All of our clinicians specialize in evidence-based approaches for anxiety disorders and OCD. In addition, many of us provide services across a range of specialty areas. Scroll down to learn more.

Nail biting, skin picking, & hair pulling

Gender dysphoria & Anxiety related to gender identity

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors intended to reduce distress (compulsions).

Anxiety disorders are defined by persistent and uncontrollable worry (e.g., “What if…?”) and avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations. Anxiety disorders may include generalized worries (e.g., school, health, safety), anxiety about social interactions, or about separating from caregivers.

Panic attacks are sudden experiences of intense fear. Panic attacks can occur randomly or in response to specific triggers (e.g., being in a crowded space). Though panic attacks are not life-threatening, they are scary and uncomfortable and can lead people to avoid situations in which panic attacks have happened in the past.

Phobias include intense and irrational fears, commonly related to animals, insects, heights, driving, flying, water, dental or medical procedures, and elevators.

Social skills challenges involve difficulties making and keeping friends, including struggles in entering conversations, trading information, resolving conflict, using good sportsmanship skills, and dealing with teasing and bullying.

Behavioral challenges include talking back, non-compliance, verbal and physical aggression, and property destruction.

Nail biting, hair pulling, and skin picking are classified as body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). BFRBs are compulsive grooming behaviors that cause discomfort or damage to a person’s body.

Tics (commonly associated with Tourette Syndrome) are sudden, repetitive body movements and sounds that are difficult to control.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is defined by intense focus on a perceived flaw in one’s physical appearance (e.g., crooked nose). Individuals with BDD may spend hours of their day thinking about their appearance, engage in compulsive behaviors to hide or modify aspects of their appearance, and avoid social situations in which they might be exposed.

Perinatal anxiety, OCD, and PTSD are experienced by women during or immediately after their pregnancy. They are characterized by extreme anxiety, distress, or intrusive thoughts related to labor and delivery and/or the safety of their child.

A traumatic event is defined as an event in which an individual witnesses or experiences a serious injury, or the threat of serious injury or death, including sexual violence. Common responses to traumatic events include intense emotions, intrusive memories, avoidance, and physiological reactions in response to trauma reminders. Bereavement is defined as intense grief after the death of someone close to an individual, commonly a parent, grandparent, sibling, or close friend. Trauma and bereavement may occur together, depending on the nature of the loss.

Sleep challenges involve difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking too early.

Gender dysphoria involves distress or discomfort about one’s gender identity being different than one’s sex assigned at birth. This can include wanting to look and dress in ways associated with a different gender, wanting to be rid of secondary sex characteristics, dissatisfaction with one’s body, and/or wanting to be addressed with pronouns or a name associated with a different gender or no gender at all. Feeling that one identifies with a different gender is not an illness or a problem. But the challenges of living in a world where gender is often treated as a binary can create intense stress, anxiety, and unhappiness for many people.