more.

The IOCDF Advocate program empowers and equips volunteers to share their personal stories with the goal of transforming lives by connecting with others, reaching diverse populations, and breaking down the stigma and barriers faced by those within the OCD and related disorders community.

The program is designed to be a positive and rewarding experience, offering meaningful opportunities for growth, collaboration, and impact.

Ready to Become an IOCDF Advocate?

Apply today

Want to become a grassroots advocate?

There are so many ways for you to raise awareness for OCD and related disorders. IOCDF has created several different resources and tools for you to help you get started on your advocacy journey. For those interested in joining the Advocacy Program, we invite you to sign-up as an IOCDF Grassroots Advocate. Once you join the program as a Grassroots Advocate, you will receive action items that include invitations to participate in IOCDF Advocate-led projects and events. We invite you to learn more about our Advocacy Program and to check out the resources available to help you raise awareness in your own unique way:

Everyone is invited to become a Grassroots Advocate!

Each month, our IOCDF Advocates will reach out to Grassroots Advocates via our Advocates in Action e-Newsletter, including challenges, projects, and ways you can join them to work together and make a big impact. Examples of Action Items may include:

Participate in online (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) social media campaigns
Participate in on-site “calls to action" (e.g., conference-based projects)
Participate in coordinated national events (e.g., One Million Steps For OCD Walks, OCD Awareness Week events)
Contribute to a blog or newsletter feature

Become a Grassroots Advocate!

Meet The IOCDF Advocates

IOCDF Advocates are dedicated leaders in the OCD community and serve as a point of contact for those within their community.

Looking for the policy advocacy program? Click here.

The IOCDF Advocate Program is a volunteer effort designed to empower those in the community to raise awareness and educate the public about OCD and related disorders.

Valerie Andrews

IOCDF Advocate

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Valerie Andrews is a retired schoolteacher and full-time wife, mother, and grandmother. Following her OCD diagnosis in 2011, she began advocating in hopes of bringing awareness and inclusion within her own community and communities of faith.

Today, she spends the majority of her time focusing on her new nonprofit (msmablesparrows, Inc) a nonprofit for women of age, color, and faith. Her goal is to continue working as an IOCDF Advocate and promoting change.

Tom Smalley, MS, CMPC, CSCS

IOCDF Advocate

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Tom Smalley is the founder of Struggle into Strength Performance, LLC. He is a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. Tom received his Master of Science in exercise and sports science from Merrimack College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Siena College. Tom was diagnosed with OCD in 2014 at the age of 16 and shortly after became passionate about spreading awareness about what real OCD is in an effort to break down the wall of stigma. Tom was the recipient of the 2019 IOCDF Hero Award. He speaks at the annual OCD conferences along with different schools around the Northeast. He has also appeared on a variety of blogs and podcasts as well.

In January 2021, Smalley co-founded the Anxiety in Athletes initiative**—a** task force and online resource center with the help of the IOCDF in an effort to break down the stigma around mental health in athletics.

Smalley has a strong passion for weightlifting and began competing in 2021, eight years after his mental health forced him to put a halt to his athletic career. He is a USAW adaptive division 2x gold medalist.

Chris Trondsen, MS, LMFT, APCC

IOCDF Advocate

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Chris Trondsen suffered from undiagnosed, severe OCD, BDD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety and panic attacks beginning as a young child. It was not until his early 20s that Chris received both a formal diagnosis and specialized treatment.

Once in recovery, Chris began advocating publicly for mental health and shared his story of recovery on TV, including the Dr. Drew Show, the Montel Williams Show, and NBC, as well as in various newspapers and websites including Buzzfeed and VICE. Additionally, Chris began speaking at Annual OCD Conferences, including giving the keynote with his mom at the 2011 conference. He also helped start the Young Adult Track at the annual conference.

Coming full circle, Chris now treats individuals with OCD and BDD as a licensed therapist at The Gateway Institute in Costa Mesa, California. He earned his undergraduate degree from California State University, Long Beach in psychology and human development. He earned his master of science (MS) degree from California State University, Fullerton.

