Hilary L. Zurbuch LPC

03/31/2023

Finley and I participating in Woodsdale Elementary, WV mental health day.

03/12/2023

Nice explanation!
Happy Sunday!

Sufferers of OCD experience extra difficulties when they want to act quickly and efficiently. In fact, they can end up...

10/25/2022

03/12/2022

“This might go against all your ideas of how you believe you can help your child.” This is the start of essentially everyone of my therapy sessions explaining Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
“It is going to feel awful for both you and your kid but time limited…..maybe”
I recently found a quote regarding Exposures,
ERP IS HARD, But so is living a world ruled by OCD! Choose YOUR HARD!
This could not be more accurate. Living with OCD sucks, whether you feel the urge to wash your hands constantly or the world will collapse and it will be on your shoulders or you can not walk 5 steps with out rewalking, maybe you can not sleep because you re-play the day until it feels “just right” in your head. Possibly you try one 20 outfits before one feels perfect which will mean the perfect day and then you can move on. Regardless of the sub-set, none is done out of enjoyment-rituals are completed out of sheer dread of what might happen if you do not complete them as the OCD describes.
Imagine being a parent and the therapist says “well no you can not tell them the world will not collapse if they do not wash their hands, but you can say hey anything is possible let's be curious and see what goes down.”
No doubt I love my being an OCD therapist, I see kids improve all the time. But I can not imagine being the newbie parent to OCD and hearing a trained professional provide statements that will not initially make my child feel better! Thankful I sit on the other side of the screen, with the knowledge that this is essentially the ONLY way for their child to improve as it is proven evidence based treatment, that has worked for me over the years.
Maybe the next time you want to label yourself as OCD because you have love to have order in your junk drawer, remember loving the order is not OCD. Now if you need the order or then _____ will happen and you feel like you are sliding on ice until you order and arrange the junk drawer would lean more towards OCD. It will never be helpful for the progression of decreasing stigma for mental health if you in jest label yourself as one of the most debilitating mental illness in the world.

When we got the green light to begin exposure therapy, I ignorantly celebrated. I had no idea that the experience would be traumatic for both of us.

02/14/2022

This Valentine's Day, show someone you love that you're thinking of them, and make an impact at the same time!
Make a donation to honor someone special, and we'll send them an e-card of your choosing. (Bonus: those who donate will receive an "I love someone with OCD" sticker.)
Your donation will help someone affected by OCD to live a full, productive life. Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at the IOCDF!
To donate, visit: https://bit.ly/3gEUuAO
Copied from the International OCD Foundation

When you make a donation in honor of someone special, you can choose a custom Valentine's Day ecard to be sent directly to them. All donors will also receive one of our very popular "I heart someone with OCD" stickers — while supplies last!

10/12/2021

Do you use self-compassion? It seems to be a hot phrase these days. Do you fall in the trap of sitting in the crap of your negative feelings and judge how horrible it may be, what if you said “yeah this is an awful feeling, but I can support myself the best way possible” Anyone can use self-compassion and may find it helpful, I tend to use the phrase “Do not sit in your s**t, because you are just going to become more anxious or sad. Action make a move, try different”.

08/10/2021

The updates in the office!

08/06/2021

Over 22 years ago, I sent an email to the IOCDF looking for treatment in WV or PA. I was directed to the OCD-IOP in Pittsburgh and that is where my adult story began. Driving through Oakland after a grueling 3 hours of exposures, I noticed a sign "Now accepting applications for the Counseling Program" within a week I was starting graduate school. Odd how things happen, if had not of been in the OCD-IOP I would never have found Carlow University where I earned my Master's in Professional Counseling. Not going to say it was a smooth ride to where I am today yet it was a journey that started with an email. I quickly became a member of the Pittsburgh affiliate, the friends I have met in that affiliate have been nothing short of amazing. 22 years ago the President of the IOCDF sent me a personalized card checking on me after she gave me the referral, that card was much appreciated as the continued support of members of the IOCF. As things moved full circle, I have been an OCD Specialist with OCD for over 18 years. Most that are reading most likely have been long standing members of TEAM HILZURB and with out my "team" most of what I have accomplished would not have been possible. THANK YOU! Donating to the IOCDF most likely will have impact in some fashion on an other "small town" young adult struggling to find appropriate treatment!Please join me in supporting the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and all those affected by OCD by making a donation to my fundraiser!The process is fast, easy and secure. Thanks so much for your support... and please don't forget to send this page to any friends you think might be interested in donating!

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