I am learning a new treatment for OCD called Inference Based CBT.

And, I HATE learning new things.

I don’t like the time it takes. I don’t like the energy it takes from me. I don’t like feeling vulnerable. And I don’t like how it triggers my social anxiety—and the voice that says, “I look stupid compared to everyone else who is learning this.”

And I’m doing it anyway.

Why?

I value helping my clients with OCD.

So, I began my journey with Inference Based CBT.

This journey is fascinating and one I do not regret.

In the beginning, it felt like a foreign language and made absolutely no sense. I kept reassuring myself that I am a really competent ERP therapist, so I didn’t need to learn a new approach.

Yet, I ordered the book. I joined the Inference Based CBT Facebook Group. I got brave and started asking questions there.

But my social anxiety showed up, and I felt stupid. I stopped reading.

Then, I had a struggling client who reminded me that I owed it to them to find the best treatment. My motivation to lean into my discomfort arrived!

I knew I needed accountability, so I signed up for peer discussion and consultation groups.

As I read more, asked more questions, and shared Inference Based CBT with my clients and colleagues, my anxiety waned.

Then one day, I realized that I got it! I’m beyond excited about this extension of CBT and its potential to help clients.

I have more confidence to share it others.

In learning Inference Based CBT, I’ve realized this journey is much like every other important growth point in my life: going to school, starting a practice, and creating Anxiety Training.

I wish I could take out the initial resistance. But maybe that is part of the process?

It feels so good when it all begins to make sense, and I can be in the flow.

I am more resilient because I choose to do hard things and climb over the reason for not doing them.

This is what we ask of our clients. Isn’t it?

Sit with us, feeling vulnerable, and wanting to feel better. They are exhausted from fear, compulsions, and the energy required to learn something new. And we invite them to do the work anyway.

My favorite part of my work with clients is when they begin to get it. I can see their brains integrating the new information and generalizing the concepts outside of our session into their real life. They are courageous for sticking with the process of learning evidence-based treatments for anxiety and OCD.

I am proud of all of you, as well, because you have been on your own learning journey with Anxiety Training.

We created an Anxiety Training Community to support your continued learning. After taking our CBT for Anxiety and OCD, we hope you will join the Anxiety Training Community so that we can continue to teach you and be a part of those moments where it all comes together and you say, “I get it!”

And soon, Anxiety Training Community Members will have exclusive access to our Inference Based CBT Training.