He also currently serves as the Vice President of OCD Southern California, an official affiliate of the IOCDF, is a leader of the IOCDF's BDD and LGBTQ+ Special Interest Groups, and a member of the IOCDF Board of Directors. As an IOCDF advocate and leader of the advocate advisory council, Chris's passions include expanding BDD awareness and education, addressing LGBTQ+ issues in mental health treatment, and expanding the IOCDF's services to the young adult community.

Micah Howe

IOCDF Advocate

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Leslie Arturi

IOCDF Advocate

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Leslie stepped away from a long and successful corporate career. She went back to school to obtain her master’s degree in clinical social work to help children with anxiety-related disorders. It’s important for Leslie to help these kids—because she was one of them herself. She was diagnosed with emetophobic OCD at the age of 8 but has been in "remission" for over 15 years. Leslie has volunteered and participated in various IOCDF programs for over 12 years. Outside of the IOCDF, she is featured in the Deconstructing Stigma campaign produced by McLean Hospital and an upcoming Austrian documentary film on OCD. Leslie credits the amazing IOCDF staff for encouraging and supporting her on her journey to becoming a clinical social worker. She is focused on starting her new career and helping children struggling with the pain, frustration, and uncertainty that can accompany anxiety disorders. It’s her mission to let them know there is hope and they are strong enough to come through the other side. Leslie is currently a licensed social worker at Manhattan Psychiatric Center, a state hospital for the severely mentally ill in New York City. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, and in her spare time loves to go out to dinner with friends, see live music, and snuggle with her cats.

Chris Baier

IOCDF Advocate

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Chris Baier is a parent of a teenager with OCD living in Brooklyn, NY, so he understands the struggles parents and young kids go through on a daily basis dealing with this disorder. Over the past few years, he’s used his affiliation with producing UNSTUCK: an OCD kids movie to advocate for those with OCD and their families around the world. Chris has spoken at mental health conferences, created OCDeconstruct, a global digital OCD Conference, and hosted OCD Kids Speak Out, a monthly live stream show. You can connect with him on Twitter/Instagram @baierman.

Justine De Jaegher

IOCDF Advocate

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Justine De Jaegher is a Canadian living with OCD, having been diagnosed at the age of 20. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she now resides in Ottawa, Ontario with her wife. She is a co-facilitator for her local GOAL support group and is involved in two IOCDF Special Interest Groups (SIGs) - the faith and mental health and LGBTQ+ groups. Justine works in political action for a Canadian labour organization and is an advocate for progressive social and economic policies. She holds a BA in Economics and Political Studies from the University of Manitoba and an MA in Public Administration from Carleton University. She is dedicated to expanding access to evidence-based mental health care by reducing stigma around mental illness and removing financial barriers to care.

Molly Fishback

IOCDF Advocate

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Molly Fishback is a teacher and co-founder of Not Alone Notes. She became an OCD Advocate by co-founding Not Alone Notes in 2017. Not Alone Notes started as a little project to send others with OCD notes to remind them they aren't alone, and now it has grown into a non-profit! Not Alone Notes allows Molly to use her creativity to help others and show them that they aren't alone with their battle with OCD and related disorders. When not teaching or advocating for mental health awareness, Molly makes art, listens to podcasts, and hangs out with friends. Read more.

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Tracie Ibrahim

IOCDF Advocate

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Tracie Ibrahim is an OCD treatment specialist of over 20 years, and has lived experience having OCD since childhood, as well as raising kids with OCD. Tracie works for NOCD as their Chief Compliance Officer and Therapist. Her passion for advocacy comes from her own unfortunate experiences growing up with misdiagnosed and mistreated OCD for decades, until finally finding ERP treatment which was life changing. Tracie’s favorite things to discuss include taboo themes of OCD which she hopes will help spread awareness and reduce the associated stigmas with these highly misunderstood OCD themes.

