Is virtual therapy effective?
Yes—virtual therapy has been shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy for many people, especially when working on issues like OCD, anxiety, and life transitions. I use secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom to ensure privacy and connection. Many clients find virtual sessions more flexible and accessible.

What is ERP and how does it help with OCD?
ERP stands for Exposure and Response Prevention, the gold standard treatment for OCD. It involves gradually facing anxiety-provoking situations (exposures) while resisting the urge to do compulsions (response prevention). Over time, this helps retrain your brain to tolerate distress without relying on rituals or avoidance.

What do the first few sessions of ERP look like?
In the first few sessions, we’ll focus on getting to know you—your symptoms, goals, and how OCD shows up in your life. We’ll talk about how ERP works and start building your “fear hierarchy,” a collaborative list of situations or thoughts that trigger anxiety or compulsions, ranked from least to most distressing. You’ll never be pushed into anything too quickly—this is a structured, step-by-step process designed to help you feel prepared and supported. Before we begin exposures, we’ll make sure you fully understand the process and have tools to manage discomfort with care and confidence.

How do I know if I have OCD or just anxiety?
OCD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can feel similar, but there are important differences. With OCD, anxiety is usually triggered by specific intrusive thoughts or fears (called “obsessions”), which then lead to compulsions—repetitive behaviors or mental rituals done to feel safer or reduce distress. These can include things like checking, avoiding, counting, or seeking reassurance. The relief from compulsions is usually short-term, and the cycle starts again.

With GAD, the worry tends to be broader, more constant, and less connected to specific rituals. People with GAD often describe a sense of “free-floating” worry that can jump from topic to topic, without the urge to perform specific behaviors to neutralize it.

If you're noticing that anxiety leads you to perform behaviors to get rid of a feeling, thought, or doubt, especially in repetitive ways, OCD may be playing a role.

What insurance do you accept?
I accept several insurance plans either directly or through Headway, including United Healthcare (Optum), Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Aetna, Magellan, and more. You can check my Fees & Insurance page for the most current information, or reach out and I can help verify your benefits.

Do you work with teens or adults?
Yes—I work with both teens (12+) and adults. I enjoy supporting emerging adults and young professionals, especially those navigating stress, identity shifts, or perfectionism.

How long does therapy take?
It depends on your goals and the issues you're working on. Some clients come in with specific challenges and work through them in a few months, while others choose to stay longer for deeper growth. We’ll regularly check in to make sure therapy feels helpful and aligned with your needs.

Can I use therapy to just explore or process without a diagnosis?
Absolutely. You don't need a formal diagnosis or crisis to benefit from therapy. Many clients use sessions to process transitions, unpack past experiences, or simply get to know themselves better in a structured and supportive space.