Frequently asked questions

If you're struggling with intrusive thoughts, anxiety, low mood, or just a sense that something feels off — therapy can help. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit. Many people come to us feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what they're experiencing. Therapy and assessment are currently waitlist only. You can join the waitlist through the contact page and we will reach out when an opening becomes available.

The first session is a thorough intake — not a typical therapy session. Your clinician will ask about your history, current concerns, goals, and what's brought you in now. It's a chance for both of you to get to know each other and begin building a picture of what care might look like for you.

When an appropriate opening becomes available, we may offer a brief complimentary phone consultation to help determine whether the practice and available services are a good fit for your needs.

It depends on your goals and the nature of what you're working on. Some people notice meaningful change in 12–20 sessions; others benefit from longer-term work. Progress in OCD treatment often looks like being able to do more of what matters — not necessarily feeling less anxious, but being less controlled by anxiety. We'll discuss realistic expectations early on and revisit your progress regularly.

OCD involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts done to reduce distress (compulsions). It's often misunderstood — OCD isn't just about cleanliness or organization. It can involve fears about harm, religion, relationships, sexuality, health, and much more. If intrusive thoughts are causing significant distress and you're spending time trying to neutralize or avoid them, it's worth speaking with a specialist.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD. It involves gradually approaching feared situations or thoughts while choosing not to perform compulsions. The goal is not to prove a thought wrong or make anxiety disappear — it is to practice noticing distress and uncertainty without treating them as commands, so you can keep moving toward what matters to you.

ERP can feel challenging — it asks you to sit with discomfort rather than escape it. But it's done gradually, collaboratively, and at a pace that's right for you. Most people find that the discomfort is more manageable than they expected, and that being able to live more fully — without OCD setting the limits — is what makes the work worthwhile. Your clinician will never push you faster than you're ready to go.

No. Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that can feel disturbing precisely because they conflict with a person's values or intentions. In OCD, trying to determine with complete certainty what a thought means can become part of the OCD cycle. Treatment focuses on changing how you respond to intrusive thoughts rather than proving or disproving their content.

Yes. Compulsions can be internal, including reviewing memories, replaying conversations, mentally checking feelings, seeking certainty, or trying to replace an unwanted thought. These strategies may bring brief relief while keeping the OCD cycle going. Treatment can address both visible and mental rituals.

Yes. We are in-network with Optum, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, and Carelon Behavioral Health. If you have a different plan, we can provide a superbill — a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

A superbill is an itemized receipt that includes all the information your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network claim. We provide these upon request. Reimbursement rates vary by plan — we recommend calling your insurance to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits before your first session.

Session fees vary depending on the type of service and clinician. We're happy to discuss fees when we connect. For those using insurance, your cost will depend on your specific plan's copay, coinsurance, and deductible.

Assessment can help clarify attention and executive-function concerns — including ADHD assessment for adults — learning differences, diagnostic questions, and the ways anxiety, OCD, mood, trauma-related symptoms, sleep, or other factors may be affecting daily life. The goal is a thoughtful, individualized understanding rather than a quick label.

The process typically begins with a clinical interview and a review of your concerns and history. Depending on the referral question, it may include questionnaires, standardized testing, and collateral information when appropriate. You will receive guidance about the process and next steps along the way.

Yes. Feedback is an important part of the process. Results are reviewed in clear, practical language, with attention to strengths, areas of difficulty, and recommendations that can support treatment, school, work, or daily functioning when appropriate.

Yes. We offer online therapy and telehealth sessions to clients anywhere in California. Online therapy in California is conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Many clients find it just as effective as in-person therapy — and far more convenient.

Our office is located at 1849 Sawtelle Blvd, Ste 610, Los Angeles, CA 90025. In-person sessions are available for clients in the greater LA area. Telehealth is available to anyone in California.

We ask for at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a session. Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a fee. We understand that life happens — please reach out as soon as possible if you need to change an appointment.