OCD, Panic, and Anxiety: You're Not Alone, And I Can Help

Hello friends,

I'm excited to share that I am expanding my therapy practice to start treating anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). As someone who has struggled with anxiety myself in the past, I understand how debilitating these conditions can be and I'm looking forward to helping clients find relief.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting over 40 million adults in the U.S. alone (1). They are characterized by excessive and persistent worry, fear, or anxiety that interferes with daily life. Symptoms can include feeling restless, tense, or on-edge; difficulty concentrating; irritability; sleep disturbances; and panic attacks. While occasional anxiety is normal, individuals with anxiety disorders experience symptoms more frequently and intensely (2).

The gold-standard treatment approach I will be using for anxiety disorders is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that has decades of research supporting its effectiveness for conditions like OCD, panic disorder, and GAD (3). It works by gradually exposing individuals to their fears or anxiety triggers in a safe, controlled setting. Over time, they learn new ways of responding to triggers that prevent anxiety and associated compulsions or avoidance behaviors. For example, someone with contamination OCD would slowly confront fears around germs while refraining from compulsive hand washing. Or someone with panic disorder would practice entering situations that induce panic without escaping or avoiding the situation. Multiple studies show that 70-90% of individuals with anxiety disorders significantly improve with ERP treatment (4).

As a therapist, I create a warm, non-judgemental environment where clients can feel safe opening up about their anxiety. I take the time to understand each individual’s unique symptoms and work collaboratively to develop a tailored ERP treatment plan. Together, we’ll face fears gradually and practice managing anxiety in healthier ways. I’ll provide coaching and support each step of the way.

My goal is to help every client reduce their anxiety symptoms, improve functioning in work, relationships and other areas of life, and develop lasting coping skills. If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, panic attacks, constant worry or other anxiety symptoms, I encourage you to reach out. I’m now accepting new clients in my practice and would be happy to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Warm regards,

Christian Gray Hering, LCSW

Sources:

1. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety

2. https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety

3. https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/treatment/erp/

4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28856501/