A few years after attending several support group meetings with a family member who is an OC sufferer, my husband, Jullian, and I came to the conclusion that a new group affiliate of the National Obsessive Compulsive Foundation in Conneticut would be beneficial in our state of New Jersey. The National OCF welcomed the idea, but needed impose certain geographical limitations, which limited our influence and representation to Central New Jersey.

After much effort, we incorporated as a nonprofit organization, and published our first Newsletter in the Spring of 1999, followed by our first meeting. Although we were warned by the National OC Foundation not to expect more than one half dozen or so people at this initial meeting, we were elated when a total of 42 people showed up! This further strengthened our conviction that a New Jersey Affiliate would be helpful to sufferers and supporters alike.

Our affiliate holds quarterly meetings which are free and open to the public. Each meeting allows for the opportunity to socialize and have refreshments, and features a professional speaker with a particular expertise in the research, assessment, and/or treatment of OCD. Past speakers have included Dr. Jonathan Grayson of the Agoraphobia Treatment Center in Philadelphia, as well as Dr. Fred Penzel of Western Suffolk Psychological Services on Long Island. Both men are on the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Obsessive Compulsive Foundation and are internationally known authors.

The New Jersey affiliate publishes a quarterly newsletter ,which comes out approximately six weeks prior to each quarterly meeting. The newsletter has grown from a single sheet to 16 pages, and always includes information about the most recent and upcoming quarterly meetings, including directions to the meeting place, a professional directory, and articles submitted by both professionals and laypeople. We are always in search for persons interested and willing to contribute articles to our newsletter!

Since our formation we have been instrumental in aiding in the formation of an additional OC support group in Summit and have sent psychologists to various educational systems. We have an active help line.