OCD Therapy
With Cecily Anders
I'm an OCD therapist who has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder myself.
I know these symptoms are intense and painful. I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) because it is the gold standard in helping people break free from OCD’s grip.
Do you spend hours trying to figure out the answers to OCD’s endless questions?
Have you tried to make painful thoughts stop, only to have them come back even stronger?
OCD isn’t about the thoughts themselves, but the cycle of doubt and behaviors that result from the need for certainty. When these thoughts appear, it’s natural to feel an urgent need to find an answer or to reassure yourself. But the harder you push them away, the “stickier” they become.
Clients Come To Me When They:
Spend hours focused on painful thoughts
Repeat rituals
Seek reassurance
Are stuck in doubt
Have recurring thoughts about harming themselves or others
Worry that they are with the wrong partner
Fear contamination
Worried about what happens after death
Can’t finish their work
Can’t leave their house
Argue with family members
Fear they might lose control
Avoid what matters
Have a dual diagnosis such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis and/or BDD that they want to treat with one provider
OCD looks different from person to person.
Whether you're struggling with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, avoidance, or a combination of symptoms, therapy can help you step out of the OCD cycle.
How OCD Therapy With Me Works
The goal of therapy isn't to eliminate unwanted thoughts. Everyone has strange, uncomfortable, or unwanted thoughts. The difference with OCD is that your brain tells you those thoughts must be solved before you can move on.
Together, we'll change your relationship with uncertainty instead of constantly chasing reassurance. You'll learn that OCD loses its power when you stop feeding the cycle.
Modalities I Use
-
The gold standard treatment for OCD. ERP helps you gradually face feared situations without relying on compulsions or reassurance so your brain can learn that uncertainty is safe.
-
ACT helps you become less hooked by intrusive thoughts so you can spend more time living according to your values instead of your fears.
-
DBT builds skills for managing overwhelming emotions, tolerating distress, and responding thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
-
Parents can learn to accommodate their child’s anxiety less while also boosting their child’s confidence in their ability to handle anxiety.
-
Even if you’re an adult, family members can participate in learning about how to treat OCD. The more people who know what will help you, the faster you will heal.
Throughout therapy we'll work together to:
Recognize OCD patterns
Reduce compulsions
Practice sitting with uncertainty
Build resilience
Return to your values
Spend more time living your life
Reconnect with your family
“I was misdiagnosed for years and in fact, some of the treatments I received actually made my symptoms worse. I know the balance that’s required to help you understand which therapy and tools to use for clients who have a dual-diagnosis.”
My approach is collaborative, encouraging, and tailored to you. Therapy is challenging at times, but it should also feel hopeful. Clients often tell me they appreciate that we can laugh together, even while doing difficult work.
The Goal Isn’t Perfection
As OCD becomes quieter, clients often notice changes that reach far beyond their symptoms.
After Working With Me, Clients Report:
Less time lost to OCD
Fewer compulsions
Quieter thoughts
More confidence
Better relationships
Greater freedom
More meaningful days
Easier decision making
“I used ERP and ACT to help my own OCD. I firmly believe in this treatment because it works.”
About Cecily Anders
Living with OCD changed the way I practice therapy. I know what it's like to question your own mind and feel trapped in endless cycles of doubt. I also know recovery is possible because I've experienced it myself.
My therapy is designed around evidence-based treatment while recognizing that every person experiences OCD differently. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. I'm a creative person, so I enjoy tailoring treatments to fit each individual.
Over the years, I've become known among other therapists for accepting more complex cases. My training spans hospitals, residential treatment, veterans' services, family therapy, and outpatient CBT practices. Whether you're living with OCD alone or alongside another diagnosis, I'm comfortable working with complexity.
Outside of therapy, I'm a writer, my husband is a pianist, and many of my clients work in creative fields. I understand how creative minds can also become inventive at creating doubt and pain.
I also share my home with my Goldendoodle, Lucky, who loves to run and snuggle.
Availability: I provide in-person therapy in Ithaca, NY, and virtual therapy via telehealth for clients across New York, Colorado and Pennsylvania.
Education, Credentials, and Trainings
Golden Bear Sleep and Mood Research Clinic, University of California, Berkeley
PsyD, Baylor University (2016)
Research, Baylor University Couples Conflict Lab
Internship, Hutchings Psychiatric Center
Postdoctoral Training, Soho CBT + Mindfulness Center, New York City
Training at the Veterans Administration, an adolescent residential treatment facility, juvenile detention, outpatient clinics, and inpatient psychiatric settings
Additional experience at SUNY Upstate Medical University Counseling Center
Supervisor of graduate psychology students in CBT and psychological assessment
I receive annual continuing education training from the International OCD Foundation
3 Steps To Get Started
-
Reach out through my contact form. I'll personally respond and answer any questions you have.
-
We'll schedule a brief consultation to discuss what's been happening and determine whether we're a good fit.
-
We'll identify your OCD patterns, build a treatment plan together, and begin helping you break free from the cycle that's been keeping you stuck.