Andrew GottWorth

IOCDF Advocate

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Andrew GottWorth is a Kentuckian living in Berlin Germany with his wife and two cats. He is an educator, volunteer, and Disc Golf Trainer. He leads the IOCDF International Networking and Advocacy Group, and has started OCD walks in Berlin, Ireland, UK, Austria, and Poland. He has experienced anxiety, depression, and OCD most of his life, only receiving treatment for anxiety and depression in college in 2009, and an OCD diagnosis and treatment much later in 2018, when no longer able to work due to its effects. With being undiagnosed and “under-diagnosed” for so long, he is a big advocate for explaining all forms of OCD, especially for young people. He is also an avid rock climber, disc golfer, and soccer player and hopes to bring mental health awareness to athletes, especially by breaking down traditional masculine views when it comes to mental health. He hopes to combine his background in academia and research with a love of nonprofit work and volunteering in order to bring evidence-based best practices to the most vulnerable.

Hakim Rahman

IOCDF Advocate

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Hakim Rahman (pseudonym) is a mental health advocate from Bangladesh who lives with OCD. His journey has been shaped by the deep social stigma and abuse he has faced because of his condition — experiences that have often denied him basic dignity. These challenges have driven him to speak out, raise awareness, and advocate for the rights of people with OCD and others living with mental illness. Hakim is committed to building a society where mental health is treated with compassion, respect, and justice.

Note: Due to safety concerns in Bangladesh, I advocate under the pseudonym 'Hakim Rahman.' My story reflects real experiences, though some details are protected. Thank you for honoring this precaution.

Darcy Howell

IOCDF Advocate

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Darcy is a current graduate student getting her M.Ed. in Special Education. She is passionate about making education accessible to all and hopes to use her degree to pursue being a Kindergarten teacher in an integrated classroom. Her passion for OCD Advocacy comes from her own experience with OCD and sharing her story at IOCDF conferences. When she is not teaching or advocating, she enjoys creating art, baking, and playing with her pet rats!

Jessie Birnbaum

IOCDF Advocate

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Jessie Birnbaum is a Staff Clinician at the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety. Having grown up with OCD herself, she was inspired to pursue a career helping others with the disorder. She holds a BA in Psychology from Wake Forest University and an MSW from Boston University.

Jessie co-leads the IOCDF Young Adult Special Interest Group and co-founded the Chronic Illness/Disability SIG after recognizing a lack of resources for this community. Living with multiple chronic illnesses, she is passionate about creating inclusive spaces, including free online support groups for individuals with complex chronic conditions.

Katy Marciniak

IOCDF Advocate

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Katy is currently a stay-at-home Mom, who previously worked as a speech and language pathologist. Katy's OCD onset around the age of 12, but she did not receive a diagnosis until over a decade later. After finally receiving the appropriate treatment, she began to share her story via her blog Navigating Uncertainty. She has also been a guest on mental health podcasts, and shared her experiences through the IOCDF newsletter, blog, and conference. She is passionate about normalizing mental health and increasing awareness about OCD.

Kyle King

IOCDF Advocate

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Kyle King is a current senior at Yale University studying neuroscience. Since recovering from OCD himself in middle school, Kyle has been heavily involved in OCD advocacy work with the International OCD Foundation, currently co-leading the Young Adult Special Interest Group and co-hosting the monthly Research Roundtable livestream. Kyle also has worked as a research assistant at the Yale OCD Research Clinic for four years. Outside of OCD, Kyle has been a vocal mental health advocate both with UNICEF USA and the Early Childhood Peace Consortium.

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Leigh Sheppard

IOCDF Advocate

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Leigh Sheppard (she/her) is an Australian medical doctor, neurodivergent leader, and passionate OCD advocate with lived experience. Diagnosed in 2022 after 30 years of symptoms, she became committed to driving change in OCD-informed care. In 2023, she founded OCD Western Australia, which became an IOCDF Global Partner the following year.

Blending clinical insight with a solutions-focused mindset, Leigh is known for uniting others around bold ideas and creating inclusive spaces of belonging. Outside of advocacy, she enjoys coffee, pilates, creative pursuits, and time with loved ones.

Kim Quinlan

IOCDF Advocate

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Kimberley Quinlan is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California and the founder of CBTschool.com, an online mental health education platform. Specializing in anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and body-focused repetitive behaviors, she provides one-on-one treatment and online courses for those who are struggling in these areas. Kimberley is the author of The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD and the host of Your Anxiety Toolkit Podcast, a podcast listed by The New York Times as one of the top 6 podcasts to calm your anxious mind, provides compassionate, science-based based tools for anxiety, OCD, depression, and BFRB’s. Kimberley is known for her vibrant, compassionate, and mindful approach to mental health issues and is an expert presenter for various conferences such as the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Conference, Trichotillomania Learning Center Conference, and Los Angeles County Psychological Association Eating Disorder Interest Group.

