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

Gina Patrick

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA, LPC

I provide CBT-based exposure therapy to support clients who have been diagnosed with OCD.

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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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Valerie Mustonen

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

When working with individuals who struggle with OCD, my approach is designed to help you understand and manage the intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that interfere with your daily life. I recognize that OCD can feel isolating and overwhelming, but with the right tools and support, it’s entirely possible to regain control and live a more balanced life. I use techniques including ERP, CBT and Mindfulness just to name a few.

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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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Kate Degenhardt, PhD (She/Her/Hers)

Clinical Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Intrusive thoughts and repetitive compulsions can be distressing and time-consuming. I specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. I provide a structured, supportive approach to help you face fears, reduce compulsions, and break free from OCD’s grip to live with greater clarity and confidence.

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Kate Sturges, MA, LPC (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

C4014

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

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Nathan Becker (he/him)

Professional Counselor Associate

MA, NCC

OCD can be a lonely, exhausting loop; obsessions you don’t want, compulsions you feel you can’t resist, and a cycle that steals your time, energy, and confidence. You may wonder if anyone really gets it. I do. Together, we’ll use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help you face the fear, break the patterns, and reclaim your freedom.

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Erik Lee (he/him)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PMHNP-BC

I provide diagnostic evaluations and medication management for adults with obsessive compulsive disorder, or who suspect they may have OCD.

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Mikaylee Dato

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

I have experience helping clients navigate all kinds of OCD obsessions and compulsions. With the right tools, you can manage and eliminate your OCD for good!

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Rebecca Garetz (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC, CYT

OCD is my main speciality that I am very passionate about treating! I use CBT (Exposure Therapy) and ACT to treat general anxiety, performance anxiety, perfectionism, over-control, anxiety, OCD, and social anxiety. I have OCD myself and have also done training through IOCDF, The Knowledge Tree, and CBT School.

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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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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 have also worked with clients who have OCD using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach. For some people a combination of these two techniques seems to be most helpful.

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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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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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Jordan Karr (he/him)

Licensed Psychologist

PhD

Do you struggle with unwanted thoughts or fears, overthinking, rumination, or time-consuming compulsions? I specialize in using ACT, CBT, and Exposure and Response Prevention to support folks struggling with 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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Myles Rizvi (He/him)

Clinical Psychologist

PsyD

I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Texas Children's Hospital's Obsessive-Compulsive and Anxiety Disorders Program, and I have four years of experience treating OCD as a licensed clinical psychologist. I completed the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) course in OCD treatment cosponsored by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). I have given several presentations on OCD-related topics at the IOCDF, and I published an article on pediatric OCD.

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Katie Playfair (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC (OR) LMHC (WA)

OCD includes Illness Anxiety Disorder/Health Anxiety/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 one area where I've done a lot of specialized training. I use neurodiversity-affirming Acceptance and Commitment Therapy + Exposure and Response Prevention for most clients with OCD and related disorders. e

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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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