OCD Therapist Los Angeles

OCD THERAPY in PASADENA, CA

Takeaway: If you’re struggling with distressing thoughts and behaviors, you’re not alone. As an OCD specialist in Los Angeles, I help people get to the root of their challenging thoughts and make real changes to find lasting relief. Get in touch today to start the process. 

ocd therapist los angeles
ocd therapy los angeles

Understanding OCD

If you live with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you know how painful, exhausting, and overwhelming it can be. The thoughts and behaviors that come along with OCD can take up a significant amount of mental energy and have a negative impact on your quality of life.

For those less familiar with OCD, let's take a look at what exactly it is.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), OCD is a mental health issue characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that cause feelings of anxiety. Common examples of OCD obsessions include germs, losing control, aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself, and more.

Compulsions are the repetitive behaviors a person engages in to ease the anxiety that comes along with unwanted thoughts. Common compulsions include excessive handwashing, compulsive counting, mentally repeating certain words, and more.

People without OCD may experience intrusive thoughts or engage in repetitive behaviors from time to time. However, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder experience more intense, pervasive symptoms to the point where their quality of life suffers.

Thankfully, treatment can help significantly.

ocd specialist los angeles

Meet Sally Stephens, Ph.D., J.D., Psy.D. | OCD therapist in Pasadena

Hi, I'm Dr. Sally Stephens.

 I'm a licensed clinical psychologist and OCD specialist in Los Angeles. I have over thirty years of experience working as a therapist, and I'm passionate about helping people with OCD find peace and ease in their daily lives.

Before completing my doctoral program and earning my psychologist license nearly a decade ago, I started my career as a marriage and family therapist. This training and experience gave me valuable insight into how mental health issues can affect relationships, and how healing relationships can be when we're struggling.

I'm also trained as a psychoanalyst, and I enjoy helping clients reflect on their conscious and unconscious drives so they can understand where their obsessions and compulsions come from. Armed with this insight, we can make real progress toward true relief.

I work with adults of all ages and backgrounds, and telehealth allows me to connect with people across the entire state of California. While my rich professional experience has given me a strong sense of which therapeutic methods to employ at various times, I also collaborate with each of my clients to tailor sessions to your needs, preferences, values, and goals.

Why work with me for OCD counseling in Los Angeles

I believe that finding the right fit is one of the most important elements of effective treatment. Here are a few reasons to consider working with me.

01

I have over three decades of experience.

I've been in practice for over 30 years, so I'm confident in treating OCD and related disorders (including anxiety disorders). I've always been passionate about helping people learn more about themselves, and being a therapist for over three decades has allowed me to hone that craft.

02

I'm trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches.

I've committed to continued education, and I've received specialized training in several treatment methods, including psychoanalysis. I also use psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in my work with clients.

03

I can help people across California.

Thanks to virtual therapy, we can work together even if you're not located in Los Angeles itself. I'm licensed to work with people statewide, and virtual sessions allow you to access OCD counseling services from wherever is most comfortable and convenient for you.

When to consider working with another practice

I'm open to working with adults of all ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, and more. At the same time, my services might not be the right fit for everyone. Here are some reasons to consider working with a different clinician.

Your symptoms require alternative care.

While some cases of OCD can be treated with outpatient therapy, a higher level of care may be required if your symptoms are more severe. In some cases, medication may also be recommended.

You need free therapy.

While I recognize the need for affordable therapy options, I'm unable to provide no-cost sessions at this time. I'm an out-of-network provider, so I can give you a statement to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

You're looking for in-person therapy.

My practice is entirely virtual at this time. Thankfully, research shows that online therapy is highly effective. This includes OCD and anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. Virtual therapy is also entirely confidential and many people find it more convenient than in-person therapy. However, if you're still interested in in-person sessions, I recommend connecting with a different provider.

You're not ready to commit to the therapeutic process.

It's natural to want a quick fix or easy solution, especially because OCD symptoms can be so distressing. However, true healing takes time. If you're not ready or able to attend regular, consistent therapy sessions, it will be difficult to make progress toward your goals.

therapy for ocd los angeles

FAQs about therapy for OCD in Los Angeles

  • Therapists can have different kinds of credentials. Licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and licensed psychologists are some of the most common types of mental health professionals.

    Most of these clinicians have master's degrees in their field, while psychologists have doctoral degrees. All therapists have thousands of hours of supervised experience and coursework.

    When searching for a therapist, I recommend focusing more on the provider's specialty area, experience, and approach. Check to see that the therapist you choose has worked with people with OCD before, and pay attention to how you feel during the initial consultation or first few sessions.

  • According to some experts, there can be different subtypes of OCD. While these aren't official diagnoses, they can help paint a picture of the various ways in which OCD can manifest.

    Common subtypes include:

    • Checking

    • Contamination

    • Hoarding

    • Indecisiveness

    • Just right

    One subtype isn't necessarily harder to treat than another. These subtypes represent the different ways in which symptoms can affect people. Since they aren't separate disorders, treatment is relatively the same.

  • Yes, OCD treatment is worth it. In my firsthand experience as a therapist, I've seen many clients get to the root of their challenges, find relief from anxiety symptoms, and learn new ways of coping that significantly improve their quality of life.

    Research also shows how effective therapy can be for OCD. Check out this study on using exposure response prevention therapy (ERP) to treat OCD and this study on using acceptance and commitment therapy as an OCD treatment.

Start working with an OCD specialist in LOS ANGELES today.

Ready to get started? I'm here to support you through the entire process. In therapy, you'll get to the root of your symptoms and learn how to make peace with your thoughts. Reach out today for your free consultation.