Krista Reed

IOCDF Advocate

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Krista is a mental health clinician in Wichita, KS who specializes in OCD, BFRBs, and BDD. Krista was diagnosed with OCD and Excoriation Disorder in 2007 and struggled finding help in her community. During this challenge, she herself became trained in treating OC and other related disorders. Krista is an advocate in her community for proper treatment and education about OC and other related disorders. In 2021, she founded the ICT OCD Alliance, which is a grassroots alliance group of therapists who treat OC and other related disorders. The focus of this alliance is to spread awareness in the Wichita community so sufferers can find help sooner and get the proper treatment they deserve. Krista also provides presentations in her community to end the stigma of these disorders.

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David Kedeme

IOCDF Advocate

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David Kedeme was diagnosed with OCD after struggling with various subtypes, including relationship OCD, contamination OCD, and pure OCD. With support from family and therapy, he learned to manage the disorder—despite its daily challenges and the stigma surrounding mental health. Now a full-time neuroscience research specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, he studies how cells recycle materials. David aims to become a physician-scientist to advance OCD research, improve treatment pathways, and help others feel less alone in their journey.

Morgan Rondinelli

IOCDF Advocate

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Alex Rosenberg

IOCDF Advocate

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Alex was diagnosed with OCD when he was 10 years old and just graduated from high school. He has been an active advocate from an early age, including putting together his own educational fliers on OCD for distribution at his school. At one of his first Annual OCD Conferences, he sought out IOCDF National Advocate, Ethan Smith, to ask how we could do more to make sure everyone could get treatment. Now, Alex serves as an incredibly active and positive IOCDF Advocate, with a particular commitment to the Foundation’s faith and OCD initiatives. Alex is a leader in the Faith and OCD Special Interest Group (SIG), and he never misses a meeting. He has spoken on multiple IOCDF livestreams on the integration of his Jewish faith with treatment while utilizing Jewish texts and his collaboration with his rabbi. Alex was also a speaker at the 2022 Faith and OCD Conference, the 2021 Online OCD Conference, and the 27th Annual OCD Conference.

Łukasz Czajkowski

IOCDF Advocate

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Łukasz Czajkowski, 38 years old, living in Poland. I first experienced symptoms of OCD when I was 10. After over 20 years, I was officially diagnosed in November 2023, following a particularly difficult three-year struggle with ROCD.

I began therapy immediately after my diagnosis. In December 2023, I also started a meme page. My wife and I have an agreement not to talk about my OCD at home, so the page became a space for me to express what I was feeling.

Now, I use it to educate others and raise awareness—because I truly believe that together, we can make a difference, change the world, and help people feel less alone.

Maya Tadross

IOCDF Advocate

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Maya is a lived-experience advocate, researcher, and soon-to-be clinical trainee of OCD and related disorders. She was diagnosed with OCD at 14 and later ADHD at age 21, and through treatment and recovery has become an advocate for others living with these disorders. In 2020, she co-founded and led the first support group for students affected by OCD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating in 2023, she worked as a clinical research coordinator in Dr. Jon Abramowitz's Stress and Anxiety Lab studying perinatal OCD and depression. Maya has enjoyed providing her unique perspective as someone with both lived and research experience of OCD on research dissemination projects like the University College of London's OCD and the Brain online toolkit. In Fall 2024, Maya will begin pursuing an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with the eventual goal of utilizing evidence-based practices to best help individuals living with OCD and related disorders.

Erica Wang

IOCDF Advocate

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Erica experienced her first encounter with OCD when she was 12 years old. She wouldn't receive a diagnosis until she was 27, after OCD clung onto her relationship. Eventually, Erica decided to share her learnings from therapy with others who struggle with OCD and anxiety, and has been a guest on various podcasts and channels, including Special Books by Special Kids and FearCast Podcast. Erica also hosts a podcast called Just Say Maybe, which features stories of mental health journeys from everyday people.

