Our Specialties
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What is a Panic Attack/Panic Disorder?
A panic attack is a sudden, intense surge of fear or discomfort that reaches its peak within minutes. It often feels overwhelming and can occur unexpectedly or in response to a specific trigger. Panic Disorder is a mental health condition in which a person experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, along with persistent worry about having more attacks and changes in behaviors to avoid triggering situations (e.g., avoiding exercise, crowded places, driving).
Symptoms of a Panic Attack:
Racing or pounding heart (palpitations)
Shortness of breath or a choking sensation
Chest pain or tightness
Sweating or chills
Shaking or trembling
Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
Nausea or stomach discomfort
Numbness or tingling
Feeling detached from reality (derealization) or from yourself (depersonalization)
Fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying
Treatment of Panic Attack/Panic Disorder:
The most effective treatment for Panic Disorder is typically a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention. CBT consists of psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, interoceptive exposure and behavioral experiments. CBT is highly effective.
Treatment also includes addressing lifestyle factors and incorporating supportive strategies to enhance overall well-being and reduce vulnerability to panic symptoms.
The primary goal of therapy in treating panic attacks or panic disorder is to equip clients with effective coping strategies that enable them to tolerate and navigate the experience of panic without escalating their anxiety. Rather than reacting fearfully to the symptoms, therapy helps clients learn to 'ride the wave' of panic with greater acceptance and resilience, ultimately reducing its intensity and frequency over time.
While therapy is an effective primary treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder, medication can also be a helpful option for some individuals. When appropriate, we can provide referrals to trusted psychiatrists for medication evaluation and management. We collaborate closely with prescribing providers to ensure coordinated care. Please note that we do not prescribe or manage medication, as this falls outside the scope of our clinical qualifications.
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What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition marked by the presence of obsessions recurrent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause significant anxiety or distress and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to these obsessions. These compulsions are typically aimed at reducing distress or preventing a feared event. These symptoms are time-consuming, cause distress and interfere with daily functioning in social, occupational and personal areas.
OCD falls under the umbrella of anxiety-related disorders and can significantly interfere with daily functioning. Individuals with OCD often struggle with exaggerated fears related to harm or losing control, uncertainty, emotional discomfort triggered by intrusive thoughts, constant self-questioning or doubt, need for things to be “just right” and inflated sense of responsibility.
There are several subtypes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, each characterized by specific themes or patterns of obsessions and compulsions. Common types include:
Contamination OCD marked by fears of germs, illness, or unclean environments, often leading to excessive cleaning or avoidance.
Symmetry and Ordering OCD – driven by a need for balance, exactness, or things feeling “just right.”
Harm OCD involves intrusive thoughts about accidentally or intentionally causing harm to oneself or others.
Hyper-Responsibility OCD characterized by an overwhelming sense of responsibility for preventing bad outcomes, even those outside one’s control.
"Just Right" OCD involves discomfort or anxiety when things don’t feel or look “right,” leading to repetitive behaviors until they do.
Relationship OCD (ROCD) includes obsessive doubts and fears about one’s relationship or partner.
Perfectionism OCD involves excessive concern with making mistakes, being morally “perfect,” or meeting unrealistic standards.
Characteristics of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:
Obsessive intrusive thoughts or mental images
Compulsive repetitive behaviors in response to obsessions obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming and cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
High anxiety, worry, fear and panic
Experiencing mental “loops” where intrusive thoughts feel inescapable and persistent.
Experiencing feeling “stuck in gear” constantly looping on fears and compulsions.
Disturbed cognitive flexibility making it hard to move from certain thoughts or fears.
Feeling “locked” into repetitive thinking patterns, making it feel like there’s no relief from intrusive thoughts.
Thoughts hijacked by anxiety and doubt, leading to a sense of being mentally overwhelmed.
Difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
Feelings of shame and self-criticism.
Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is treatable, and many individuals experience significant relief using several evidence-based treatments approaches including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): A specialized form of CBT and the gold standard for OCD treatment. ERP involves gradually facing feared situations (exposures) while resisting the urge to perform compulsions (response prevention), helping to break the OCD cycle.
Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed to help reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Medication may be used alone or alongside therapy.
Mindfulness Techniques: Mindfulness-based approaches can support treatment by helping individuals observe intrusive thoughts without judgment and reduce reactivity to anxiety.
A combination of these treatments, tailored to the individual's needs, often leads to the most effective clinical outcome.
