Evidence-Based Therapy for OCD and Anxiety Disorders in California
If you’re feeling stuck in patterns of OCD, panic, anxiety or trauma, therapy can help you regain a sense of confidence and direction. My therapy approach is compassionate, structured, and goal-oriented. I provide a supportive space where you can learn practical tools to feel better and create meaningful change in your life.
What to Expect in Therapy
Most clients attend therapy weekly to build momentum and reach their goals efficiently. I offer:
- Traditional 50-minute sessions
- Extended 80- or 110-minute sessions
- More frequent sessions when clinically helpful
We’ll choose a format that best supports your needs.
Assessment - The first few sessions will involve an assessment so that I can get a thorough understanding of your current problems and concerns, as well as your history and background. We will work together to decide goals for treatment and develop a specific plan that is tailored to your unique needs.
Tools - I utilize evidence based tools throughout treatment (CBT, ERP, I-CBT, CPT, Mindfulness) and clients also complete an assessment tool on a weekly basis to evaluate how well the therapy is working. We will discuss progress towards your goals throughout therapy, and make modifications to our focus or approach as needed. At the end of every therapy session, we will come up with a plan for how to practice the skills you learn in session.
Family Support - Anxiety and OCD often affect loved ones. When appropriate and with your permission, I may invite family members or partners to participate in 1–2 sessions to reduce unhelpful accommodations and improve support. Loved ones will be taught more helpful ways to support you.
I am trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), an evidence-based program that helps parents respond effectively to a child or adult child’s anxiety or OCD.
Relapse Prevention - Towards the end of our therapy journey, we will focus on Relapse Prevention. We will come up with a personalized plan to address slips or setbacks you may encounter once you complete therapy.
Therapy Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is based on the theory that unhelpful thoughts and behaviors cause and maintain problems with mood. Research studies have shown CBT is an effective treatment for:
- Generalized anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Chronic stress
CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. You’ll learn how to:
- Identify unhelpful thinking patterns
- Change your relationship to distressing thoughts
- Reduce avoidance behaviors
- Build skills that support your long-term goals
CBT is present-focused and practical. Rather than only discussing problems, we focus on learning tools you can use immediately in your daily life.
Specialized Treatment for OCD
If you are struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you need treatment that is specifically designed for OCD. I provide specialized OCD treatment using:
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is considered the gold standard treatment for OCD. It involves gradually facing feared situations while resisting compulsions, helping your brain learn that anxiety decreases naturally over time.
Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT)
I-CBT targets the reasoning process that fuels obsessional doubt. Instead of focusing only on exposure, we work directly with the thinking style that drives OCD.
These approaches are integrated with mindfulness and self-compassion strategies to help you respond to obsessive thoughts thoughts in a healthier way.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps you change your relationship with distressing thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations so they have less control over your life.
Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or uncomfortable emotions, ACT teaches you how to:
- Make room for difficult internal experiences
- Reduce struggle with unwanted thoughts
- Clarify what truly matters to you
- Take meaningful action aligned with your values
ACT is especially helpful for anxiety disorders, OCD, chronic stress, and perfectionism. It complements Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) by helping you build psychological flexibility — the ability to move forward even when discomfort is present.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re looking for evidence-based therapy for anxiety, OCD, or mood concerns in California, I invite you to reach out. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so we can discuss your concerns and determine whether we’re a good fit.