Mackenzie Reed, RN

IOCDF Advocate

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Mackenzie Reed is a Registered Nurse and advocate of the IOCDF who, in 2019, experienced an onset of OCD symptoms—which she would later learn were the result of emotional contamination OCD.

For two years, Mackenzie was isolated to her bedroom where she found herself entering her home solely through her bedroom window and unable to access the remainder of her house.

Following treatment, Mackenzie now works to advocate for those living with the disorder through her blog, “Obsessively OCD,” and as president of newly founded IOCDF affiliate, OCD Delaware.

Mackenzie is passionate about the intersection of emotional contamination and compulsive hoarding and hopes that in furthering awareness of hoarding behaviors, individuals will be met with less judgment and more understanding.

Tyler Falcoa

IOCDF Advocate

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Tyler Falcoa is the dynamic host of Please Excuse My OCD, a podcast that blends humor and empathy to spark open conversations about life with OCD. A former music producer and artist, Tyler has worked with brands like NYX Cosmetics, Amazon, and Charlie Puth. As a mentor with Superpower Mentors, he supports youth with learning differences, and he's currently pursuing a master’s degree to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Through his podcast, music, and advocacy, Tyler empowers others to face OCD with honesty and hope.

Shaun Flores

IOCDF Advocate

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My name is Shaun Daniel Carl Flores, UK-based and 28 years old. I am a mental health activist
and advocate especially for those with OCD. My OCD diagnosis earlier this year turned my
world upside down. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation were my companions for a series
of months. I now have turned my pain into my passion. I am passionate about increasing
awareness of OCD and having more people from ethnic communities speak about their OCD.
OCD was the worst thing to ever happen to me. I vow to continue being the worst thing to
happen to OCD.

Caroline

IOCDF Advocate

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Caroline is a recent college grad from Boston, MA and looks forwards to pursing her Masters in Social Work at Simmons University this fall. Caroline recently finished a Post-Baccalaureate Clinical Fellowship with McLean Hospital working with adolescents at the inpatient level of care. Caroline has been working with the IOCDF for 6 years including membership on their conference planning committee for children and adolescents, interning with their events team, and is now an IOCDF advocate. Some of Caroline’s other advocacy projects included serving for Not Alone Notes as well as starting, Stick With It, a company that advocates for mental illness through art.

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Jonathan Clark

IOCDF Advocate

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Jonathan Clark is an OCD advocate and Public Information Specialist based in Rockland County, New York. With a firm belief in the power of storytelling to inform and impact lives, Clark has translated his two-decade career in news radio – featuring an Executive Producer role at CBS News – to the field of school communication, now working for Rockland BOCES. Clark is an avid fitness enthusiast, multi-time marathoner, and two-time Ironman finisher. He also nurtures a love for music through drums and concerts. Clark is a proud husband to Bridget and father to their teenage daughter, Madeline.

Kyra Cheung

IOCDF Advocate

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Kyra Leyi Cheung is a Neuroscience and Cognitive Science student at Rice University and a research assistant at The Storch Lab, Baylor College of Medicine. Kyra was diagnosed with OCD in 2018 at the age of 13 and is dedicated to helping others who are affected by the disorder. She is actively involved in the IOCDF and is the founder/president of CommonGround, an organization that provides support for individuals with OCD and related disorders. After graduation, Kyra plans to pursue a law degree and participate in policy development and advocacy efforts to improve mental health care and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Summer Contreras Lemmon

IOCDF Advocate

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Summer Contreras is a Certified Peer Support Specialist living in San Diego, CA. Summer grew
up with OCD, she but wasn't diagnosed until age 18 and didn't seek proper treatment until age
22, after her mother - with whom she was very close - passed away from cancer. Since then,
she has been a passionate advocate for those with OCD and related disorders so others don't
suffer the way she did. Summer has a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University
of Arizona and hopes to specialize in treating OCD. She regularly speaks to a public health
class about her mental journey and advocates through her blog and social media. She is
currently writing a memoir. Outside of advocacy, Summer likes to play the Pokémon Trading
Card Game competitively and enjoys reading, writing, and mathematics.

