HOW I HELP
Understanding OCD & Anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anxiety Disorders are common yet often misunderstood mental health conditions. They can significantly impact one’s daily life, relationships, and well-being, but with the right understanding and treatment, people can find meaningful relief and lead fulfilling lives.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterized by recurring, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) that individuals feel driven to perform to reduce distress. These compulsions offer temporary relief but often reinforce the cycle of obsessions. Common obsessions include fears of contamination, harming others, or needing things to be "just right." Compulsions may involve checking, counting, or washing. Without treatment, OCD can take up considerable time and energy, interfering with daily life.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but anxiety disorders go beyond ordinary worry or nervousness. They include conditions such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and specific phobias. Symptoms vary but often involve persistent fear or worry, physical symptoms (like rapid heartbeat, sweating, or muscle tension), and avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic, excessive worry about various aspects of life.
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Panic Disorder: Sudden episodes of intense fear, often accompanied by physical symptoms, known as panic attacks.
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Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social situations or fear of judgment.
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Phobias: Irrational fear of specific objects (dogs, spiders) or situations (flying, vomiting)
Treatment and Hope
Both OCD and anxiety disorders are treatable through evidence-based approaches, including I-CBT (inference based cognitive behavioral therapy), ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
STRENGTH IN FAMILY
I provide treatment for both children (ages 10 and older) and adults, offering bilingual services in both English and Spanish to ensure accessibility and effective communication. My approach frequently incorporates family involvement, as I believe that including loved ones in the treatment process can greatly enhance outcomes. By involving the family, I facilitate better emotion processing, promote validation, and offer practical support that extends beyond individual therapy sessions. This collaborative approach not only empowers the individual seeking treatment but also strengthens the family unit, creating an environment that supports lasting growth, resilience, and understanding for everyone involved. Some of the treatments I provide, such as SPACE, Family Wellbeing Approach and EFFT, are models where the family or caregivers are the ones doing most of the work.
EMPOWERED & RESILIENT
My approach focuses on empowering individuals to break free from maladaptive coping mechanisms such as compulsions, rumination, and overthinking. I achieve this by incorporating evidence-based therapeutic methods, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), and Inference-Based Behavioral Therapy (IBT). Through these specialized approaches, clients learn to confront and reduce unhelpful thought patterns, build resilience, and develop healthier ways to manage anxiety and related challenges. My goal is to equip individuals with the tools and confidence they need to navigate life more effectively, fostering long-term growth and well-being.
