NW Anxiety Institute

Matt Neely

4 months ago

First, let me say that my daughter never received care from NWAI. We were waitlisted. Then given surveys and forms to fill out. I was also told to jump through a bunch of insurance hoops. Eventually, they just ghosted me. Maybe their care is great, but their admin is very poor, based on my experience.

Jayden Becker

a year ago

A PSA for Queer/Trans Folks and Marginalized Communities Seeking care here: If you’re queer, trans, or part of any marginalized community seeking therapy for OCD, please read this. My recent experience at the NW anxiety institute left me feeling violated, dismissed, gaslist and unheard—everything therapy shouldn't be. I had been working with a therapist at the clinic for almost a year after switching several times to find someone who could help me navigate my hardest OCD themes. It took me months to build the trust needed to finally bring up these deeply personal and difficult themes. However, when I did, it became clear that my therapist lacked trauma informed care, understanding of queer and trans language and experiences via comments and questions. I decided to switch to a therapist with a shared queer identity, hoping for better shared understanding. This decision was difficult but felt intuitive and grounded in my lived experience, not my OCD. I communicated this clearly, set boundaries, and requested a referral to someone who shared my identity. I clearly communicated my decision, set firm boundaries, and emphasized that I didn’t owe a detailed justification for it and asked if he could refer me to someone with more shared identity in the clinic. He agreed and said he would get back to me. When he called, he disregarded my boundaries. What should have been a straightforward referral update turned into an invasive, inappropriate 15 minute conversation. Instead of supporting me, he questioned my decision and even compared my preference for a queer therapist to a cancer patient not needing an oncologist who has had cancer. This comparison was irrelevant, offensive, and deeply hurtful—especially as someone who lost a parent to cancer as a teenager. He also weaponized my OCD, using it to make me second-guess my clear and thoughtful decision. The interaction was retraumatizing and profoundly lacking in trauma-informed care. The call ended with him telling me he could not tell me if there were any queer therapists at the clinic....which was the entire purpose of the call. After this bizarre conversation I talked with the clinic director to leave feedback. He told me their practice doesn’t disclose whether therapists are queer...making it very hard to intentionally seek shared-identity care. He also shared that he was not very familiar with queer issues or language because their focus is primarily on OCD. As a queer, trans person living with severe OCD, this response was very disappointing. It highlighted a lack of understanding that being queer or trans is often deeply connected to mental health and OCD experiences. This clinic is one of the few in Portland offering ERP therapy for OCD that also accepts OHP insurance. Finding specialized OCD care is already challenging—finding care that is also affirming, trauma-informed, and covered by insurance feels nearly impossible. Queer and trans people deserve better. Clinics offering ERP for OCD—especially those serving marginalized communities—must do better to support clients with respect, knowledge, and accountability.

Molly

2 years ago

It was the hardest thing I've ever done, I hated every moment while I was in it, and I dont regret it for a second. The focus program was literally life changing for me. I went from an anxious hermit who couldn't leave her house, couldn't shower, and couldn't eat due to OCD to living a normal life. I couldn't recommend this place more

elin kordahl

5 years ago

Lifesavers. Thank you for your science-based approach to improving/solving mental health issues. Grateful.