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Megan Remer

IOCDF Advocate

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When asked to describe herself, Megan Remer begins with roles like daughter, sister, aunt, and friend—not with OCD. But after eight years on the recovery journey, her favorite OCD-related title is advocate.

Her path has taken her from residential treatment at Rogers Behavioral Health in Wisconsin to the OCD Institute in Houston, and eventually back to her home state of Minnesota. Each step moved her closer to a life no longer defined by OCD, and today she proudly tells others, “This disorder doesn’t have to define you—there’s so much more to life, my friend.”

Megan is passionate about faith and OCD, access to evidence-based treatment, and the power of willingness. She’s honored to be part of the IOCDF Advocate community.

Alie Garza

IOCDF Advocate

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Alie Bernard Garza, LCSW, is a clinician with the OCD Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz and holds an MSW from the University of Washington in Seattle. She has worked in a variety of clinical roles including youth mental health, mobile crisis response, suicide prevention, and IOP, PHP, and residential treatment for OCD and anxiety-related disorders in Oregon, Texas, and Colorado. Alie has lived experience with severe OCD and is an advocate with the International OCD Foundation. Alie has lived experience with severe OCD that went misdiagnosed/inadequately treated for 15+ years and is passionate about mental health advocacy, especially demystifying higher levels of care and destigmatizing ‘taboo’ themes. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Adrian, and two adorable (but demanding) Chihuahuas, Teddie and Perrie.

Jana Hahn

IOCDF Advocate

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With a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University in Interdisciplinary Studies (specialties in psychology, communications, & theatre arts), Jana is passionate about utilizing an individual's unique story to provide peace of mind about OCD. From her personal
experience, she advocates the message that “pain has a purpose” in the state of TN and beyond. As a previous Walt Disney World cast member, she is pursuing performing arts in Nashville and has a current profession as a marketing coordinator. In her free time, she is
actively involved in the Miss America Organization promoting mental health advocacy.

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Stacey Black

IOCDF Advocate

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Stacey Black is a dedicated advocate and proud mom of a young adult living with OCD and other complex mental health challenges. Since her son’s diagnosis in 2016, she’s immersed herself in learning and advocacy—what she jokingly calls a triple major in whack-a-mole, advocacy, and navigating complex healthcare systems.

The IOCDF became a lifeline for her family, and in 2025, she joined the Advocate Program to help other families feel seen and supported. Stacey co-leads Nova Scotia’s first OCD Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Group and has been nominated to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division. Professionally, she is a senior marketing and communications leader passionate about mental health and community building.

Erika McCoy

IOCDF Advocate

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Erika McCoy is mom of two, wife, and curator of the Creative Expression SIG with a big heart for advocacy in our faith spaces. She has lived experience of OCD, C-PTSD, MDD, and a TBI. She first started experiencing signs of OCD at 6. Despite being in the mental health system since a teen she didn't receive appropriate diagnosis till 25. Her mission is to bring advocacy into action through STEAM, help people find a sense of wholeness through the intersection of creative expression and faith across the globe, and bring hope and healing by spreading awareness to the general public.

Brooke Miller

IOCDF Advocate

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Brooke Miller, a Registered Nurse and mental health advocate, is determined to revolutionize the way we perceive mental health. Sharing her personal journey through her blog, podcasts, and speaking engagements, Brooke raises awareness, increases access to resources, and fights against stigmas. Her own struggles with OCD, Anorexia, Bipolar II Disorder, and Panic Disorder fuel her mission to positively impact the mental health community. As a wife and mother of children with mental health challenges, she offers support and solidarity to other families. Brooke finds joy in exploring the outdoors, traveling, and dancing. Connect with her on social media @brookemillermha to experience her unwavering support. Together, let's smash stigmas and embrace a future where mental health is celebrated.

Allie Mills

IOCDF Advocate

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Allie is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles, CA. She was diagnosed with OCD at 19 years old but
struggled to find effective treatment until many years later. Finding the correct treatment was
life-changing for Allie. She is passionate about helping others find hope in the face of a
debilitating disorder. Her goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding OCD, from day-to-day
conversations to media representation. In her spare time, Allie loves hanging out with her dog,
Ripley.

