Mission

The Center for OCD stands by Cognitive Behavior Institute’s mission “To unlock human potential through research-informed, client-directed, and compassionate-counseling, psychological testing, research and education”.

The Center for OCD implements evidence-based practices when assessing and treating individuals who present with symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Exposure and Response Prevention, otherwise known as EX/RP, is a specific form of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) that has proven to be remarkably effective in treating OCD. EX/RP is the primary treatment modality used by all the providers within the Center. A certain class of medication has also shown to be effective with OCD, so we often make referrals to prescribers.

It is important that our client’s feel understood, supported, and informed as we help them confront their fears. We recognize that EX/RP therapy is difficult. Therefore, we administer evidenced based assessments, collaborate with our clients as we formulate individualized treatment plans, explain the efficacy, function, and goals of EX/RP therapy, and request consistent feedback throughout the treatment process. We believe that client-directed, compassionate care is the foundation for effective EX/RP therapy.

CBI’s Center for OCD joins international efforts to spread awareness about OCD and destigmatize OCD. To this end, CBI’s Center for OCD will continue to publish blogs, develop training and EX/RP focused supervision, offer individual and group consultation, individual counseling, and expand our group offerings.

The Center for OCD offers a range of services which includes:

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Trainings
• Individual and group consultation

The Center for OCD is co-led by Nicole Gibson, LPC, NCC (adult-lead) and Allison Aberson, PhD (pediatric-lead). Savannah Straub, LPC, and Brittany Steiner are also integral members of the development and administration of the Center for OCD.

Clinicians provide individual therapy services both virtually and in-person at all three of our locations. Training, consultation, and group therapy is currently provided virtually. Please contact 724-609-5002 for additional information regarding availability of services.

The Center for OCD is frequently researching and utilizing the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment for individuals with OCD. Given our focus on education, awareness, and prevention, we will be providing free resources and presentations each Fall during the International OCD Awareness Week. In addition, we will continue to publish regular blogs, develop training, and EX/RP focused supervision, offer individual and group consultation, individual counseling and expand our group therapy offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OCD?

OCD is a brain and behavior mental health disorder which involves obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are characterized as excessive and repetitive unwanted thoughts, worries, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety or discomfort.

Who can be diagnosed OCD?

OCD affects individuals of all ages, races, and ethnicities. OCD is equally diagnosed in men, women, and children. While OCD symptoms can start at any time, the most common time frames are between 8 – 12 years old or between late teen years and early adulthood.

What causes OCD?

While the specific cause of OCD is unknown, research indicates that there are likely components of genetics, brain structure communication challenges, and an individual’s environment which cause OCD symptoms.

How is OCD diagnosed?

OCD can be diagnosed by trained mental health professionals through assessments and observations of an individual’s symptoms.

Is OCD treatable?

Yes! Psychotherapy and medication, when properly treated, have shown substantial decreases in OCD symptomology for a majority of individuals.

What is Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) Treatment?

Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention is an evidence-based treatment that has demonstrated efficacy and durability in reducing OCD symptom severity. EX/RP is a brief CBT-based treatment that gradually and systematically utilizes exposures to trigger obsessional distress and reduces or eliminates the ability to ritualize in order to reduce fears.

How can I help my loved one?

Compulsions are continuous and repetitive behaviors driven by a strong urge to neutralize the anxiety created by obsessive thoughts and/or images. Obsessions and compulsions are time-consuming and interfere with daily functioning (socially, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, recreationally, educationally, occupationally, vocationally, and financially).

First and foremost, education regarding OCD and OCD treatment is a vital first step for helping your loved one. Family and friends are often part of treatment to varying degrees, so understanding how symptoms are maintained and strategies for symptom reduction are beneficial.

What should I look for in a provider for OCD?

Tips for Finding an OCD Therapist

Once you have made the decision to begin treatment, finding an OCD therapist may feel like an overwhelming process. Being equipped with information about what to look for in an OCD therapist is crucial. Treatment outcomes are influenced by the therapist’s ability to be knowledgeable and deliver high-quality care along with a client’s willingness to take risks and face their fears. Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention (EX/RP) is an evidence-based treatment that has demonstrated efficacy and durability in reducing OCD symptom severity. EX/RP is a brief CBT-based treatment that gradually and systematically uses exposures to trigger obsessional distress while the individual simultaneously refrains from rituals or compulsive behaviors.  

It is important that your therapist is a masters-level therapist or close to becoming one (such as an intern finishing their coursework AND working under someone who specializes in OCD treatment). Therapists and doctors who treat OCD may have these titles and licenses:

• M.D. or D.O. – Indicating they have a medical degree
• Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D – Indicating they have a doctorate degree 
• LPC, LMFT, LCSW – Indicating licensure in the mental health field
• Intern or pre-licensed therapist – Indicating they are close to or have just finished their master’s program

No one of these is a better option than the other. What is more important is that those professionals with or without these titles specialize in OCD and have training that represents that, such as an EX/RP certification (Valentine, 2020).

EX/RP is a highly manualized treatment approach. It is recommended that therapists have some specialized training in this treatment approach. As you are looking for a qualified provider, ask if your therapist is EX/RP certified, in the process, or has plans of becoming certified in the future. The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) provides these recommendations when searching for an OCD therapist: 

• Therapist uses exposure and response prevention as a treatment technique. 
• Therapist mentions EX/RP as a specific form of CBT that is used to treat OCD. 
• Therapist feels confident, and has been effective, in treating OCD using EX/RP therapy.
• It is encouraged that the therapist has had some formal training in EX/RP therapy.
• Therapist is currently treating clients who have an anxiety diagnosis.
• Therapist understands the role that medications have on treating OCD (for some people).  
• Therapist understands the benefits of completing exposures in the community, and shows an openness to conducting these exposures together in therapy sessions (when appropriate). 

