Questions about OCD and its treatment.

OCD is a treatable condition made up of two parts: obsessions (unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, urges, or feelings that cause significant distress) and compulsions (mental or physical behaviors performed to reduce that distress). Everyone has intrusive thoughts; in OCD, the brain gets stuck on them and demands certainty.

No. Intrusive thoughts — even disturbing ones about harm, sex, religion, identity, or your loved ones — are extremely common and do not reflect who you are or what you want. OCD attaches to the things you care about most, which is exactly why it feels so threatening.

ERP is the most effective treatment for OCD. We gradually, intentionally face the thoughts and situations OCD has been avoiding (exposure) while resisting the compulsions OCD demands (response prevention). Over time, your brain learns that uncertainty and discomfort can be tolerated — and that the feared outcome does not happen.

Traditional talk therapy often focuses on analyzing thoughts or providing reassurance — both of which can unintentionally strengthen OCD. OCD requires a structured, behavioral approach. Many people who've spent years in talk therapy see meaningful change within months of starting ERP.

You can bring them here. Harm thoughts, sexual intrusive thoughts, scrupulosity, and other 'taboo' subtypes are extremely common in OCD. None of it will be met with judgment — only with the recognition that this is OCD, and we know how to treat it.

Yes — I accept insurance to help keep therapy accessible and affordable. If I'm out of network with your plan, my session fee is $175, and I can provide a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. It's worth calling your insurer to ask about your out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits.

Yes. I see clients via secure telehealth throughout California. ERP works well in a virtual format and often allows us to do exposures in the environments where OCD shows up most.

Sessions are 50 minutes. Most clients meet weekly, especially in the early phase of ERP when consistency matters most. As things improve, we can taper to every other week or beyond.

I ask for at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or reschedules. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full session fee, since that time was held just for you.

Reach out through the contact page for a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk about what's going on and decide together whether working together is a good fit.

It's a relaxed conversation — no intake forms, no commitment. You can share what's been going on, ask anything about ERP or my approach, and get a feel for whether we click. If it's not the right fit, I'll do my best to point you toward someone who is.

The first few sessions are about understanding your OCD — the themes, the compulsions, the avoidance, and how it's affecting your life. From there we build a plan together. We don't jump into hard exposures on day one.

ERP is challenging — but it's collaborative and paced. We start with exposures you feel ready to attempt and build from there. You're never asked to do something I haven't explained, and you're always in the driver's seat.

It varies, but many people experience significant improvement within 8 to 20 sessions of consistent ERP. Some need shorter, focused work; others benefit from longer-term support. We'll talk openly about progress and timing throughout.

No. ERP is effective on its own. That said, for some people medication can take the edge off enough to engage in ERP more fully. If that's a question for you, I'm happy to coordinate with a prescriber.

Yes — and the earlier OCD is treated, the easier it tends to be. With kids and teens, ERP is adapted to their developmental stage and often involves parents as coaches between sessions.

Common signs include repeated reassurance-seeking, rigid rituals around 'just right' feelings, excessive worry about contamination or harm, and big emotional reactions when routines are interrupted. If something feels off, a consultation can help clarify what's happening.