Angelika Aziz

IOCDF Advocate

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My name is Angelika Aziz. I have lived experience with OCD and body-focused repetitive behaviours. I am very passionate about reducing stigma concerning OCD and mental health.

I hold a BSc in Psychology: Brain and Cognition from the University of Guelph and I am currently enrolled in a MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Toronto. I have a strong passion for patient and public engagement, humanitarian affairs, neuroscience, equity- and community-based research, accessibility design, and more.

My experiences include supporting patient-oriented research, knowledge mobilization, health design and most importantly, fostering meaningful and long-lasting connections with diverse communities.

Emily Berk

IOCDF Advocate

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My name is Emily Berk. I live in Pennsylvania where I am earning my MSW degree in hopes to one day provide proper treatment to those dealing with OCD. I was diagnosed at age 21 when my life took a frightening turn. Since then, I have dedicated myself to spreading awareness and sharing hope. I am currently an intern therapist and facilitate 2 different OCD support groups each week. I proudly serve on the board of OCD Pennsylvania in order to spread awareness within my state and community. I love to use social media to talk about my story with OCD, talk to others about mental health and their stories, and I also love coffee!

Malena Dell

IOCDF Advocate

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Malena Dell (she/her) is a sign language interpreter at a community mental health center. She has lived with OCD since she was 14 years old. Since treatment, she has made a point to share her experiences with others in hopes that others with intrusive thoughts do not hide and feel ashamed, but realize help is possible and available. She is also excited about the opportunity to do OCD advocacy work on a larger scale with a focus on media involvement and public awareness.

Josef Doctorovitz

IOCDF Advocate

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Mikayla Eckerdt

IOCDF Advocate

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Mikayla Eckerdt is a dedicated OCD advocate, mother, and wife who brings nearly three decades of lived experience to her mission of breaking the stigma surrounding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Receiving a diagnosis at age 29, Mikayla lived with undiagnosed OCD since childhood. She understands firsthand the profound impact of late diagnosis. She is currently working toward her peer support specialty, driven by a passion to cultivate compassionate spaces and ensure that others receive early diagnosis and support. Her work focuses on sharing her story to encourage open conversations, challenge misconceptions, and foster a more understanding community for those battling this complex condition.

In her free time, Mikayla is a singer-songwriter and lover of all books. She can usually be found in her home library with a good story and a cup of coffee.

Camila Gallas

IOCDF Advocate

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Camilla Gallas was diagnosed with OCD at the age of 14 and later with PMDD at 23. She is a Brazilian writer (author of books about mental health), a nursing student, and a volunteer within the Brazilian OCD community. In 2023, she joined the IOCDF as a Grassroots Advocate.

She has always shared her personal journey on social media (Instagram: @camillagallas), unafraid of judgment. Over the past ten years, Camilla has realised how deeply the OCD community needs support in many different forms. This awareness has strengthened her empathy for those who often feel invisible to the world. Through this journey, she has found motivation and purpose in her role as an IOCDF Advocate.

Additionally, Camilla is passionate about journaling, social connection, humanised care, and active listening. She sincerely hopes to continue increasing her positive impact within the Brazilian OCD community and around the world.

Briana Godin

IOCDF Advocate

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Brie Godin currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin and works in research administration at the University of Wisconsin. She was diagnosed with OCD in childhood, but became involved in support groups and advocacy initiatives after experiencing mental health challenges in college. Her passion for advocacy was further fueled by her experience working at an inpatient mental health facility.

Brie's involvement in the OCD community has led to a number of opportunities including serving as a writer for Not Alone Notes, presenting at online and in-person OCD conferences, and volunteering as.a coach for Fearless Family Camp, the only overnight camp in the country for children with OCD and related disorders.

Brie is also passionate about music and her faith. She plays violin in multiple community orchestras and is involved in ministry and service projects through her local church community.

Natasha Moharter

IOCDF Advocate

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Natasha Moharter is a licensed counselor and OCD specialist. Drawing from both personal and professional experience, she is dedicated to increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and helping individuals and providers better recognize and understand OCD.

She has a private practice based in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she provides Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy to clients in Nevada, California, Washington, New Mexico, and Vermont. In addition to her clinical work, she offers continuing education trainings and consultation on OCD for mental health professionals.

