Practice Areas
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with OCD usually have both obsessions and compulsions (though some people only have one or the other).
Obsessions are thoughts that a person finds upsetting and intrusive and keep coming back even when a person tries to get rid of them. They are different than typical worries. Common obsessions include thoughts about being contaminated by dirt or germs, thoughts that you might be responsible for harm to others, or upsetting sexual or religious thoughts or mental images.
Compulsions are actions that a person feels driven to perform over and over (usually in response to obsessive thoughts). Common compulsions include excessive cleaning and washing, checking things repeatedly for safety (door locks, the stove, etc.), and feeling the need to touch things or say certain words or phrases.
I provide the front line psychological treatment for OCD -- Exposure and Response Prevention (often abbreviated 'ERP' or sometimes 'ExRP'), or sometimes, Exposure and 'Ritual' Prevention. ERP is the recommended psychological treatment for OCD by the American Psychiatric Association and is listed as a treatment with 'Strong Research Support' by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association.
Panic Disorder
People with Panic Disorder have frequent panic attacks. Panic attacks are intense attacks of anxiety with physical symptoms like having a pounding heart, difficulty breathing, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, and nausea or upset stomach. During a panic attack some people also worry that they are dying or that they are going 'insane'. Some people may worry that a panic attack is a heart attack or a stroke and may have visited the hospital.
I provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for panic disorder. Panic disorder is highly treatable with CBT, which is listed as a treatment with 'Strong Research Support' by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association.
Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or waking up too early. Many people have some difficulties with sleep from time to time, but it may need treatment if it lasts for weeks or months or if it is causing daytime interference.
I provide Stimulus Control Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for insomnia. Many people are surprised to learn that psychological treatments are effective in treating insomnia but, in fact, both Stimulus Control and CBT are recommended for treating insomnia by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and are listed as treatments with 'Strong Research Support' by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association.