Specialties
OCD in Teens and Young Adults
Intrusive thoughts are a symptom. They are not who you are.
Who This Is For
For teens, college students and young adults
Maybe you check the stove five times, redo homework until it feels just right, or replay a conversation for hours to make sure you didn't say something wrong.
OCD can make you feel like a bad or strange person. You are neither. I work with teens ages 12 and up and young adults located in New York State, and with the parents who want to help.
What We Work On
Patterns we work with
Checking
Locks, appliances, messages or reassurance from others.
Counting and order
Needing things to be even, aligned or done a set number of times.
Just right feelings
Redoing tasks until the discomfort fades.
Mental replaying
Reviewing past events in your head looking for certainty.
Avoidance
Skipping places, people or tasks that set off the thoughts.
How I Work
Changing how you respond to the thoughts
CBT
We map your cycle, look at what the compulsions are protecting you from and practice gradually responding differently, at a pace you agree to.
DBT
DBT skills help you tolerate the discomfort that shows up when you don't do the compulsion, and manage stress around school and friends.
What Sessions Look Like
Fitting therapy around classes
- Where
- Virtual, from anywhere in New York State
- Length
- 45 to 50 minutes
- When
- Day, evening and weekend times
Video sessions work from a dorm room, a car or home. We can meet in the day, evening or on weekends. Alongside OCD itself, we talk about school, friendships and growing independence.
The goal is a life where OCD gets less of your time and attention.
What Can Shift
- Less time spent on rituals
- More confidence handling uncertainty
- Room for classes, friends and the things you enjoy
These are hopes we work toward together, not guarantees.
Understanding OCD
The cycle
- 1
Intrusive thought
- 2
Anxiety
- 3
Compulsion
- 4
Short relief
A thought arrives, anxiety spikes, and a compulsion brings short relief. That relief teaches the brain to repeat the loop. Therapy works on loosening it.
How parents can be involved
For teens, parents may join some sessions to learn how to respond to reassurance seeking and how to support practice at home. Young adults decide how much family involvement they want.
Fees in Brief
$175
Individual therapy, 45 to 50 minutes
Weekly virtual sessions for individual work focusing on counseling, coping skill development and goal achievement.
Sessions that include parents and teen together are family sessions, at $195.
All sessions are private pay. Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement. I am in network with Northwell Direct.
See all rates and the cancellation policyQuestions