Specialty Areas

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a serious and often debilitating mental health condition that can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. It occurs when a person becomes caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions.

• Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that create significant distress.

• Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts a person feels driven to perform in an attempt to reduce the distress caused by obsessions or to prevent something feared from happening.

 

While many people experience occasional unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors, OCD is different. For a diagnosis, these symptoms must be severe enough to take up significant time (often more than an hour a day), cause intense distress, or interfere with important daily activities, relationships, or values.

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Common Subtypes of OCD
OCD can look different from person to person. Some of the more common presentations include:

• Contamination OCD – Fear of germs, illness, or dirt, often leading to excessive cleaning or avoidance.

• Checking OCD – Repeatedly checking things (e.g., locks, appliances, or safety of loved ones) to prevent harm.

• Symmetry and Ordering OCD – Needing items to be arranged “just right” or performing actions a certain number of times.

• Harm OCD – Intrusive fears of accidentally or intentionally harming oneself or others.

• Sexual or Religious (Scrupulosity) OCD – Disturbing intrusive thoughts about sex, morality, or religion that conflict with one’s values.

• Relationship OCD (ROCD) – Doubts and obsessions about one’s romantic relationship, often leading to reassurance-seeking or mental checking.

Panic Disorder is characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks—sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort that can feel overwhelming and even frightening. These attacks may occur without warning, sometimes even during sleep, and often include symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, or a sense of impending doom.

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People with panic disorder often become preoccupied with the fear of having another attack, which can lead to avoiding certain places, activities, or situations. While panic disorder typically begins in adulthood, children and teens may also experience panic attacks or panic-like symptoms.

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Many individuals feel embarrassed or afraid to talk about their symptoms, worrying that others won’t understand. As a result, they may suffer in silence, isolating themselves from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed. The good news is that panic disorder is highly treatable, and with the right support, people can learn to manage their symptoms and regain confidence in daily life.

Depression is a common but serious mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and functions in daily life. It is more than just temporary sadness—depression often involves persistent feelings of hopelessness, low energy, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that once felt meaningful.

 

Symptoms of depression may include:

• Ongoing sadness or emptiness

• Fatigue and loss of motivation

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness

• Withdrawal from relationships or activities

 

Depression can interfere with school, work, relationships, and overall well-being. The good news is that depression is highly treatable.

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Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for depression. CBT helps individuals recognize and challenge negative thought patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and re-engage in activities that support mood and resilience. Many clients find that CBT not only reduces symptoms but also provides lifelong tools for maintaining mental health.

Social Anxiety Disorder, also called social phobia, is an intense fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in social or performance situations. People with social anxiety often worry about appearing anxious (such as blushing or stumbling over words) or being perceived as awkward, boring, or incompetent. As a result, they may avoid social situations altogether or endure them with significant distress. Many also experience physical symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating, or nausea, and some may have panic attacks when faced with a feared situation.

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Although people with social anxiety disorder often recognize that their fears are excessive, they may feel powerless to control them. Left untreated, social anxiety can interfere with school, work, relationships, and overall quality of life.

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves persistent and excessive worry about a wide range of everyday matters—such as health, finances, work, or family. Unlike typical worry, which comes and goes, the anxiety in GAD is difficult to control and often feels overwhelming. People with GAD frequently describe feeling “on edge” or as though their mind won’t stop racing. Physical symptoms may include restlessness, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

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These worries and physical symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life—making it difficult to focus at work or school, relax with family, or feel at ease in everyday situations. GAD is a chronic condition, but with effective treatment, people can learn to manage worry, reduce symptoms, and regain a sense of balance and calm.

It’s natural to feel uneasy in certain situations—such as standing on a high bridge, getting a shot, or stepping into an old elevator. For most people, these fears are manageable and don’t interfere with daily life. For those with specific phobias, however, the fear is intense, persistent, and overwhelming. Even when they recognize that their fear is irrational, they may feel powerless to control it. This can lead to avoidance of everyday places, objects, or situations—sometimes to the point that it disrupts routines, work, relationships, or overall quality of life.

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Specific phobias often develop in childhood but can also appear suddenly in adolescence or adulthood. They may center on a wide variety of fears, including:

• Animals or insects

• Germs or illness (Health Anxiety)

• Vomiting (Emetophobia)

• Driving (Fear of Driving)

• Flying (Fear of Flying)

• Needles or medical/dental procedures (Fear of Needles)

• Heights or thunderstorms

• Enclosed spaces such as elevators

Even anticipating a feared situation—or simply thinking about it—can trigger significant anxiety or panic. While phobias can feel overwhelming, they are highly treatable with the right support and strategies.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects children, teens, and adults. It is characterized by ongoing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can interfere with daily functioning, school, work, and relationships.

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ADHD symptoms vary from person to person and may include:

• Difficulty sustaining focus or being easily distracted

• Trouble organizing tasks or completing projects

• Restlessness, fidgeting, or difficulty sitting still

• Impulsive decision-making or interrupting others

• Challenges with time management and follow-through

 

There are different presentations of ADHD—some individuals primarily struggle with inattention, others with hyperactivity/impulsivity, and many experience a combination of both.

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While ADHD can create challenges in academic, professional, and personal life, it is also highly treatable. Evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), can help individuals develop practical skills for focus, organization, and emotional regulation, while also building self-confidence and resilience.