Meet the Ick Team
Rev. Dr. Katie O'Dunne
Founder & Director
Rev. Dr. Katie O'Dunne is the proud founder and director (aka "Chief Ick Officer") of Stick with the Ick. She is a chaplain who works at the intersection of faith and scrupulosity/OCD. Katie supports clinicians seeking to understand theological nuances in the development of culturally responsive treatment, helps clergy offer spiritual support without reassurance, and encourages individuals navigating OCD to reimagine treatment as an opportunity to connect with their faith.
When she isn't doing faith and OCD work, you can find her:
running, hanging out with her cats, or competing in Hyrox!
In addition to leading SWTI, Katie is the consultant on religion for OCD Institute Texas and leads the International OCD Foundation's Faith & OCD Leadership Circle. Based on her work reimagining Exposure and Response Prevention as a spiritual practice across religious/spiritual traditions, Katie was the recipient of the Doctor of Ministry Award for Distinction in Integrative Care Practices at her recent Vanderbilt graduation. Prior to her work with faith and OCD, Katie was ordained in the United Church of Christ and spent 7 years serving as the Academy Chaplain and the Pauline and R.L. Brand Jr. ’35 Chair of Religious Studies at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. While serving in this role, she also served as a consultant on interfaith programming for schools around the country.
Maryam
Head of Community Strategy & Analytics
Ick Mod Squad Maryam is the Head of Community Strategy and Analytics at Stick with the Ick. She is a mental health moderator, community strategist, and organizational consultant with a background in psychology, human resource development, and education reform. She has been deeply involved in digital mental health support since 2019, with a special focus on global peer-to-peer communities. Maryam serves as a Community Manager and Risk Moderator at TalkLife and TalkCampus, digital platforms supporting over 3.5 million users navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, and other mental health concerns.
She works to ensure these spaces remain safe and inclusive, responding to high-risk content, collaborating with safety teams, and championing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. Outside of TalkLife, Maryam has worked across Pakistan, the UK, and the Democratic Republic of Congo with organizations spanning education, nonprofits, fashion, and FMCG. Her work has always centered around people—whether through HR consulting, coaching, or community building. She holds an MBA and a certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology (UK). At Stick With The Ick, Maryam serves as a moderator and community manager, creating space for fellow Icksters and fellow peer supporters to connect, reflect, and grow. Her dream is to help create online spaces that feel like soft landings—where people can show up as their whole, messy selves and still be met with care.
Connect with Maryam by sending her a message today. She'd love to hear from you!
Dr. Emily Bailey
Resident Ick Psychologist & Resilient Support Group Host
Dr. Emily Bailey is the Resident Ick Psychologist & Resilience Support Group Host at Stick with the Ick. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Georgia and through PsyPact. She is the founder of Atlanta OCD and Anxiety Treatment, LLC. Dr. Bailey obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Mercer University. Currently, she provides individualized, evidence-based treatment for children, adolescents, and adults with OCD, OCD-related disorders, anxiety disorders, parenting related challenges, and other life stressors.
She has specialized training through TLC’s Virtual Professional Training Institute for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors and in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions). Dr. Bailey is passionate about helping her patients achieve a more meaningful, satisfying, and valued life. In addition to therapy, Dr. Bailey is an assistant professor at Oglethorpe University in the psychology department, where she teaches and engages in research about social anxiety disorders and attentional disengagement, therapeutic alliance, treatment-seeking behaviors, and parental influence on child psychopathology.
When she isn't doing faith and OCD work, you can find her:
getting dragged to country concerts by Katie,
sitting by a bonfire making s'mores, and drinking coffee.
Connect with Dr. Emily at our Resilience Support Group. This group focuses on post-treatment accountability and stepping toward everything meaningful during difficult parts of the OCD journey. You can join as a part of the Ick Community Plan.
Katie White
Sacred Spark Spiritual Discernment Consultant, Living Beyond The Loop & Christian Affinity Support Group Host
Katie White is the Sacred Spark Spiritual Discernment Consultant, Living Beyond the Loop Support Group Host, Christian Affinity Group Host at Stick with the Ick. She is a 2023 graduate of the Candler School of Theology, where she earned a concentration in Religion and Health. Katie is currently on the path to becoming ordained within the United Methodist Church. Since graduating, Katie has been serving at Atlanta CBT, a private practice mental health office in Atlanta, Georgia. In her role, she assists individuals seeking mental health care by connecting them with therapists within the practice or guiding them to resources elsewhere. Additionally, she provides administrative support to the eight therapists in the practice, ensuring smooth operations and client care.
Katie has a deep passion for exploring the intersections of religion, health, and science. Her experiences at Emory University and Candler School of Theology shaped her belief in the power of intentional relationships and the value of storytelling. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Katie believes that attending to the whole self—mind, body, soul, and spirit—helps individuals become their best selves. Her professional background is rooted in ministry and church leadership. She has served at seven local United Methodist Churches, collaborated with more than a dozen faith-based non-profits, and led groups spanning ages 2 to 100. Katie’s ministry has included walking alongside families through moments of celebration and grief, offering a calming presence and compassionate listening. Katie’s dream is to creatively integrate faith and mental health advocacy, creating spaces grounded in love, self-compassion, and resilience. She remains committed to supporting others in their journeys toward wholeness and well-being.
