Individual Treatment

I treat children, teens and adults with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with cognitive behavioral (CBT) and family based approaches. 

 

CBT is a present-focused, problem-oriented approach to treatment with many studies documenting its effectiveness.  CBT involves educating kids and parents about the nature of anxiety or OCD.  Then coaching clients to think about themselves and the world in a different way. And most importantly helping clients face situations that they fear or avoid step by step.  I also teach and support parents in coaching their children in these anxious moments.

 

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a particular type of CBT for OCD.  It focuses on education about OCD and then “exposing,” by approaching things or situations that clients avoid step by step.  Then working to modify and eventually eliminate the compulsions or rituals that clients engage in. I work to provide these exposures in the sessions as much as possible so clients can gain experience with the strategies.

 

Exposures are important for both the treatment of anxiety disorders and OCD.  Some examples might include working with a child who is afraid of dogs to go to a pet store or go over at a friend’s house who has a dog.. Or coaching a socially anxious child to move from making eye contact with peers to asking another child to get together. Or helping a separation anxious child be on their own in their house and outside it. Finally, helping a child leave a room without checking or touch “contaminated” objects without washing, or allowing thoughts without getting reassurance

 

Each treatment plan is individualized depending on a client's unique fears and goals.