Charlotte Peachey

IOCDF Advocate

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Charlotte Peachey is a UK based OCD advocate, continuing with her Psychology undergraduate degree with The Open University. She recently completed a one-year Undergraduate award Certificate in Cognitive Psychology with the University of Cambridge which really deepened her understanding of her lived experiences with OCD. She has struggled with OCD since early childhood, but it was during her inpatient admission to a specialist OCD Psychiatric hospital unit in London that enabled her to finally move forwards with her life. Prior to her admission in 2022, she started an Instagram account @ocd_will_not_rule_me to share her personal experiences with OCD, advocate and raise awareness of how debilitating it can be, and also to reach out and remind others who may be struggling that they are not alone.

Having been bullied about her OCD and her struggles with anxiety and depression, she became a Mental Health First Aider and advocates that mental illness is just as important as physical illness. When transitioning back into the community once leaving hospital she started volunteering with various charities and organisations, including the IOCDF’s annual Online OCD camps since 2023 which she loved! She still volunteers with the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Medicinema, Riding for the Disabled, and has been very lucky to have volunteered with blink mental health which provides mental health support at festivals across the UK. This combination of volunteering and opening up about her OCD has helped her to regain control from the restrictiveness of OCD at its worst. Animals have always been a big part of her life and she has been very lucky to have volunteered with various species ranging from dogs, monkeys, crocodiles, lizards, alligators, Galapagos tortoises, meerkats, dolphins, birds and rabbits in the meantime. They have always been a great source of comfort and have really supported and motivated her next steps forward. She really enjoys supporting both people and animals, and is working towards completing her degree as part of this goal.

Mourice Schuurmans

IOCDF Advocate

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Mourice Schuurmans is the founder of ObsessLess and has lived with undiagnosed, severe OCD, anxiety, and panic attacks since childhood. For years, he battled misdiagnoses, limited access to proper treatment, and the stigma that kept him silent.

When he finally reached recovery, he faced another fight as months of waiting, high treatment costs, and a lack of accessible care made getting help feel out of reach. As an entrepreneur living with OCD, Mourice decided to change that. He founded ObsessLess to make first-line OCD care accessible and affordable for anyone who needs it.

He now uses his platform to share the raw, unfiltered reality of OCD and to challenge the misconceptions that keep people from getting help.

Mourice is on a mission to make evidence-based OCD care reachable for everyone and to prove that recovery should never depend on privilege or luck.

Yann Lana

IOCDF Advocate

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Yann Lana is an activist and volunteer in Spain committed to raising awareness and supporting people affected by OCD. He is currently a board member of the TOC Zaragoza Association, where he actively participates in organizing activities, workshops, and educational talks on mental health.

He has also represented the association at international events, such as the 2024 Online OCD Conference, where he took part in a talk on stigma and access to OCD treatment in different countries. Additionally, he has collaborated with educational institutions such as San Jorge University and the University of Zaragoza, giving talks on OCD to psychology students, sharing his personal experience and promoting understanding of the disorder.

His work has been recognized for its impact on the community, highlighting his commitment to education and support for people with OCD.

Lisa Yannaco

IOCDF Advocate

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Lisa Yannaco was diagnosed with OCD at the age of 13 after a sudden and severe onset of symptoms. Lisa was fortunate to connect with a wonderful psychiatrist and ERP therapist who helped her take the necessary steps towards learning how to cope. Lisa credits her recovery to her mom, who having had OCD herself, was able to get Lisa the help she desperately needed. Lisa recognizes that her situation is far from universal, and now works to spread awareness about the realities of living with OCD and tries to empower others to access the mental health treatment they need and deserve. Lisa is a Certified Peer Specialist, has her bachelors degree in psychology, and plans to pursue a MSW in graduate school.

Megan Dailey

IOCDF Advocate

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Megan Dailey is an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina studying psychology. She has been a part of the IOCDF community since 2009 after she was diagnosed with OCD and PANDAS when she was six years old. Now, she is passionate about telling her story to help other kids suffering the same way she did. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school and get her PhD in clinical psychology so that she may continue helping children diagnosed with OCD. When not advocating or learning, Megan loves to read, hang out with her friends, and go on runs.

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