Haley

Secretary
(she/her)

Haley is in her first year of law school. She was diagnosed with OCD at age 7 and dermatillomania at age 16. Knowing the importance of support and encouragement during OCD recovery, Haley has been inspired to give back to the OCD community. She runs an Instagram account chronicling her treatment experience, wrote a children’s book on anxiety for a service project, recently completed an undergraduate thesis on OCD and premature birth, and presented at the IOCDF conference this past summer. In her free time, Haley loves to play with her cats, work on her eBay store, read, and knit. She is thrilled for the opportunity to channel her passion for OCD/BFRB advocacy through volunteering for Not Alone Notes!

Lila Cueva

Jr. Secretary
(she/her)

Lila is a junior in high school who has been part of Not Alone Notes since 2020. She became involved because of her mother (Dr. Karan Lamb) who introduced her to this wonderful organization. She has learned about mental health and OCD and realizes how she wants to offer support and hope for those struggling with OCD.

Brie Godin

(she/her)

Brie currently works as a research coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Outside of work and in addition to Not Alone Notes she has been involved in multiple mental health advocacy pursuits and activities including special interest groups through the International OCD foundation and various social media spaces. Brie also enjoys art and music. She plays violin in multiple community orchestras and loves to crochet in her spare time.

Violet Talsma

(she/her)

Violet is a pacific northwest transplant – moving from Michigan to Washington to study a psychology at Western Washington University. She loves helping others and volunteers as a crisis counselor for the 741741 hotline as well as NAN! Violet also has a soft spot for snail mail, finding joy in both sending and receiving handwritten letters. Outside of her academic and volunteer work, she enjoys swimming, hiking, running, and watercolor painting. In the future, Violet hopes to earn a doctorate in psychology to help others facing various types of mental illness, specifically those with OCD and ASD!

Bronwen Evans

(she/her)

Bronwen discovered Not Alone Notes when she was looking for resources to help her manage her OCD and anxiety. She loves the creative and supportive community at Not Alone Notes and is extremely grateful to be part of their talented, compassionate, and enthusiastic team! A former volunteer for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Boston, where she helped with song circles, open mics, and other creative programming for those with anxiety and mood disorders, Bronwen continues her outreach through music as half of an acoustic duo that she formed with her partner. They love to perform at porchfests, open mics, and especially at events that support local mental health organizations. Donuts, velvety horse noses, cats, graphic novels, and kindness make her really happy.

Dr. Karan Lamb

(she/her)

Dr. Karan Lamb is a Florida licensed psychologist with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family, and group therapy. She received her doctoral degree from George Washington University. Karan has spent the past 20 years working with families with OCD and anxiety-related issues. She participates with several professional organizations, enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, photography and is a writer for Not Alone Notes.

Emerson

(they/them)

Emerson is a work in progress who loves plants, animals, inorganic chemistry, words, glitter, and stickers. Emerson takes on the world with their service dog, Peppercorn, at their side. They graduated with a degree in chemistry and art in 2023 and are currently busy being a chemist in Michigan, though they are originally from North Carolina. They love snails as a representation of their chronic illness, OCD, autism, and disability story. Emerson loves going for short walks with their partner and learning as many new things as possible.

Kaitlyn

(she/her)

Kaitlyn is a thoughtful and sensitive person who spends most of her time tending to dog mom duties and working as an occupational therapist. She received a Not Alone Note early in her OCD journey and immediately knew that she wanted to be a part of this talented community. She loves creative expression through writing, making art, and dancing. Kaitlyn finds comfort in dog snuggles, time in the sunshine, and conversations that acknowledge our shared humanity.

Alex

(they/he)

Alex is finishing up their college degree in Marketing Communications in Fall 2024. They have a passion for art and storytelling and enjoy using them to advocate and express their feelings. Alex was diagnosed with OCD along with autism and anxiety at a young age but didn’t begin to see the complex ways OCD effected their life until they were 18. Alex really enjoys being a NAN writer to help spread positivity and hope and to remind everyone they are not alone. In their free time, he enjoys playing guitar, writing, dancing, singing and petting as many dogs as he can.

Kira Long

Kira Long lives in Southern Indiana with her husband of 11 years and four fur-babies (3 dogs, 1 cat). She is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Photography and Graphic Design. She is the Director of a Genealogy Database non-profit, and also helps run and maintain a local House Plant Swap group. She is affectionately known as a “plant-lady,” with her collection of over 100 house plants, and also enjoys arts and crafts of all varieties. Kira is very passionate about sharing her OCD / Panic Disorder story to help anyone else who might be struggling to feel less alone.

Hannah

(she/her)

Hannah is a travel, cat, and language learning enthusiast who is passionate about mental health and education. She loves writing letters and considers them an art form and a meaningful expression of support. Hannah is excited to be a part of the Not Alone Notes team where she can share words of encouragement and bring a sense of comfort to others.

Wen Arellano

(she/her)

Wendy Arellano is a journalist and former pro fighter, who has written about combat sports, gender roles, sexuality and mental health. You can read her most recent work in the LA Times in Español. She is committed to helping those without access, especially within the Latino community, where information in Spanish is often limited. She has not opened up about her OCD, until now.

Olivia Cyr

Olivia Cyr is a 17 year old high school student who has had OCD most of her life. After seeking intensive treatment when 12 years old, she discovered a passion to help encourage others with OCD. She was a leader of a yahoo support group for teens with OCD for 2 years with over 500 members. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a degree in social work and work in a clinical setting to help those with mental illness. Olivia works with Not Alone Notes by helping create, write, and send cards.