Therapy
Individual Psychotherapy​
I view individual psychotherapy as a partnership where the therapist and client work together to identify and address longstanding and current problems that cause distress, psychological pain, and suffering, and impact everyday functioning in multiple settings, including interpersonal, academic, and professional. People may seek psychotherapy because they struggle with relationships, or in academic or professional settings, or because they find it hard to adapt to a change in life circumstances, feel they don't fulfill their potential, or because they struggle with life stressors.
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Is Psychotherapy Helpful?​
Psychotherapy, and particularly research- (or evidence-) based treatments, are effective in alleviating distress and improving quality of life, as well as overall functioning. Psychotherapy may help people reduce the psychological burden and emotional distress, and ultimately result in living a fuller life, where clients are then free to pursue their goals. Psychotherapy also provides 'tools' that aid in managing psychological distress and facilitate adaptive coping. These 'tools' can be a lifelong aid in coping with new and challenging situations. I draw from multiple approaches and techniques with the goal of helping clients undergo meaningful and lasting changes. My approach relies on goals we set together and frequent assessments of our progress towards those goals. To me, honest and direct communication (without long uncomfortable silences and mmm mmm's) with my clients is the best way to achieve meaningful change. ​
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How does it work?​
After the initial 'intake' session, where the goal is to get to know and understand you and the challenges you face, I will share with you what are the core issues I identified, what are the mechanisms that I believe we should work on, and suggest a path forward. As partners, I will offer options for a path forward, and we will decide together what is the best course to take that will bring relief, improve functioning, and grow. Therapy sessions run 50 minutes, and intake sessions run a bit longer.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
I specialize in the comprehensive assessment and evidence-based treatment of adult ADHD.
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What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, self-regulation, executive functioning, and daily functioning. While it is often discussed as an attention problem alone, ADHD meaningfully impacts planning, organization, time management, task initiation (procrastination), follow-through, and emotional regulation — which can interfere with work, academics, relationships, and overall quality of life.
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Why Accurate Assessment Matters
ADHD is one of the most misdiagnosed conditions in clinical psychology. Many other conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, clinical perfectionism, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), can lead to symptoms that look like ADHD (procrastination, difficulty prioritizing, disorganization, avoidance, trouble following through). In addition, ADHD frequently co-occurs with other (comorbid) problems such as anxiety and depression. A careful diagnostic evaluation, including a clinical interview, rating scales, and, when indicated, a Neuropsychological Assessment, helps differentiate ADHD from other causes and leads to better treatment planning and outcomes.
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Professional & Clinical Expertise
I have nearly two decades of clinical, diagnostic, and research expertise in adult ADHD. I have specific expertise in diagnosis and differential diagnosis, distinguishing ADHD from conditions that can look similar, including anxiety disorders, clinical perfectionism, PTSD, and OCD. I also have extensive experience providing evidence-based treatment for ADHD. I offer compassionate, straightforward, no-nonsense CBT therapy that respects your time, stays focused on meaningful change, and avoids passive sessions that don’t move treatment forward.
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Treatment of ADHD
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most empirically supported psychological treatment for ADHD. CBT for ADHD is a structured, goal-focused approach that targets real-life functional challenges (school, career, home, social relationships). Treatment addresses executive functioning difficulties, self-defeating thinking patterns, and emotional distress, while building practical skills to increase effective behavior and follow-through.
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In Summary
ADHD is a complex condition that meaningfully affects functioning and well-being, but with accurate diagnosis and scientifically supported treatment, individuals can learn skills that help them manage symptoms, decrease distress, improve performance, enhance well-being in daily life, and live a full life according to one's values.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
​​I have internationally recognized expertise in OCD and specialize in evidence-based assessment and treatment.
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What is OCD?
OCD is a common mental health condition characterized by recurring intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) that cause anxiety or distress, followed by repetitive behaviors or mental actions (compulsions) performed to reduce that distress. OCD affects approximately 2% of the population, and symptoms can appear in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. ​​Obsessions often include contamination fears, concerns about accidental harm, unwanted taboo thoughts, or an excessive need for order, symmetry, or certainty. Compulsions may involve excessive washing, checking, arranging, repeating behaviors, counting, or avoiding specific situations. Clinical perfectionism is also common in OCD, and many individuals with OCD also experience anxiety disorders, depression, and OCD-related conditions such as body-focused repetitive behaviors.
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Professional & Clinical Expertise
I am internationally recognized for my research and clinical expertise in OCD. I serve on scientific committees for the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and contribute to clinical guidelines, research, training, and assessment initiatives worldwide. My work focuses on OCD mechanisms, comorbidity (especially the overlap between OCD and ADHD), clinical and neuropsychological assessment of OCD, and evidence-based treatment approaches.
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Treatment of OCD
OCD is highly treatable. The most empirically supported psychological treatment for OCD is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ExRP). ExRP gradually helps individuals face feared triggers without performing compulsions, allowing the brain to learn new associations and to naturally reduce distress over time. Treatment is collaborative, paced according to your readiness and tolerance, and focused on meaningful functional improvement.
