Expert Treatment for OCD & Anxiety Disorders

Specialized care when it's complicated—helping adults overcome OCD, panic, and anxiety, even when trauma or substance use is part of the picture

Theresa Schaffer
OCD & Anxiety Therapist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

You’re Not Alone in This

Living with OCD or severe anxiety can feel isolating, especially when your situation doesn’t fit neatly into what other therapists describe. Maybe you’ve been dealing with intrusive thoughts that won’t stop. Or panic attacks that come out of nowhere and control your life. Perhaps you avoid situations, places, or people because the anxiety feels unbearable.

And maybe—just maybe—there’s more to your story. Trauma from your past that seems connected. Times you’ve turned to alcohol or other substances to quiet the anxiety, even though you know it’s not helping. Previous therapy attempts that just scratched the surface.

If this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.

I specialize in helping adults with OCD and anxiety disorders, particularly when other factors make treatment more complex. With decades of experience, I know how to help you move forward—even when your situation feels overwhelming or “too complicated.”

You're in the Right Place If...

You might benefit from working with me if:

You’re struggling with OCD, panic attacks, health anxiety, or social anxiety that’s taking over your life
You’ve tried therapy before, but it didn’t address all the pieces of what you’re dealing with
You have trauma in your background that seems tangled up with your anxiety
You’ve been using alcohol or other substances to cope with overwhelming feelings
Previous therapists have told you your case is “complicated” or referred you elsewhere
You’re tired of feeling like you have to choose between treating your anxiety OR your trauma OR your substance use
You’re ready to do the real work of getting better, not just manage symptoms

The truth is, real people have complicated lives. Your struggles don’t exist in separate boxes, and your treatment shouldn’t either. I provide integrated, evidence-based care that addresses the whole picture.

How I Can Help

I specialize in treating:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Inference-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), the gold-standard treatment for OCD, I help you break free from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions that have been controlling your life.

Panic Disorder Learn to understand and manage panic attacks, reduce anticipatory anxiety, and reclaim the activities and places you’ve been avoiding.

Health Anxiety Break the cycle of constant worry about illness, excessive checking, and reassurance-seeking that keeps you trapped.

Social Anxiety Overcome the fear of judgment and embarrassment that’s been keeping you isolated and preventing you from living the life you want.

Complex Cases When your anxiety or OCD is complicated by trauma, substance use, or previous treatment failures, I bring specialized expertise to help you finally get relief.

What Makes My Approach Different

Evidence-Based Treatment: I use proven approaches including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders. These aren’t just talk therapy—they’re active, structured treatments with strong research support.

Expertise in Complexity: With decades of clinical experience, including extensive work with substance use disorders and trauma, I understand how these issues intersect with anxiety. You don’t need multiple therapists—you need one who gets the whole picture.

Trauma-Informed Care: If trauma is part of your story, I integrate trauma treatment with your anxiety care. You won’t have to choose which problem to address first or worry about being retraumatized in the process.

Direct and Compassionate: I’ll be honest with you about what treatment involves and what you can expect. Recovery from OCD and anxiety requires real work, and I’ll be alongside you every step of the way—pushing you when needed and supporting you when it gets hard.

Take the Next Step

You've been living with this long enough. It's time to get the specialized help you deserve.

In our first conversation, we'll discuss what you're struggling with, explore whether my approach is right for you, and create a plan to help you start feeling better.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Areas of Expertise

Providing individual therapy for motivated adults since 2001.

Decide to grow, make it your life’s goal and purpose.

become intimate with your fears. listen to them. sit cross legged. give them your undivided attention. offer them comfort. offer them rest.

Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don't serve them tea.

Feeling Anxious Right Now?

Download The Calm Reset — a short, therapist-created guide with 3 evidence-based tools to help your nervous system settle.

Get the Free Guide