Connect with Katie at our Living Beyond the Loop Support Group. You can also connect with our at the Christianity & OCD - Sacred Circles Affinity Group. There, you can connect with others from your faith tradition to reflect, share, and find support in navigating the intersection of faith and OCD. You can join either offering as a part of the the Ick Community Plan. You can also meet with her 1-1 for a Sacred Spark Session.
Alyssa Muehmel
Sacred Spark Religious Trauma, OCD Consultant, & Religious Trauma Support Group Host
Alyssa Muehmel is the Sacred Spark Religious Trauma & OCD Consultant and Religious Trauma Support Group Host at Stick with the Ick. Rev. Alyssa Muehmel is a hospital chaplain working in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She earned an M.Div from Western Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America. She completed her Clinical Pastoral Education at Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan health system. She lives with OCD and is passionate about promoting spirituality as part of a thriving life with OCD, particularly for those who have had negative religious experiences in the past. She lives with her partner, Kelsey and enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and watching too many Tik Toks.
When she isn't doing faith and OCD work, you can find her:
out in nature seeing animals, trying new restaurants, and watching documentaries.
Connect with Rev. Alyssa at our Support Group on Healing from Religious and Spiritual Harm. You can join as a part of the the Ick Community Plan.You can also meet with her 1-1 for a Sacred Spark Session.
Rabbi Noah Tile
Sacred Circles: Jewish Affinity Group Leader
Rabbi Noah Tile is the Sacred Circles: Jewish Affinity Group Leader at Stick with the Ick. He is a Registered Psychotherapist, Rabbi, and Co-Founder of Resolvve, a Canadian low-cost mental health organization. In his private practice, he specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety and ADHD, and provides clinical supervision. He helps people in their search for meaning, purpose, and connection. Noah is passionate about integrating spirituality with mental health and is part of the International OCD Foundation’s (IOCDF) Faith and OCD Task Force, working alongside Jewish and interfaith leaders and practitioners around the world to create positive change.
When he isn't doing faith and OCD work, you can find him:
playing hockey and swimming in open waters with binoculars to immerse in the colors underneath,
having deep and hilarious conversations with loved ones, and dancing and playing with his little boys.
Connect with Rabbi Noah at our Judaism & OCD - Sacred Circles Affinity Group. There, you can connect with others from your faith tradition to reflect, share, and find support in navigating the intersection of faith and OCD. You can join as a part of the Ick Community Plan.
Mubeena Mirza
Sacred Circles: Muslim Affinity Group Leader
Mubeena Mirza is the Sacred Circles: Muslim Affinity Group Leader at Stick with the Ick. She is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in the treatment of OCD and Anxiety Disorders. She received training in the treatment of OCD at the UCLA OCD Intensive Outpatient Program. She is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporates mindfulness-based practices, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, into treatment. She is involved in the IOCDF Faith and OCD Action Council and advocates for OCD awareness in the Muslim community. Mubeena is based in Redondo Beach, California.
When she isn't doing faith and OCD work, you can find her:
spending time with family, in the mountains, or at the beach!
Connect with Mubeena at our Islam & OCD - Sacred Circles Affinity Group. There, you can connect with others from your faith tradition to reflect, share, and find support in navigating the intersection of faith and OCD. You can join as a part of the Ick Community Plan.
Dr. Caitlin Claggett Woods
Sacred Circles: Catholic Affinity Group Leader
Dr. Caitlin Claggett Woods is the Sacred Circles: Catholic Affinity Group Leader at Stick with the Ick. She is a clinical psychologist in Ottawa, Canada whose practice focuses on the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders. Dr. Claggett Woods created and facilitates a GOAL support group and provides consultation and training to students, therapists, and clergy. She is a faculty member for the IOCDF's Training Institute, a member of the IOCDF's Faith & OCD Action Council, and a director of Changing Minds, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to evidence-based mental health care. She is passionate about advocacy and guiding her clients' recovery through values and a strong sense of humor.
When she isn't doing faith and OCD work, you can find her:
playing with her son, going out to trivia night, or watching The Pitt with her husband!
Connect with Caitlin at our Catholicism & OCD - Sacred Circles Affinity Group. There, you can connect with others from your faith tradition to reflect, share, and find support in navigating the intersection of faith and OCD. You can join as a part of the the Ick Community Plan.
Elizabeth
Operations Consultant
Elizabeth is the Operations Consultant here at Stick With The Ick. She is an operations consultant and community strategist who specializes in creating structured, people-centered systems. Her work sits at the intersection of organization and human experience, designing processes, workflows, and community spaces that are both functional and deeply responsive to the individuals within them. Elizabeth has a strong passion for the mental health space and is driven by a commitment to improving and optimizing the user experience.
With a background in content creation and storytelling, EA brings a thoughtful, nuanced approach to how mental health is discussed and understood. She is particularly interested in making these conversations more specific, relatable, and grounded in real, lived experience. Outside of her operations work, she spends her time writing songs and poetry, and developing creative projects that reflect the same curiosity and care.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, and originally from Brooklyn, New York, she considers both places home. More often than not, you’ll find her with a good book, a cozy sweatshirt, and with something caffeinated in hand.