*These tips have been adapted from the International OCD Foundation.

Brittany Steiner  

References

Valentine, Keara. (2020). How To Find An OCD Therapist That Does ERP. NOCD. Retrieved from https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/how-to-find-an-ocd-therapist(opens in a new tab)

International OCD Foundation. (2022). How to Find the Right Therapist. IOCDF. Retrieved from https://iocdf.org/ocd-finding-help/how-to-find-the-right-therapist/

OCD Resources

CBI’s OCD providers

EX/RP Certified Therapists:

• 
  Allison Aberson, PhD

  Child Psychologist
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'OCD', 'Phobias', 'Exposures']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Megan Cook, MA, ATR-BC, LPC

  Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Trauma / PTSD', 'LGBTQ+', 'Grief', 'Domestic Violence', 'Geriatrics', 'Play Therapy']
  ['Mt. Lebanon']
  []
• 
  Dr. Kaleigh Bantum, PhD, NCSP

  Co-Clinical Director
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['OCD']
  ['Monroeville', 'Cranberry Township', 'Mt. Lebanon']
  []
• 
  Chris Falkenstein, LCSW

  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  M
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'OCD']
  ['Mt. Lebanon']
  []
• 
  Katherine Hines, PsyD

  Licensed Psychologist
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'OCD', 'Insomnia']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Nicole Gibson, LPC

  Licensed Professional Counselor
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'OCD', 'Phobias', 'Exposures', 'Insomnia', 'Trichotillomania', 'Skin-picking']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Michael Ortenzo, LMFT

  Marriage and Family Therapist
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  M
  ['OCD', 'Exposures', 'Family', 'Couples']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Savannah Straub, LPC

  Professional Counselor
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'OCD', 'Phobias', 'Exposures', 'LGBTQ+', 'Hoarding']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Cristina Trout MA, NCC, LPC

  Licensed Professional Counselor
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'Trauma / PTSD', 'OCD', 'Exposures', 'Grief', 'Addiction', 'Drug/Alcohol', 'Faith-Based']
  ['Cranberry Township', 'Monroeville', 'Mt. Lebanon']
  []
• 
  Sarah Trozzo, LCSW

  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'LGBTQ+', 'Grief', 'ADD/ADHD', 'Hoarding']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Dr. Alexandra Varela, PhD, LPC, NCC

  Licensed Professional Counselor
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'Trauma / PTSD', 'LGBTQ+', 'Addiction', 'Drug/Alcohol']
  ['Mt. Lebanon']
  []

Trained in EX/RP therapy:

• 
  Grace Belmonte, LSW

  Licensed Social Worker
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression']
  ['Monroeville']
  []
• 
  Lindsey Breznik, Ph.D.

  Child Psychologist
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'OCD', 'Phobias', 'Family', 'ADD/ADHD', 'ODD', 'Trichotillomania', 'Skin-picking']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Stacy Buonomo, LCSW

  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'Trauma / PTSD', 'Phobias', 'Grief', 'Domestic Violence', 'Bipolar Disorder', 'Borderline Personality Disorder', 'DBT', 'Other Personality Disorders', 'Insomnia', 'Concussion/ Traumatic Brain Injury', 'Anger Management', 'Chronic Pain', 'Terminal Illness', 'Geriatrics', 'Trichotillomania', 'Reactive Attachment Disorder']
  ['Virtual Session']
  []
• 
  Jessica Case, MSEd

  Psychology Pre-Doctoral Fellow
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'ADD/ADHD', 'Play Therapy']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Jordyn Cavalier, MSEd

  Psychology Intern
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  []
  ['Monroeville']
  []
• 
  Katelynn Crowe, Professional Counselor

  Pre-Licensed Clinician
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  []
  ['Monroeville']
  []
• 
  Katherine McCall, LCSW

  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'Addiction', 'Drug/Alcohol', 'Borderline Personality Disorder']
  ['Monroeville']
  []
• 
  Samantha Motto, Professional Counselor

  Professional Counselor
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'Trauma / PTSD', 'DBT', 'ADD/ADHD', 'Chronic Pain', 'Terminal Illness', 'Trichotillomania', 'Skin-picking', 'Hoarding', 'Play Therapy', 'Faith-Based']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Kelly Paulson, MSEd

  Psychologist Intern
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  []
  ['Monroeville']
  []
• 
  Sara Steigman, LSW

  Licensed Social Worker
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  M
  []
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Danica Szoldatits, Professional Counselor

  Pre-Licensed Clinician
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  []
  ['Monroeville']
  []
• 
  Amelia Shuppy, NCC

  National Certified Counselor
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'Trauma / PTSD', 'ADD/ADHD', 'Grief', 'Trichotillomania', 'Skin-picking', 'Play Therapy', 'Faith-Based']
  ['Monroeville']
  []
• 
  Caleb Thompson, PhD, LPC, NCC

  Licensed Professional Counselor
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  M
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'Phobias', 'LGBTQ+', 'Coparenting', 'Grief', 'Addiction', 'Drug/Alcohol', 'Anger Management', 'ADD/ADHD']
  ['Cranberry Township']
  []
• 
  Lindsey Venesky, PhD, NCSP

  Child Psychologist
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Grief', 'AF-CBT', 'Play Therapy', 'Faith-Based']
  ['Mt. Lebanon']
  []
• 
  Brittany Steiner, Professional Counselor

  Professional Counselor
    NEW PATIENT INQUIRIES
  F
  ['Anxiety / Depression', 'Trauma / PTSD', 'OCD']
  ['Monroeville']
  []