I’m a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who specializes in treating OCD. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP—the gold standard for OCD care) forms the foundation of my approach. I also utilize other approaches like ACT and I-CBT where indicated by the current best evidence and practices. 

I have developed my approach to treat complex cases where other conditions like anxiety, depression and trauma are present, which is more common than OCD alone. I recognize that most people seeking treatment for OCD have received compassionate, well-intentioned, yet ultimately ineffective treatment along the way. 

While the accepting, non-judgemental, non-authoritarian environment that most therapy provides is necessary for the effective treatment of all disorders, alone, it’s not sufficient in facilitating change within OCD. Not only do OCD mechanisms not respond to this approach, they can be worsened by it. Sessions can often become marathon bouts of self-analysis and co-rumination, leading to brief relief followed by maintained, or even worsened symptoms. Right back where you started, see you next week. This pattern can become particularly insidious with “Pure O” presentations like relationship-themed OCD (ROCD), moral OCD, existential OCD, sexual intrusive thoughts and gender identity OCD (but is not limited to them). ERP-centered treatment addresses this.      

In addition to ERP, I also draw upon my background in emotion regulation research to inform treatment. This allows me to utilize a more nuanced approach that’s specific to the individual and their experience, and directly addresses processes common to most diagnoses (rumination/worry, self-criticism, perfectionism, experiential avoidance, non-acceptance, etc.). 

My ongoing engagement with emotion regulation literature also allows me to utilize novel, evidence-based techniques for treating OCD and other conditions which have yet to make their way from the research lab into the everyday practice of many clinicians.

The goal is to translate the best-supported methods into the most direct path to recovery. In addition to individual treatment, it’s my aim to make these important insights available to anyone interested. 

OCD is a lot things: isolating, confusing, frustrating, demanding, persistent. It’s also treatable, and treatments are continually being tested, refined and developed. People with OCD get better—I see it all of the time.