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What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as Social Phobia, is a mental health condition characterized by an intense, persistent fear of being judged or negatively evaluated by others in social or performance situations. The core fear is being evaluated by others based on something that they will do or say leading to self-doubt and self judgement. Clients often report feeling that they are in a “spotlight”, and therefore have increase anxiety of being further evaluated. It is often manifested by fear of social situation like public speaking, meeting new people, eating in front of others, going to social gathering,, changing or correcting an order at a restaurant or making phone calls. Social anxiety disorder can cause significant impairment in daily functioning, negatively impacting an individual's mood, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety:
Fear of social situation
Avoidance Behavior (avoiding social interactions or endure them with great distress)
Physical symptoms (sweating, trembling, blushing, rapid heartbeat, nausea or difficulty speaking)
Fear of panic attacks
Negative thoughts (persistent worry about embarrassing oneself)
Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- the most effective therapy
CBT emphasizes identifying distorted thoughts and automatic thoughts and replacing them with more realistic and balanced thoughts. It helps shift deep rooted belief (core beliefs) by building evidence against them though experience and reflection. CBT teaches you practical strategies to manage anxiety in the moment
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a powerful behavioral therapy that involves facing feared social situations. It involves gradually and repeatedly exposing yourself to social situations that trigger anxiety and breaks the cycle of avoidance. Response Prevention would be resisting “safety behaviors” to feel less anxiety. ERP helps you resist or “prevent” these behaviors, so your brain can learn that the situation is safe even without those coping habits. Repeated exposures without escape or avoidance lead to habituation, meaning your anxiety naturally decreases over time because your brain learns that nothing bad actually happens.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)-mindfulness based therapy
DBT can be very helpful in the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder especially when it is intense and chronic. DBT helps with emotional regulation caused by overwhelming feelings of shame, fear and embarrassment. DBT teaches tools to understand, manage and reduce intense emotions so clients don’t feel hijacked by anxiety. DBT helps clients tolerate uncomfortable feelings (i.e anxious/nervous during a conversation) without avoiding or escaping the situations.
Mindfulness helps you stay present in the moment rather than worrying about being judged or criticized during interactions.
It reduces rumination and increases self-awareness, making social interactions feel less overwhelming.
Most importantly DBT promotes radical acceptance and non-judgmental awareness, helping client implement self-compassion instead of self-judgment during and after social interactions.
Social Skills Training
Social Skills Training (SST) is a behavioral therapy approach that helps people with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) improve their ability to interact with others confidently and effectively. For many individuals with social anxiety, the fear of social situations is partly due to low confidence in their social abilities, or lack of practice or knowledge about how to engage in certain social interactions.
Social Skills Training provides structured, supportive practice of real-life social situations. Practicing these skills in a safe setting reduces fear and builds self-efficacy, the belief that you can handle social situations.
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What is Excoriation Disorder?
The most effective treatment for anxiety-related compulsive skin picking, also known as Excoriation Disorder typically involves a combination of behavioral therapy and psychiatric support.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify triggers, understand thought patterns that drive picking and develop healthier coping strategies.
Habit Reversal Training (HRT) is a specialized form of CBT that includes awareness training, competing response training (replacing picking with alternative behavior) and stimulus control or habit blockers (modifying the environment to reduce triggers).
Medication treatment can be helpful when picking is severe or linked to underlying anxiety, OCD, or depression.
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What is a Specific Phobia?
A specific phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense, irrational fear of a particular object, situation, or activity that poses little or no actual danger. The fear leads to avoidance behavior and causes significant distress or interference in daily functioning.
Most Common Specific Phobias:
Fear of germs or dirt (Mysophobia, common with OCD)
Fear of vomiting or seeing others vomiting (Emetophobia)
Fear of enclosed places (e.g. elevators)( Claustrophobia)
Fear of heights (Acrophobia)
Fear of flying (Aerophobia)
Fear of injections, needles, blood(Trypanophobia)
Fear of snakes (Ophidiophobia)
Fear of medical procedures (common with OCD)
Fear of driving (e.g. freeways)
Treatment for Specific Phobias:
The most effective treatment for specific phobias is exposure therapy, a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Exposure therapy involves gradually and repeatedly confronting the feared object or situation in a safe and controlled manner, allowing the brain to unlearn the fear response over time. This helps reduce anxiety and avoidance behaviors. A combination of exposure with relaxation techniques is used. Overall, exposure therapy leads to lasting improvement and is considered the gold standard for treating specific phobias.
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A depressive disorder is a mental health condition that is often manifested by feelings of sadness, emptiness, irritability or hopelessness along with physical and cognitive symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. Clients often report experiencing depression with expressions such as:
“I feel empty inside”,
“It’s like a heavy weight on my chest”,
“I feel numb or disconnected from everything”, “
“I’m just going through the motions”
Symptoms of Depression:
Persistent sadness, hopelessness or emptiness
Irritability or frustration, even over small things
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Negative thoughts about oneself, the future or the world
Suicidal thoughts or a sense of helplessness
Fatigue or low energy
Sleep problems such as insomnia or oversleeping
Changes in appetite or weight
Social withdrawal or isolation
Slowed speech or movements
Neglecting personal care or responsibilities
Treatment of Depression
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps treat depression by addressing the negative thought patterns and unhelpful behaviors that contribute to and maintain the condition. It is a structured, goal-oriented, and evidence-based therapy that empowers clients to take an active role in their recovery.
