cognitive behavior therapy
Exposure with Response Prevention
near San Jose, California
Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) is widely recognized as the gold standard in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
In ERP, we will change the way you respond to your thoughts. You will learn not to take intrusive thoughts literally and stop feeling like you have to do what OCD wants you to do. We will test your fears by going towards situations that you have been avoiding and reducing the behaviors that reinforce the cycle.
How ERP WORKS
1.
UNDERSTAND THE CYCLE
Obsessive thoughts are overwhelming. The more you try to make the anxiety go away through rituals or avoidance, the more trapped you feel. We start ERP by learning to observe this cycle so you can stop feeling like anxiety is running the show.
2.
CHANGE YOUR RESPONSES
In ERP, you’ll learn to respond to intrusive thoughts in new ways, without falling back on overdoing, checking or reassurance. It’s not about ignoring your anxiety, but about teaching your brain that you don’t need to react to every fear it throws at you.
3.
FACE YOUR FEARS
With support, you’ll face what you’ve been avoiding. We’ll work together to create a plan for exposures that help you gradually confront your fears at a pace that feels challenging but doable. Each step builds your tolerance for uncertainty.
4.
BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE
ERP isn’t about being fearless—it’s about learning you can handle discomfort and uncertainty. Over time, you'll gain trust in yourself and feel more free to live life without constant checking, avoiding, or seeking reassurance.
Personalized TREATMENT
ERP works best when it’s built around your unique fears, values, and what matters most in your life. There’s no generic plan here. We’ll spend time understanding how OCD shows up for you and create a step-by-step approach that feels doable and supportive.
Whether your anxiety centers around contamination, intrusive thoughts, health fears, or something else, we’ll tailor your exposures so they’re challenging, but not overwhelming. Beyond reducing anxiety, the goal of ERP is to help you feel more in control, more confident, and more free to live your life.
You deserve support that works. In my San Jose practice, I combine warmth with practical tools to help you feel more in control. My goal is to help you feel equipped, empowered, and supported throughout the process.
Why is it important to work with an OCD specialist?
Specialized Expertise: An OCD specialist has specific training in evidence-based treatments for OCD, such as Exposure and Response Prevention. Many therapies that help with other disorders like anxiety and depression can actually make OCD worse.This includes traditional CBT!
Personalized Treatment: OCD specialists develop personalized treatment plans that address your unique symptoms, triggers, and goals. This individualized approach is crucial in OCD treatment, as everyone's fears and cycles are unique.
In-Depth Understanding: OCD specialists have a deep understanding of the complexities of OCD, including its various subtypes and how it can show up differently in individuals. For ERP to work, it is important that we individually conceptualize the ways that OCD is impacting you.
Proven Track Record: Choosing an OCD specialist means opting for a professional who has successfully helped many others overcome OCD symptoms.
Getting Started in Exposure with Response Prevention
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1 / How do I make an appointment?Complete the Potential Client Form and I will be in touch with you within 24 hours to set up a consultation call. If we are a fit, we will will book an intake session from there. After our initial meeting, most clients meet with me weekly for 45-minute sessions, ideally at the same day and a time each week. We will meet more or less depending on your needs. If you need to change your appointment time or cancel, I require 48 hours notice to avoid a full session charge.
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2 / How much does therapy cost and do you take insurance?My fees are $340 per 60 minute initial assessment session and $255 per 45-minute therapy session. I am an out-of-network provider for all insurance panels. If you have a PPO you may be eligible for out of network benefits and I will submit electronic claims on your behalf so that you may be partially reimbursed for your CBT sessions. You can contact your insurance company directly to find out more information about your out of network coverage.
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3 / Do you offer in-person/face -to-face sessions?YES! It has been so good to be back in the office! I offer both in person and online therapy. My in person office is in Campbell, CA, serving the Silicon Valley region. I can provide online therapy to residents throughout California.
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4 / Do you work with children and teens?Most of my therapy clients are adults, young adults and older teenagers. I don’t often work with children under age 11 but if you feel your child could be a good fit for me I am happy to speak with you. I also offer Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) treatment for parents seeking to help their children with anxiety disorders and OCD.
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5 / What will our sessions be like?CBT is more structured than other types of therapy. We will start by setting an agenda and intention for the session. Then the majority of our session time will be spent on discussing your problems and applying CBT interventions. We will end with an action plan for you to take into your week. CBT, is at its core, flexible and collaborative so we will tailor our sessions to your needs.
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6 / How long does therapy take?It truth is that treatment length varies a lot! The severity of your symptoms and how long you've had them , your motivation to work outside of session, and your life circumstances will all factor in to treatment length. Most clients start to feel some noticeable relief within three months and may achieve their goals by six months. For others it can take a year or more.
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7 / What is a Good Faith Estimate?You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
About CAITLYN
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. I have been working as a therapist since 2009, specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders. Before starting my own practice in 2021 I worked at a specialty anxiety/OCD group practice for many years, as well as community mental health, and school settings.
My practice is located in Campbell, CA in the South SF Bay Area, near San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Cupertino.
I have been working primarily with clients struggling with anxiety since 2012. Read more about my speciality training here.
My approach to anxiety and OCD treatment is compassionate and personalized. This work is challenging but we will go at your pace and focus on the symptoms that are getting in the way of your life.
Ready to get started or have more questions?
