Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) Therapists in Walnut Creek, CA

I help people 18 and older manage exhausting emotions that torture, pressure them into knee jerk reactions, and make relationships difficult. Using evidence-based practical techniques, with a dash of warmth and humor, we'll work together to see the big picture, map a path, and manage what's in the way of getting some peace.

Sometimes it may feel like no one truly understands what you are going through. Maybe you feel like you are stuck in a revolving door of thoughts, feelings or actions that continually block you from getting where you want to go. Maybe the stresses and realities of our current world leave you feeling eroded and hopeless. You may have tried therapy, but still don’t feel like you have all the tools you need to handle the stresses of daily life. Are you tired of feeling powerless to lead the kind of life you envision for yourself?

Understanding "why or how" a problem has become a problem is not enough; "doing something about it" is what matters. If we work together, we'll come up with a treatment plan to tap into the drivers of your struggles and start making a shift. I encourage behavioral-change processes based on your personal values and what's keeping you stuck. If you're not ready to make a change, let's help you move from stuckness to readiness. I specialize in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). www.eastbaybehaviortherapycenter.com

I enjoy working with adolescents and young adults with OCD and those who may find themselves worrying too much or avoiding things that matter. I also help individuals who are struggling with stressful life transitions, including starting college or their professional careers, new relationships, and moving.

I provide services for 3 types of issues: 1) OCD , OCD -Spectrum Disorders (e.g., Tics, hair pulling , skin picking , and hoarding), and anxiety disorders; 2) Autism Spectrum Disorder of all functioning levels; and 3) OCD , OCD -Spectrum Disorders, and anxiety co-occuring with Autism. My work is with children, teens, and adults and I provide services in office, home, and community settings ranging from once weekly to daily sessions. I take a family-based approach when treating children and teens by giving parent and caregiver training.

I have specialized in the treatment of fear and anxiety for over 20 years. My expertise is in integrating a compassionate and pragmatic approach with empirically-supported therapies, such as CBT, ACT, and exposure therapy, to help individuals overcome life's obstacles and live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. I frequently work with individuals struggling with stress, panic disorder/agoraphobia, chronic worry, social anxiety, and phobias. I also have a specific expertise in the treatment of OCD and related disorders and am very passionate about helping people suffering with intrusive and bothersome obsessive thoughts.

My work is solutions oriented and focused on (1) individuals diagnosed with OCD /ADHD/Trichotillomania/Excoriation Disorder/Hoarding and other Neurodiverse conditions experiencing unhelpful thinking as a result of experiences struggling with symptoms such as executive functioning, sensory overload, etc. (2) families raising children with neurodivergent conditions needing support in resolving concerns and strengthening positive relationships at home, and (3) family therapy for adult children experiencing “failure to launch” and diminished autonomy from their parents who are motivated to achieve independence.

I try to create a light-hearted and non-judgemental environment that allows individuals to build confidence and autonomy while gaining back control over mental health struggles. It's important to me that people feel supported as they navigate a journey of personal growth. Oftentimes, people are nervous to share thoughts or worries they have had for years without talking to someone about it. I challenge people to take the risk to open up and work to solve difficulties that have come up, to make enjoying life just a little bit easier.

Welcome! Thank you for checking out my page, and more importantly, for taking this step to invest in yourself! You likely are struggling significantly with something and looking for guidance. You may be wondering if I could be the therapist by your side on this journey. Here's a little about me to help you make an informed decision: My style of therapy is thoughtful, warm, compassionate, non-judgmental, highly collaborative, and results-driven. You are the expert on you (your child), and are likely coming to me for expertise in specific therapies to help you get to where you are heading. As a team we can get there quicker!

Tara is skilled at caring for adolescents, pre-teens, and young adults through some of life's most difficult challenges. Tara is particularly passionate about helping clients with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Tara also has experience working with client's who struggle with strong emotions, transitions, grief, and relationships. Tara is passionate about inspiring clients and their families to gain self understanding, learn coping tools, and work toward personal goals.

I specialize in helping individuals (adults 18 and up) work through a wide range of issues. Some typical issues include depression, anxiety, OCD , infidelity, intimacy, relationship problems, addictions, transitions ( Marriage/divorce, career, empty-nest), trauma, ADD/ADHD, issue from childhood and other life issues. I have been treating these and other types of life problems for over 25 years. From my experience, I have found that people benefit from different therapeutic modalities and methods to achieve their goals and potential. Some of the modalities I find useful in addition to traditional in-depth psychotherapy include CBT/ERP, DBT, and EMDR.

Using insight-oriented and cognitive-behavioral approaches, I have developed an effective psychotherapeutic technique that has helped individuals gain relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, uncontrollable anger, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcohol/substance abuse, and child acting-out behaviors. I am a Licensed Psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association and the California Psychological Association. My clinical focus is in providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults. I see individuals, couples and families.

Seeking therapy for your child can be overwhelming and is important to work with a therapist who is collaborative and consistently available to parents. I specialize in play therapy with young children and psychotherapy for teens and I work with youngsters coping with chronic medical illness. My approach is creative, warm and accessible to all family members and I utilize a variety of treatment modalities, including cognitive behavioral strategies, art therapy, sand play therapy and group counseling. I assist parents in becoming "on the same page" regarding their children and I help caregivers to review their own parenting styles.

I work with adolescents, and adults. It is my goal to work in partnership with you and the appropriate family and community members to consider all factors which may be influencing your mental health and well being. Together we will design a plan to support your own resilience and innate healing response. My philosophy is more pragmatic, than theoretical. The focus is not merely on the treatment of symptoms of the disorder, but on achieving health, and a renewed sense of purpose, meaning, and joy. I strive to provide responsive and effective assistance with compassion and respect.

I work best with adults who hard on themselves, especially parents and people experiencing chronic pain. Do you often feel like you "should" be doing more or better? Do you feel guilty taking time for yourself? Do you have mixed feelings about parenthood or your relationship? Learning how to treat ourselves with compassion, accepting our negative feelings as well as the positive ones, and balancing caretaking for others with caring for ourselves is something many of us have to learn as adults. These are areas I help my clients with daily. You don't need to struggle with these issues alone.

I treat clients who have difficulty with borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder as well as clients in the midst of a major life transition or grief. Many of my clients struggle to regulate their emotions. They either avoid emotions altogether or feel explosive or out of control of their emotions.

I work with individuals, couples and families that are ready for help and wanting to make a change in their life. For almost 30years I've treated depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship problems, as well as difficulties stemming from past abuse or trauma. My philosophy about therapy is not one size fits all. I have been trained in Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Family Systems as well as other methods of therapy; and I draw on whatever techniques and methods work best for each unique individual or individuals with whom I'm working.

I specialize in numerous issues but especially children and teens. I believe in working with my patients. When you come to my office you are trusting me with your life or your child's life. I want to work as a team and for you to ask questions as needed. Most people are coming to therapy for stressful reasons and I am ready to help I treat everyone I work with like a family member. But I am kind and get the job done because that is why you came to me. I look forward to working with you.