CBT helps with recognizing automatic negative thoughts that contribute to feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It helps client identify distorted thinking and learn to replace with more balanced and realistic thoughts. CBT helps with behavioral activation and encourages clients to gradual re-engage in activities to improve mood and motivation. It helps clients develop practical strategies for dealing with daily stressors, which increases a sense of control and reduces feelings of helplessness.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is helpful in treating depressive disorders by equipping clients with skills to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships key areas often impacted by depression. DBT integrates cognitive-behavioral strategies with mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches, helping individuals become more aware of negative thought patterns without being overwhelmed by them. Through emotion regulation techniques, clients learn to reduce mood instability and respond to difficult situations more effectively. The mindfulness component of DBT fosters present-moment awareness and reduces rumination, a common feature in depression. Additionally, DBT’s emphasis on validation and acceptance supports clients in building a more compassionate view of themselves, which can lessen self-criticism and hopelessness.
Insight-Oriented Therapy
Insight-oriented therapy helps in the treatment of depression by exploring the underlying emotional conflicts, unconscious patterns, and past experiences, often from childhood or early relationships that contribute to a person’s current depressive symptoms. This psychodynamic approach aims to increase self-awareness and understanding of how unresolved issues, such as loss, guilt, shame, or unmet needs, influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the present.
As clients gain insight into the root causes of their depression, they can begin to recognize repeating patterns, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and make more conscious, empowered choices in their lives. This deeper self-understanding can reduce feelings of helplessness and internal conflict, leading to emotional relief and long-term improvement. Insight-oriented therapy is especially helpful for individuals with chronic or recurring depression, or those whose symptoms are linked to relational or identity struggles.
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Couples psychotherapy, also known as couples therapy, is a form of psychological treatment that helps partners in a relationship better understand each other, improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their emotional connection.
The Goals of Couples Psychotherapy:
Enhance connection and increase emotional intimacy
Address and strengthen emotional or physical intimacy concerns
Improve communication and active listening
Teach couples how to approach conflict in a healthy, productive way.
Resolve recurring arguments or long-standing issues
Replace destructive conflict patterns with constructive interaction
Enhancing emotional regulation and self-soothing. Learning how to calm themselves and each other during difficult moments.
Treatment of Couples Psychotherapy
Couples psychotherapy is approached through several therapeutic models, each with a unique focus. One approach is teaching couples the use of emotional intelligence, helping couples learn to identify and recognize their own emotions, use empathy to understand each other, and form deeper emotional connections. It teaches partners to reduce impulsivity and the need for immediate gratification in emotional reactions, express themselves more constructively, and improve emotional communication.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps couples by identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to conflict. It focuses on problem-solving, improving communication skills, and developing more adaptive beliefs about the relationship. Through CBT, couples learn to break destructive cycles and replace them with healthier, more supportive interactions.
Insight-oriented couples therapy, on the other hand, explores how each partner’s past experiences, especially from early family relationships, shape current emotional responses and relationship patterns. By gaining insight into these unconscious influences, couples can better understand themselves and each other, resolve deep-seated issues, and create more meaningful, emotionally aware connections.
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Psychological treatment for weight management is a structured, evidence-based approach that targets the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral determinants of eating and body weight. This treatment helps individuals develop greater awareness of eating patterns, recognize triggers for emotional or automatic eating, and cultivate strategies for self-regulation and mindful eating. Utilizing interventions such as cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness-based approaches, and motivational strategies, clients are supported in modifying unhelpful behaviors, enhancing body acceptance, and fostering sustainable lifestyle changes. The primary goal of treatment is to integrate the psychological components of weight management using evidence-based psychological principles in addressing the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors that influence eating and lifestyle patterns areas often overlooked when the focus is solely on diet and exercise.
Goals for Psychological Treatment of Weight Management:
Understanding the brain reward system
Our work together focuses on understanding how the brain’s reward system influences eating behaviors. In our process, we explore how your brain responds to food, stress, habits, and pleasure, and how these responses shape patterns such as emotional eating and cravings. Together, we build skills to regulate urges, tolerate discomfort, and develop healthier ways of coping. Rather than relying on restriction or willpower alone, this approach supports lasting change by reshaping habits on a behavioral level, promoting balance, sustainability, and overall well-being.
Behavioral strategies from addiction treatment
Behavioral strategies uses behavioral strategies informed by addiction treatment models to support weight management. In our process, we identify triggers, patterns, and cues that contribute to automatic or compulsive eating, and develop structured tools to interrupt these cycles. We focus on increasing awareness, strengthening impulse control, building tolerance for cravings, and creating healthier ways to cope with stress and emotions. Rather than viewing weight as a matter of willpower, this approach treats eating behaviors as learned patterns that can be reshaped through support, consistency, and practical skill-building for lasting change.
Cognitive Behavioral Approach
The use of a cognitive behavioral approach to weight management focuses on understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to food, body image, and health. In this process, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns such as all-or-nothing thinking or self-criticism that influence eating behaviors, and work to replace them with more balanced, supportive thoughts. We then translate these shifts into practical behavior changes through skill-building, self-monitoring, and problem-solving, supporting healthier habits in a realistic and sustainable way.
Mindfulness Based Intervention
Our work together using mindfulness-based interventions for weight management focuses on building awareness of thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and hunger cues without judgment. In this process, we learn to notice eating patterns, emotional triggers, and body signals in the present moment, rather than reacting automatically. Through practices such as mindful eating and emotion regulation, we cultivate a more compassionate and intentional relationship with food supporting healthier choices, balance, and long-term well-being.