Specialties

OCD is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. 

Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted, or disturbing thoughts. They may seem to come out of nowhere, and can feel spiraling, catastrophic, and difficult to disrupt. 

Compulsions are the repetitive behaviors that are done to prevent a feared outcome from happening. These behaviors can feel uncontrollable, or like something we have to do.

There is often an element of magical thinking involved with obsessions and compulsions. For example, someone who obsesses about contamination might wash their hands excessively, believing this will prevent them from getting sick. They might also require loved ones to do the same.

OCD creates a lot of these "rules" to follow, with what can feel like very high stakes. This is why compulsions can be extremely difficult and scary to resist. 

It's important to remember that as convincing and as loud as the OCD can be, we are capable of changing how much control OCD has over us. 

I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help clients defuse from their OCD and reclaim their lives. You'll develop skills to reduce compulsions, while practicing new responses to the intrusive thoughts. You'll also learn how to navigate and tolerate anxiety with acceptance and self-compassion. 

You deserve to live more freely, and I want to help show you how.

BFRBs are repetitive behaviors that are done to satisfy an urge. This includes hair pulling, skin picking, or biting nails, lips or cheeks. When done excessively, these behaviors can cause significant distress or health concerns. 

It's a common misconception that these are just bad habits that can be stopped at any time. Most people with BFRBs would simply stop if it were so easy, but it's not! We know that these are actually very complex behaviors that are highly reinforced for a variety of reasons. There is usually a need present that the BFRB is satisfying. Maybe it's a stress-reliever, a way to focus when distracted, or something to do when bored or anxious. 

This is more common than you might think, and you don't have to figure it out on your own. In treatment, we'll use a comprehensive behavioral approach to explore what these behaviors mean to you, how they're functioning, and what's maintaining them. 

As we reduce the BFRBs, we'll also replace them with more effective, sustainable strategies to meet your needs and set you up for longer term maintenance. 

Have you already done a course of BFRB treatment, but want a few check-in sessions? Happy to help! Reach out to schedule a short term (3-5 session) BFRB Maintenance Series. We'll go over what you've already tried, discuss barriers to success, and refine your relapse prevention plan to set you up for ongoing success.

Social anxiety is known for its distinctive chronic and intense fear of being in social settings. This anxiety is tied to an intense fear of what others think of us, and a fear that we'll act in an embarrassing or humiliating way. 

This can lead to difficulties creating and maintaining friendships or relationships, interacting with authority figures, and advocating for what you need. 

Social anxiety can also intensify isolation and avoidance, loneliness, hypersensitivity to criticism, low self-esteem, and depression. 

In treatment, you'll learn skills to respond differently to your anxious thoughts, cope more effectively in social settings, and gain confidence in your abilities to make connections with others.

The life you want is possible, and starts with not accepting the limits your anxiety places on you. Reach out to find a way through this with someone who understands.

Do you find yourself feeling overly nervous about things that others seem to find manageable? For example, feeling very anxious about your responsibilities at work, completing household chores, being on time, your health or health of your loved ones, or finances. 

Symptoms of generalized anxiety can be physical, like feeling restless or on edge, having muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, or feeling easily exhausted. They can also be cognitive, such as intense rumination, having difficulty concentrating, or noticing your mind going blank. 

Living with generalized anxiety can feel extremely stressful and disruptive. Maybe you're even noticing that it's impacting your relationships or job. 

I use a CBT approach to help increase awareness of anxiety, identify distorted thinking, and learn to challenge or reframe anxious thoughts. 

I encourage you to reach out to discover what life can be like when you're equipped to live alongside your anxiety, rather than be overwhelmed by it.