OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that, as the name implies, includes the presence of both obsessions and compulsions. People with OCD experience unwanted and repeated thoughts that they cannot control and that persist despite efforts to ignore them. These obsessive thoughts make those suffering from OCD feel driven to perform compulsive tasks or rituals in an attempt to prevent the thoughts or make them go away. When left untreated, OCD is often a disabling illness that deeply affects a person’s ability to live a normal life. No one knows what causes OCD, but it sometimes runs in families and often starts in childhood. Seeing a mental health professional is an important part of treatment for individuals who have OCD.

Local experts in OCD

Elyse Conterno (she/her)

Clinical Psychologist

PsyD (licensed in Oregon and Washington)

I am trained in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), which is considered the gold standard for treating OCD. I integrate the theories of ACT to help clients make the tough and brave choice to challenge their fears and expand their world.

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Cory Anton

Licensed Professional Counselor

I am BTTI (Behavior Therapy Training Institute) certified to treat OCD. This includes a combination of using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, which is the gold standard treatment for OCD. ERP helps you to build tolerance to the feelings of anxiety and panic that can occur.

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Katie Playfair, LPC (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC (OR and Tx) LMHC (WA)

OCD includes Illness Anxiety Disorder/HealthAnxiety/hypochondriasis, obsessions, compulsions, skin and hair picking, and some other types of more severe anxiety you might not know are in the OCD cluster. This is another area where I've done a lot of specialized training.

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Josh Clark (he/him)

Clinical Psychologist

PhD, ABPP-CN

You may feel trapped by nagging and intrusive thoughts that you feel have no “off-button.” Or, you may feel compelled to engage in certain behaviors to a point where they impede on your quality of life. Have hope. Obsessive thinking and behaviors are very treatable. I help my clients understand their symptoms and unlock the door to an easier, more comfortable way of existing.

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Shanna Kramer (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA, LPC, CCATP

I have extensive experience treating individuals with OCD in individual, group, and intensive outpatient treatment programs. I have worked with a variety of OCD themes including contamination, harming obsessions, "just right," scrupulosity, relationship anxiety, order, symmetry, and exactness, intrusive sexual thoughts, perfectionism, disordered eating, postpartum, health anxiety, rituals, checking behaviors, and mental compulsions.

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Lynne Coon

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

I sought additional training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the standard for treating OCD, traditional talk therapy doesn't work. Someone with OCD can understand their thoughts logically don't make sense but that doesn't stop the obsessions. ERP along CBT works!

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Katie Clark, LMHC, LPC (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

NCC

Methods of treatment used are evidence-based, supported by research, and by the American Psychological Association (APA). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Exposure and Response Prevention are the most scientifically supported methods of treating OCD, so are the main methods I use in working with clients.

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Renee Fitzpatrick (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LMHC, LPC, CST

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a neurodivergent condition and not inherently a "disorder." However, when untreated and/or heightened symptoms become distressing, OCD can be incredibly disruptive and is considered one of the top ten most disabling mental illnesses. I specializing in treating individuals with OCD and helping them to manage their symptoms. Additionally, I frequently help individuals explore the intersection between OCD and sexuality.

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Haley Jones (they/them)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MS, LPC

I utilize inference Based CBT (IBT) in my approach to OCD treatment. I discovered IBT in my journey to finding an approach to OCD treatment that was taught and affirmed by those with lived experience.

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Lucia Kilday (She/Her)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PMHNP

I am certified in Exposure and Response Prevention (EXRP) therapy, an evidence-based approach for managing OCD symptoms.

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Emily Kittelson

Licensed Professional Counselor

MS, LPC

I am trained in providing Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I find that ERP can also be combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

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Kate Sturges, MA, LPC (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

I specialize in treating OCD utilizing CBT along with Exposure and Response Prevention.

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Rebecca Garetz (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC, LMHC, CYT

I use CBT (Exposure Therapy), ACT, and RO-DBT to treat general anxiety, performance anxiety, perfectionism, over-control, anxiety, OCD, and social anxiety. Yoga therapy can also be utilized.

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Jenny Labrousse

Licensed Professional Counselor

Do you experience unwanted thoughts, urges, or images? OCD can be debilitating. I specialize in helping individuals overcome this stubborn disorder. I utilize evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help individuals overcome OCD.

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Sylas Veit (he/him)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA in Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy

OCD is one of the most misunderstood diagnoses, with many clinicians having no training in treating OCD at all. Intrusive thoughts and compulsions can be isolating and exhausting, so it can be frustrating to struggle to find a therapist who really knows OCD. I have attended trainings and conferences with IOCDF to sharpen my skills with treating OCD. I use a combination of metacognitive therapy, mindfulness, and exposure & response prevention (including imaginal exposures) to treat symptoms.

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