About OCD Midwest
At OCD Midwest, our roots are deep in both professional expertise and personal experiences, making us uniquely positioned to address OCD's challenges.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/648b6b61914e88ded3ce124d/6594411020a2bf9fe9055b0b_about%20hero.png)
Years of Dedication and Impact
We Started
The very first OCD Midwest Chapter Meeting took place at the IOCDF conference in Chicago in 2012. Rodney Benson met Robin Ross at that meeting. When the group was asked what they most wanted the organization to do, several people said they wanted professional consultation. Rodney turned to Robin and said, “You know nobody is going to do that, right? Do you want to do it together?” To Rodney’s surprise, Robin said yes. Rodney and Robin launched the first meeting case consult meeting that fall.”
First OCD Consult meeting
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First OCD walk
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First Hoarding Task Force Conference
This conference is part of OCD Midwest's expanded focus on addressing various aspects of OCD, including hoarding.
Present State
Marking current achievements and setting the stage for future initiatives.
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Our Vision:
A World Informed About OCD
Our values drive us.
Our values drive us. We believe in providing accurate information, showing heartfelt empathy, and maintaining the highest ethical standards.
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Integrity
OCD Midwest stands as a beacon of integrity, steadfastly upholding ethical principles and transparency in every action and initiative
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Compassion
With profound compassion at its core, OCD Midwest offers a nurturing environment that understands and empathizes with the struggles faced by individuals with OCD.
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Knowledge
Grounded in extensive knowledge, OCD Midwest provides evidence-based resources and learning opportunities, empowering those affected by OCD with critical information and support
Meet The People
Behind OCD Midwest
Our board comprises dedicated professionals and advocates, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and a heart full of passion to our mission.
![Blair Famarin, LCSW](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/659d66747ef277a67b4625be_Blair%20Famarin.jpg)
Blair Famarin, LCSW, works in Business Development at Menninger. She is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with mental health professionals and treatment facilities in the Midwest. Before coming to Menninger, Blair worked for nearly a decade at Rogers Behavioral Health and was a therapist on the southside of Chicago.
![Gabrielle Faggella, LISW-S](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/66d1d971d96236f53da3313f_Gabrielle%20F..jpg)
Gabrielle Faggella, LISW-S, is a clinical social worker and owner of Palladium Counseling Group in Akron, OH, and has devoted her practice exclusively to the assessment and treatment of OCD and the Related Disorders, including Hoarding Disorder and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and has advanced training in cognitive and dialectical behavior therapies, motivational interviewing, and is a graduate of the International OCD Foundation’s (IOCDF) Behavior Therapy Training Institute, and The Professional Training Institute of The TLC Foundation for BFRB's.
![Mike Sizemore](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/659d680aa55274692856103d_Mike%20Sizemore.jpg)
Mike began with OCD Midwest in 2019. He is passionate about advocating for effective treatment, education and access to resources for individuals with OCD and their families. He has lived experience with OCD and lives in Ohio with his wife Michelle and their cats.
![Annie Jaworska, MBA, LCPC, CADC](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/659d66c2a28f3956c9e145d5_Annie%20Jaworska.jpg)
Annie serves us as Regional Vice President – West at Embark Behavioral Health. Annie leads a high-performing outreach team based in California that is focused on connecting children, teens, young adults, and their families to mental healthcare throughout the US.
![Nicole Bosse, PsyD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/65cb955f4b8d599b9c5585f9_Nicole%20Bosse%20Mount.jpg)
Dr. Bosse is a staff psychologist and a member of the OCD and Anxiety team at the Lindner Center of HOPE. Dr. Bosse provides psychological services for outpatients and individuals staying on the two residential units, Sibcy House and William’s House. Her area of expertise consists primarily of Exposure and Response Prevention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
![Kerry Curran, LCSW](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/65cb940630e49bd0c20bfac7_Kerry%20Curran.jpg)
Kerry Curran is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of clinical experience and is currently a Director with the Depression and Anxiety Specialty Clinic of Chicago (DASC). She is a Certified Diplomate with the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (A-CBT) and utilizes evidence-based practices, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention(ERP), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
![Brock Maxwell, MA, LCPC](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/659d6733d3c9513837f4c62b_Brock%20Maxwell.jpg)
Brock Maxwell, MA, LCPC, is an Executive Director of operations at Rogers Behavioral Health overseeing PHP/IOP clinics in a variety of locations. Brock earned his master’s degree in Counseling from Boston College and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Taylor University and is licensed as a Clinical Professional Counselor(LCPC) in the state of Illinois.
![Elle Skelton, BC-TMH, LCPC](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/66c4b9037d9c87c10c6b68d9_Elle-City%20Cut.jpg)
Elle Skelton is a Licenced Clinical Professional Counselor. She has worked at a PHP/IOP level of care in IL and TN, and now is the Founder and Therapist at her outpatient practice, Self-Empowerment Counseling. Elle Skelton is a Licenced Clinical Professional Counselor. She has worked at a PHP/IOP level of care in IL and TN, and now is the Founder and Therapist at her outpatient practice, Self-Empowerment Counseling. Elle supports patients across 5 states including FL, IL, KY, OK, and TN in treating OCD, Anxiety Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Tourettes/Tics. She is a regular attendee at IOCDF conferences and volunteers at the IOCDF Kids Camp.
![Darlene Davis Goodwine](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/65cf9cc8a719bcbd740cd1ca_648b6b61914e88ded3ce12b8_Placeholder%20Image.png)
![Jon Bommarito](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/66421fa8bcea04b9aa0a8823_Jon%20Bommarito%20-%20Board%20Member.jpg)
Jon has lived experience living with OCD, which lead him to become an Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter.
![Desiree Untch, LISW-S](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65959829d8c6d85089e1eda6/66421f7d85ba4861bbd660f0_Desiree%20Untch.jpg)
Desiree is a clinical social worker at Palladium Counseling Group located in Akron, Ohio, and specializes in the treatment of OCD and the related disorders.