Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) Therapists in California

Each person generates their own understanding of life. My goal is to help each individual create their own meaning of life and gain a better understanding of the challenges that they may face. From a small child to a grown adult, there is the capacity for change within each one of us. Regardless of age, I look at each client as an individual and treat each person for who they are and the struggles that they may be facing. I offer a supportive, healing environment that is catered around each person's needs.

I work with clients on issues ranging from depression, anxiety, OCD, addiction to relationship, career and identity issues and I work with couples. I’ve had a specialty in hair pulling and skin picking since 2001: See my website.  I use many theories in my work—psychodynamic, Jungian dreamwork and mindfulness practice to name a few—but my style is existential humanistic, working in the present. I see the ultimate goal as supporting you in living from an authentic, empowered place, feeling a sense of inner security, hearing and trusting your true inner voice—not the inner critic—and having a strong sense of self to guide you in life.

My clients are individuals who are navigating the complexities of trauma, as well as related challenges such as anxiety, depression, and harm OCD. Understanding that each person's experience is unique, I collaborate closely with my clients from the outset to establish tailored therapy goals. In our initial session, we lay the groundwork for our journey together, focusing on objectives that often encompass symptom alleviation, functional enhancement, the development of coping skills, increased self-awareness, and the cultivation of deep, transformative insights.

I treat obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD, BDD, BFRBs, illness anxiety disorder), misophonia, and anxiety. I have several of these conditions myself, and have benefited greatly from the same treatments I now provide for others. Working with these conditions is very rewarding - I love seeing my clients experience symptom relief and return their attention to the activities that matter most to them.

Do you worry too much about different things? Are you hard on yourself, withdraw from others or struggle to engage in life due to feeling down? Would you like to feel less anxious, less depressed or finally work through unresolved trauma? Establishing a relationship with a well-informed therapist provides for no longer feeling alone in your experiences and safely addressing such underlying issues that may be keeping you stuck in your problems, preventing you from reaching your goals and living your best life. I am trained in a variety of evidenced-based therapy approaches to best meet your needs with a personalized care experience.

My practice, which is located in West Los Angeles, offers customized, personalized psychological services to adults of all ages who are experiencing mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, trauma, insomnia, relationship concerns, or other struggles that are interfering in their ability to feel fully alive and satisfied. My focus is on providing weekly individual therapy, in person.

“Why am I having these thoughts?…This does not feel right… I’m scared…I have to do these compulsions to feel better…If people really knew the thoughts I have, no one would want to be around me anymore…”. These are all thoughts patients have expressed to me throughout the years. I am a clinical psychologist with extensive training and experience working with OCD, family dynamics, and familial accommodation. I specialize in evidenced-based treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders utilizing Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY32979) providing individual psychotherapy to adolescents and adults in both English and Spanish. I specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy and other science-based treatments for anxiety disorders, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition to my work at CPC, I'm a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, I supervise anxiety and OCD cases and co-direct La Clinica Latina, where evidence-based treatments are provided in Spanish.

Why do I have anxiety in this situation? Why do I avoid it? Where are these distressing and intrusive thoughts from? Why do I repeat this behavior over and over? If these questions sound familiar, you may have anxiety and/or OCD. Anxiety sucks but it is an emotion and has a goal, helping us to prevent dangerous situations and survive. I love defining anxiety as the cognitive (thoughts) and the physiological expressions (body feelings) of the fight-or-flight system. Our society tells us how anxiety is bad and how we should run away from it. We never have had the opportunity to see and learn something different about it.

I am an Associate Therapist at Dr. McCurdy-McKinnon & Associates: Eating Disorders Clinic, specializing in disordered eating and OCD. Many folks seeking my support may have been struggling in secret for a while, experiencing uncertainty, or believing they "should've" figured it out themselves by now. Typically, my clients face a lot of future worry, have fears of judgement or failure, and cannot seem to turn that self-critical voice's volume down. Importantly: I am anti-diet culture, fat positive, weight inclusive, HAES-alligned. I am LGBTQIA+ allied, neurodiversity affirming, and committed to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism

I allocate my time and practice between two specific and unique issues: one being sexually related problems, the other being OCD. With sexually related issues, they can show up as relationship problems, infidelity, arousal discrepancy, or LGBT matters. Likewise, with OCD, there are many different forms and subtypes: harm, scrupulosity, contamination, sexual, symmetry/order/balance/just right. I am trained and experienced in both fields, utilizing tools and interventions to treat one or the other, and sometimes both.

My passion is helping individuals, children, and families to find relief and look forward to their futures. Whether it is anxiety, OCD, PANDAS, or other related struggles, I look forward to partnering with you to find a fresh perspective. Maybe your child is struggling or you need extra support as their caretaker; I am here to help. Wondering if video telehealth sessions are for you? I have found that telehealth sessions are both convenient for clients to easily attend in the midst of their busy lives, as well as allows us to work on anxiety using the home environment or including important family support.

When it comes to living life without depression and feeling your absolute best, nearly everyone can use a little bit of help. If you have experienced or is currently experiencing treatment-resistant depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), we are here to help. With a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment and zero down-time, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy may be just right for you. With so many options, a consultation is often the best way to get all your questions answered. Call for a free consultation today!

Sometimes, we get stuck in patterns that might have been helpful at some point in our lives but are not so helpful to us now. These patterns show up in the ways we respond in our relationships, in work/school, to challenges, and to ourselves. We’ll approach therapy as collaborators to build up your skills and strengths to get you unstuck. In our work together, we'll gently explore the past, so we can create an action plan for a different future. We'll recontextualize what no longer serves you and make space for your curious, creative self to emerge.

I work with clients who have social anxiety, shyness, and feel awkward and out of place. They want to feel better about themselves and their circumstances. They may have been through a difficult childhood and trauma and abuse. They are motivated to get better and want to speak to someone who is nonjudgmental and compassionate. Clients have opened up to me about their deepest traumas and secrets that they have not shared with anyone else. I feel honored to be part of my client's journey and help them to find solutions. I have a strong client centered approach blended with a CBT intervention based approach.

We all have strategies for dealing with challenges day-to-day. But over time, many strategies can fall short or even backfire. We may find ourselves withdrawing and avoiding certain aspects of our lives, or overextending and pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion. This can leave us feeling anxious, depressed, and irritable and can also take a toll on our relationships and physical health. One of my goals as a therapist is to help you identify changes you can make, both big and small, and tap into your motivation to follow-through on those changes.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who specializes in individual, couple and family psychotherapy. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and received my Master of Science in Counseling at California State University, Fresno. I have a special interest in treating individuals and families in crisis, as well as individuals with a history of trauma, Post Traumatic Stress and anxiety disorders including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I also specialize in treating ADHD and adult children of narcissists.

Taking the step to begin therapy can be pretty overwhelming, especially if you struggle with persistent intrusive thoughts that feel uncomfortable or scary. These unwanted thoughts might make you feel stuck in a difficult cycle of fear and anxiety. In my work, I honor this sensitive and individualized process by meeting you at your own pace while gently encouraging you to examine your thoughts mindfully, experience your feelings openly, and embrace the great unknown. My approach is warm and collaborative, offering space for authentic, human connection in the therapy room.

I believe that everyone is doing the best that they can with what they know and that expanding what they know through discovering their personal patterns and learning new skills will empower them to reach their therapeutic goals.