Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) Therapists in Cheswick, PA

I am a clinician at Allegheny Mental Health Associates. I work with young adults and adults (ages 18-45) to provide support and education so clients can meet their treatment goals. I work with clients who struggle with OCD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and phobias. I also work with clients who are struggling to adjust to changes in their lives, such as a new job, starting college, moving to a new place, the end of a relationship, etc. I like to collaborate with clients to create a treatment plan that meets the client's goals. I strive to provide clients with the tools they need so they can apply those skills to every day life.

I have provided counseling and therapy services in various capacities for over 25 years. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, attachment issues, parenting, and grief. I have experience working with individuals, couples, families and children. I have worked in both agency and private practice settings with a diverse range of individuals. Specific areas of specialization: Trauma, Anxiety, Obsessive compulsive thoughts (OCD), and Grief .

Are you tired of it yet? The relentless anxiety, repetitive compulsive behaviors, and endless fear of social judgment can make the world seem like a daunting place. But there is hope. These struggles are more than just challenges; they are profound experiences that deeply affect your sense of self and connection to others. You are not alone in this. Many have felt this way, believing they were beyond help, but there is a path forward. Together, we can embark on a journey towards reclaiming your freedom allowing you to step into a life unburdened by the chains of your struggles. You don't have to live this way anymore. Let's do this.

Fred Rogers says, "Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary." I would love to work with you if you are ready to make your problems mentionable, and together we can work towards making them manageable.

I specialize in treating anxiety, OCD, and depression. If you are struggling with obsessive thoughts, feel out of control, or find yourself confused by your identity, emotions, behaviors, or relationships, I am here to help.

I believe that meaningful change begins by creating a strong and authentic connection. I work in a collaborative manner with clients to help them grow and heal. I welcome clients from all walks of life and backgrounds. I am a trained generalist, which means I see most presenting concerns. I work with adults & teens presenting with a variety of concerns, including but not limited to: trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. I teach healthy coping skills, increase insight, and help resolve difficult feelings and make peace with hardship.

I am an LSW clinician with experience working with adults with a variety of mental health concerns. Common areas of focus in my sessions include symptoms of OCD, phobias, panic disorder and other anxiety disorders, PTSD, and depression. I am also passionate about working with clients experiencing relationship conflict, communication issues, and destabilizing life transitions. I am allied with the trans and nonbinary communities. I enjoy working with clients to explore social and medical transitions, and can write surgery referral letters for gender affirming surgeries.

My approach is primarily cognitive behavioral and I have over thirty years of experience. I work mostly with adults with depression and anxiety disorders. OCD is a special interest, and I use exposure and response prevention. I believe that with patience, a positive outlook and good rapport, much is possible.

Accepting new clients! Your neurodivergence makes you feel "other" and "on the outside" in a world that is set up for neutrotypicals. The consistent pressure to function as if your brain is not different makes day-to-day life so exhausting you could burst. You are starting to come to terms with the fact that your intrusive thoughts and compulsions may actually be OCD, but you have no idea where to start with something that feels so big. You are tired of pretending that your partners aren't your partners when discussing... well, everything. You want to discuss the complexities and nuances of your relationships. ALL of them.

Before you can even grab your coffee the intrusive thoughts and feelings flood in. You struggle to not engage with the negative "What if..." questions that feel like an endless loop in your mind. The need to do compulsions and safety behaviors is on repeat throughout your day. Other people seem connected to their life, moving through it naturally and freely..... You want that too. I hear you! I work with women to help them let go of the doubt and find peace & contentment in their life. I want you to learn how to stop answering the negative "what if..." questions and lean into your values-filled life instead!

Clients describe me as authentic, determined, and insightful. I can offer you direct solutions founded on evidence-based techniques that will help you solve your problems. I can also dive deeper with you to explore the roots behind your troubles and true self. Clients regularly find my combination of skills-based and insight-oriented therapy to be highly effective as it offers both practical utility and depth. For OCD, I specifically use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

My clinical experience began in general private practice, and I later moved on to develop a more specialized treatment approach through an internship with The Center for OCD and Anxiety in August 2020. From there, I transitioned into my roles as Associate Therapist, Intake Manager, and Caregiver Support Group Leader until February 2024. As I believe that effective therapy includes an appropriate balance of empathy, humor, active listening, and proper guidance rooted in evidence-based practices, I utilize an eclectic mix of therapeutic modalities (listed below) to tailor treatment according to the specific needs of each individual.

Accepting new clients! Let's be real, change and life transitions can be terrifying. Especially if they come about suddenly or unwillingly. Struggling with relentless panic, racing anxious thoughts, or paralyzing fear can impact your ability to show up in your life even in the most basic way. Whether your obsessions deal with contamination, checking, intrusive thoughts of harm, moral/religious scrupulosity, or anything else, OCD can often leave a person feeling isolated, trapped, and sometimes terrified of themselves. It can be incredibly overwhelming trying to navigate this all alone.

I have a waitlist. Are you looking to free yourself from anxiety? Are you avoiding places, things, or situations because you might have a panic attack? Are obsessive thoughts and compulsions pulling you further and further away from enjoining your life? Anxiety seems to have a way of creating rules that people need to follow just to keep it all together. The problem is, the more we follow anxiety's rules, the more powerful it becomes. It can start to feel like your life has gotten smaller, more rigid, even less fun as the anxiety continues to grow. If you have found my page, then you are likely hoping to take your life back.

July 2024: I have a waitlist for individual therapy, but I'm currently accepting clients for my groups! Please see more info about group offerings at the bottom of my profile or on my website. I work with individuals who struggle with OCD, eating disorders, or both. I can empower clients who are looking to change patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that lead to life dissatisfaction. I am interested in working with people who need help breaking the cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Additionally, I work well with individuals who are looking to heal their relationship with food, exercise, and their body.