cognitive behavior therapy
OCD Specialist Near Me:
Effective Therapy for Contamination OCD
If you're looking for an expert in OCD therapy, you're in the right spot.
With more than ten years of experience as a licensed therapist, I focus on helping individuals overcome the challenges of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including struggles with contamination and cleanliness fears.
Understanding Contamination OCD
Contamination OCD is characterized by overwhelming fears about dirt, germs, toxins, or other contaminants. People with this type of OCD often feel that they are at risk of illness, infection, or harm from things that others may not even think twice about.
Common fears include:
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Germs, bacteria, or viruses
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Harm from contact with chemicals or drugs
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Touching or being near certain objects or surfaces
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Contaminating others
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Becoming unclean or unsafe in some way
Individuals may respond to these obsessions with compulsive actions like frequent hand washing, cleaning rituals, or avoiding certain places or people altogether. These behaviors provide temporary relief but ultimately reinforce the cycle of anxiety and obsession.
Therapy can provide relief from the constant cycle of anxiety and intrusive thoughts associated with OCD. I use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help clients challenge their obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviors.
Signs of Contamination OCD
1. Excessive Hand Washing or Cleaning
Frequent hand washing, showering and cleaning rituals to feel "safe or "pure", often due to the fear of germs, dirt, or harmful substances. These rituals can be time consuming and interfere with daily life.
2. Avoidance of Certain Places or People
Avoidance of certain locations, objects or people you believe are contaminated. You may steer clear of public restrooms, touching doorknobs or physical contact with others
3. Overwhelming Thoughts About Germs & Contaminants
You may constantly worry about germs and contaminants in your environment to the point where it interferes with everyday activities. Many find themselves hypervigilant, constantly monitoring the world around them and feeling consumed with washing and cleaning routines.
4. Repetitive Checking and Reassurance-Seeking
People with contamination OCD may repeatedly check if they have touched something “contaminated” or ask others for reassurance about whether they have been exposed to harmful substances.
5. Rituals to “Neutralize” Contamination
To alleviate anxiety, individuals may engage in specific rituals, like using a certain number of disinfectant wipes, avoiding touching certain items in a specific order, or placing items in “safe” areas.
6. Fear of Contaminating Others
Some people with contamination OCD have a heightened fear that they might unknowingly contaminate others, leading them to excessively clean shared spaces or avoid interaction with family and friends altogether.
Recovery from OCD
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1 / How do I make an appointment?Complete the Potential Client Form and I will be in touch with you within 24 hours to set up a consultation call. If we are a fit, we will will book an intake session from there. After our initial meeting, most clients meet with me weekly for 45-minute sessions, ideally at the same day and a time each week. We will meet more or less depending on your needs. If you need to change your appointment time or cancel, I require 48 hours notice to avoid a full session charge.
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2 / How much does therapy cost and do you take insurance?My fees are $340 per 60 minute initial assessment session and $255 per 45-minute therapy session. I am an out-of-network provider for all insurance panels. If you have a PPO you may be eligible for out of network benefits and I will submit electronic claims on your behalf so that you may be partially reimbursed for your CBT sessions. You can contact your insurance company directly to find out more information about your out of network coverage.
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3 / Do you offer in-person/face -to-face sessions?YES! It has been so good to be back in the office! I offer both in person and online therapy. My in person office is in Campbell, CA, serving the Silicon Valley region. I can provide online therapy to residents throughout California.
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4 / Do you work with children and teens?Most of my therapy clients are adults, young adults and older teenagers. I don’t often work with children under age 11 but if you feel your child could be a good fit for me I am happy to speak with you. I also offer Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) treatment for parents seeking to help their children with anxiety disorders and OCD.
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5 / What will our sessions be like?CBT is more structured than other types of therapy. We will start by setting an agenda and intention for the session. Then the majority of our session time will be spent on discussing your problems and applying CBT interventions. We will end with an action plan for you to take into your week. CBT, is at its core, flexible and collaborative so we will tailor our sessions to your needs.
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6 / How long does therapy take?It truth is that treatment length varies a lot! The severity of your symptoms and how long you've had them , your motivation to work outside of session, and your life circumstances will all factor in to treatment length. Most clients start to feel some noticeable relief within three months and may achieve their goals by six months. For others it can take a year or more.
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7 / What is a Good Faith Estimate?You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Why is it important to work with an OCD specialist?
Specialized Expertise: An OCD specialist has specific training in evidence-based treatments for OCD, such as Exposure and Response Prevention. Many therapies that help with other disorderes like anxiety and depression can actually make OCD worse.
Personalized Treatment: OCD specialists develop personalized treatment plans that address your unique symptoms, triggers, and goals. This individualized approach is crucial in OCD treatment, where one-size-fits-all methods may not be effective.
In-Depth Understanding: OCD specialists have a deep understanding of the complexities of OCD, including its various subtypes and how it can show up differently in individuals.
Proven Track Record: Choosing an OCD specialist means opting for a professional who has successfully helped many others overcome OCD symptoms. Effective treatment is within reach!
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1 / How do I make an appointment?Complete the Potential Client Form and I will be in touch with you within 24 hours to set up a consultation call. If we are a fit, we will will book an intake session from there. After our initial meeting, most clients meet with me weekly for 45-minute sessions, ideally at the same day and a time each week. We will meet more or less depending on your needs. If you need to change your appointment time or cancel, I require 48 hours notice to avoid a full session charge.
-
2 / How much does therapy cost and do you take insurance?My fees are $340 per 60 minute initial assessment session and $255 per 45-minute therapy session. I am an out-of-network provider for all insurance panels. If you have a PPO you may be eligible for out of network benefits and I will submit electronic claims on your behalf so that you may be partially reimbursed for your CBT sessions. You can contact your insurance company directly to find out more information about your out of network coverage.
-
3 / Do you offer in-person/face -to-face sessions?YES! It has been so good to be back in the office! I offer both in person and online therapy. My in person office is in Campbell, CA, serving the Silicon Valley region. I can provide online therapy to residents throughout California.
-
4 / Do you work with children and teens?Most of my therapy clients are adults, young adults and older teenagers. I don’t often work with children under age 11 but if you feel your child could be a good fit for me I am happy to speak with you. I also offer Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) treatment for parents seeking to help their children with anxiety disorders and OCD.
-
5 / What will our sessions be like?CBT is more structured than other types of therapy. We will start by setting an agenda and intention for the session. Then the majority of our session time will be spent on discussing your problems and applying CBT interventions. We will end with an action plan for you to take into your week. CBT, is at its core, flexible and collaborative so we will tailor our sessions to your needs.
-
6 / How long does therapy take?It truth is that treatment length varies a lot! The severity of your symptoms and how long you've had them , your motivation to work outside of session, and your life circumstances will all factor in to treatment length. Most clients start to feel some noticeable relief within three months and may achieve their goals by six months. For others it can take a year or more.
-
7 / What is a Good Faith Estimate?You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
About CAITLYN
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. I have been working as a therapist since 2009, specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders. Before starting my own practice in 2021 I worked at a specialty anxiety/OCD group practice for many years, as well as community mental health, and school settings.
My practice is located in Campbell, CA in the South SF Bay Area, near San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Cupertino.
I have been working primarily with clients struggling with anxiety since 2012. Read more about my speciality training here.
My approach to anxiety and OCD treatment is compassionate and personalized. This work is challenging but we will go at your pace and focus on the symptoms that are getting in the way of your life.
Ready to get started or have more questions?
