Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) Therapists in Iowa

Anxiety & OCD Treatment Services is a specialty clinic that strives to provide high-quality, evidence-based treatment for those who are suffering from anxiety and OCD, and who otherwise may not have access to specialized therapy services. We work with children, adolescents, and adults, offering both individual and parent-based therapy.

Are you ready to live, laugh, and love again? (Did I really just open my Psychology Today profile by ripping off everyone’s favorite/least favorite home décor slogan?) Seriously, though, life is too short to be miserable. It’s my hope that our time together will empower you to live with more purpose. I approach therapy in an informal way, because counseling doesn’t have to be so uptight. It’s OK to laugh! I spent 23 years as a newspaper feature writer before changing careers, writing thousands of stories. I now want my clients to look at the narrative of their lives and choose, for themselves, the direction their own story takes.

Ideally, my clients are individuals who are looking for someone to support them on their path to healing and flourishing. Simply put, they want to feel better. My clients want to rid themselves of their racing thoughts, nightmares, sleeplessness, sadness, and overall dysfunction. They want better relationships with their loved ones. They want coping skills and techniques that will help them battle their symptoms. They also want someone who is ready to listen to them.

Have you ever had the thought "Maybe I have a problem with anxiety?" One of the worst things about anxiety (aside from the feeling) is the avoidance it creates in a person's life. From mildly interfering with enjoyment to outright avoiding things altogether, anxiety can be paralyzing. Whether it's related to social situations, more generalized, panic attacks, phobia, agoraphobia, or related disorders such as OCD. These are my first and foremost areas of expertise. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing and comparing the progress a person makes along the way.

It’s an ongoing privilege to empower individuals to overcome personal obstacles from the bumpy chapters of their lives. It is my goal to assist clients in bringing about change, healing, growth, and acceptance in their lives. I also believe that knowledge is a powerful transformative tool, which is why I incorporate bibliotherapy and psychoeducation in my therapy sessions along with cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, and integrative medicine. You will have the autonomy to direct your own treatment because the outcome is in your hands.

I am an experienced therapist who is dedicated to helping children, adolescents, and adults experiencing a variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety/depression, OCD and BPD/EID. My practice is informed by various therapeutic approaches including person-centered, strength-based, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and exposure response therapy (ERP). I continue to strive toward increasing my knowledge base and use of additional evidence-based therapeutic approaches to inform my practice and provide clients with the skills they need to reach their full potential.

I work with individuals with ADHD, OCD, Trauma, anxiety and sexual concerns such as men's issues, porn addiction and polyamory. My treatment modalities focus on the individual and it's not a cookie cutter approach. I incorporate modalities like CBT, Mindfulness, Stages of Change, Trauma Informed Therapy and Solution Focus therapy, and use podcasts, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok videos, books and more as supplements as well. My patients are eager to improve their lives, but often stuck as to where to start or where to begin.

Like many of us, most of my clients are seeking greater meaning in their lives, improved connection and satisfaction in relationships, and relief from loneliness, worry, rumination, and shame. My practice is based on values that emphasize acceptance/non-judgment, compassion, and authenticity. Starting therapy doesn't need to have a rigid plan or agenda. Simply being curious or wanting to feel better is a great place to start. We all need a space where we don't feel judged and are free to explore who we are, what we want, and who we want to become.

Annie is a native of Northwest Iowa and has been serving children, adults, and families in the area for the past ten years. Annie holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in the state of Iowa and a Registered Play Therapist.

I have experience working with many mental health concerns and I am passionate about working with people struggling with anxiety and OCD, as well as supporting people in the LGBTQ+ community. My work focuses on helping people navigate challenges using their extensive knowledge of themselves and the skills and abilities they have developed over their lives. I believe my clients are the experts on themselves and work collaboratively to help them discover what works best for them.

Comparing yourself to others? Struggling with uncertainties in life? Worried others might judge you by your thoughts? My goal in therapy is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to take risks and help you to build more confidence. I want to help you to live a more authentic life that is in line with YOUR goals and values. I am currently licensed to help individuals in Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida, Vermont and Delaware. I look forward to meeting you and talking more about how things can get better for you.

Do you feel stuck or unhappy? Do you wonder why everyone seems to have it all together but you don’t? Do you want to stop living in fear and better yourself? Taking the steps to take control of your life is an act of bravery and self-love. We all get one life on this earth, it is up to us to make the most of it. I have been working as a therapist for over 10 years helping adults and adolescents make small changes that with time lead to big results. My specialties include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and improving interpersonal relationship dynamics and boundaries.

Your health and well-being are important, and when you make the decision to care for your mental health, MWR is here to partner with you. MWR Counseling provides outpatient mental health counseling to individuals, couples, and families. Our providers specialize in multiple areas, including perinatal mental health, EMDR and somatic trauma treatment, OCD, and chronic pain. When you contact MWR, you will be connected with a therapist who is trained and experienced in providing treatment for your specific needs.

Our world is fast paced. So, it makes sense that many individuals struggle with feelings of anxiety, isolation, or shame when they want to feel grounded, connected, and at peace. I help my clients to explore these and similar concerns and express themselves authentically.

To those around you, you may look like you have it all together. But on the inside, you are screaming. You're hiding the obsessive thoughts and "crazy" compulsions you engage in so you can maybe lower your level of anxiety. You can't sleep due to your anxiety. You've tried to make changes, but it never gets better. These are secrets that you think no one will understand.

Can't sleep? Trapped in anxious rumination? Misplaced your joy? I specialize in treating insomnia, anxiety, panic and OCD in adults and high school age teens. Clients learn skills and enhance their confidence within a validating Behavioral Therapy framework. Clients co-create weekly behavioral experiments and track their mood, body responses. Therapy is time-limited and problem-focused.

The side of you people see is polished and put together, but you don't always feel that way on the inside. Sometimes you worry about things you shouldn't worry about and this anxiety can take over making it hard to cope. We can work together to help you recognize your strengths in a world where you are constantly confronted with negativity. I provide a safe and comfortable space to explore these issues and help you to resolve your inner struggles. Online therapy can help you regain your confidence, develop new coping skills, and improve your life…all without sacrificing your busy schedule or privacy.

I am a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders and related issues. I focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy to address worry, stress, and anxiety. I have specialized training in evidence based treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, body focused repetitive behaviors (trichotillomania - hair pulling - and skin picking/lip chewing), panic disorders, phobias, social anxiety and generalized worries. Virtual reality is available for the treatment of specific phobias. I work with children, adolescents and adults. I am a member of PSYPACT, an interstate compact facilitating telepsychology.

While the basic process of personal change is fairly simple: "Stop doing the unwanted behavior and start doing the wanted behavior", we all tend to struggle in these endeavors. Why? Because we are products of our learned behaviors, habits, and patterns. I believe that everyone has the power to change and that using therapy can be a very helpful way to make your desired change a reality! If you are considering making a change in your life, feel like you want to stop suffering, or need some help in carrying out your plans for change, I would be honored to help you.