In cases where diagnostic clarity is needed (for example, to differentiate OCD from ADHD or a question about cognitive functioning), a comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment may be recommended. This helps guide treatment planning and ensures that interventions are matched to each individual’s clinical presentation.
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In Summary
OCD can be debilitating if untreated — but with the right support and evidence-based treatment, you can experience meaningful relief, reduce distress, regain functioning, and move toward the life you want. If you would like more information or are interested in scheduling an appointment, please feel free to contact me.
Clinical Perfectionism
I specialize in the assessment and evidence-based treatment of perfectionism and have published foundational research on the neuropsychology of clinical perfectionism.
What is Perfectionism?
Clinical perfectionism is a maladaptive psychological construct characterized by excessive and persistent pursuit of perfection, often accompanied by a chronic fear of failure and harsh self-criticism. While striving for excellence can be a healthy and motivating factor, clinical perfectionism can lead to significant distress, impaired functioning, and increased risk for various mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders.
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Roots of Clinical Perfectionism
Clinical perfectionism can be traced back to various factors, including genetics, upbringing, and environmental influences. Often, individuals with clinical perfectionism have internalized unrealistic expectations and inflexible standards from their environment, leading to a belief that their self-worth is dependent on their performance outcomes and the ability to achieve perfection, efficiency, and optimization.
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Manifestations of Clinical Perfectionism
Individuals experiencing clinical perfectionism may exhibit an array of behaviors, including excessive attention to detail, procrastination, avoidance of tasks, and negative thoughts and mood. They may also engage in all-or-nothing thinking, where anything less than perfection is deemed as failure, and overgeneralization, where a single negative experience is generalized to other situations.​
Impact on Mental Health and Well-being
Clinical perfectionism can have a significant impact on mental health and well-being. Individuals with clinical perfectionism are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. They are also more likely to have difficulty in relationships, at school, and at work.
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Professional & Clinical Expertise
I published the first neuropsychological study on clinical perfectionism, and I have extensive clinical expertise in evaluating and treating perfectionism in adults and older teens. My clinical approach integrates evidence-based treatments that target perfectionistic thinking patterns, rigid performance rules, and the avoidance that maintains distress and impairment.
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Treatment of Clinical Perfectionism
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of empirically supported therapy that can help you identify and challenge perfectionistic thoughts and behaviors. CBT can also help you develop more realistic expectations of yourself and others. The goal of CBT for perfectionism is NOT to lower one’s high standards — but to allow flexibility so that not every aspect of one’s life is subject to unrealistic rules. Other elements of CBT for perfectionism include exercising self-compassion, mindfulness, and belief testing.
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In Summary
Clinical perfectionism can feel exhausting and relentless — especially when your self-worth becomes tied to performance. With the right support and evidence-based treatment, you can learn to step out of rigid patterns, tolerate imperfection, and move toward a more flexible, balanced life — without lowering your standards or losing your drive. Instead, treatment helps you pursue your goals in a sustainable, values-aligned way. If you’re interested in discussing whether this approach may be right for you, please feel free to contact me.
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I specialize in the assessment and evidence-based treatment of Misophonia, and I have contributed foundational neuropsychological research on this condition.
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What is Misophonia?
Misophonia (sometimes referred to as Selective Sound Sensitivity) involves strong emotional and physiological reactions to specific sounds produced by others — commonly chewing, breathing, sniffling, as well as other sounds such as muffled music, pen clicking, etc. When triggered, you may experience intense anger, disgust, anxiety, or a strong need to escape the situation. These reactions can lead to avoidance, strained relationships, and significant distress in daily life.
Misophonia is frequently misunderstood and often misdiagnosed because it is not yet formally classified in the DSM-5 or ICD-11. However, research clearly demonstrates that Misophonia is real, valid, and can significantly impact functioning and quality of life.
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Professional & Clinical Expertise
​I have contributed foundational neuropsychological research on Misophonia, including the first comprehensive neuropsychological study evaluating cognitive mechanisms associated with this condition. I also have extensive clinical experience assessing and treating Misophonia in adults. This combination of research and clinical expertise allows me to accurately identify Misophonia and provide evidence-based treatment approaches that lead to meaningful symptom reduction and improved daily functioning.
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Treatment of Misophonia
Many individuals experience a meaningful reduction in distress and improved functioning with the right approach — and substantial, sustained improvement is possible. I use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches guided by the inhibitory learning model of exposure. Treatment focuses on increasing flexibility in how you interpret and respond to triggering sounds, challenging rigid beliefs and catastrophic thinking patterns, and gradually learning to tolerate triggers while reducing emotional reactivity and the sense of being 'captured' by the sound. Treatment is collaborative, paced according to your readiness and comfort, and focused on increasing control, resilience, and functioning in real-world situations.
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In Summary
Misophonia can be extremely distressing and isolating — especially when triggers come from the people closest to you, such as a partner or family member. But it is treatable. With evidence-based support, you can reduce distress, regain a sense of control, and improve both daily functioning and your relationships. If you would like to discuss treatment options or have questions about whether this approach may be helpful for you, please feel free to contact me.
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