cognitive behavior therapy
OCD Expert Near Me:
Effective Therapy for
Scrupulocity & Morality OCD
If you're searching for an OCD specialist near you, you’re in the right place.
As a licensed therapist with over a decade of experience, I specialize in helping individuals break free from the grips of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including scrupulocity and morality OCD.
Understanding Scrupulosity & Morality OCD
Scrupulosity and Morality OCD are subsets of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in which intrusive thoughts and compulsions center around moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. Individuals with scrupulosity experience intense fear of being immoral, unethical, or sinful, even in situations where no objective wrongdoing has occurred. This can manifest as persistent doubts about having lied, offended someone, violated a moral code, or disrespected religious teachings. These thoughts are often ego-dystonic—meaning they feel inconsistent with the person’s values—which can create immense distress and shame.
To cope with these intrusive thoughts, individuals may engage in compulsive behaviors such as excessive confessing, seeking reassurance, mental reviewing of past events, prayer, or avoidance of certain situations. While these behaviors are attempts to reduce anxiety or gain certainty, they ultimately reinforce the OCD cycle. Scrupulosity can be especially debilitating because it targets the very values and identity that matter most to the person. Effective treatment typically includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps clients gradually face their fears without engaging in compulsions, as well as learning to tolerate uncertainty around morality and intention.
Signs of Scrupulosity
& Morality OCD
1. Excessive guilt or fear of being immoral or sinful
You feel guilt or fear that you did something wrong even when no wrongdoing has occurred — often obsessing over whether your thoughts, intentions, or actions might be "bad" or offensive.
2. Compulsive confessing or seeking reassurance
To reduce anxiety, you may feel compelled to repeatedly ask for reassurance from others (e.g., friends, family, religious leaders, therapists) to gain certainty that you haven’t done something wrong.
3. Intrusive thoughts related to religion, ethics, or morality
Blasphemous thoughts, fears of offending God, or doubts about being a “good” person.
4. Mental reviewing or rumination
Repeatedly going over past actions, conversations, or thoughts to check for potential moral or ethical missteps.
5. Avoidance of situations or content
Staying away from certain media, people, or environments that might trigger moral or religious anxiety or lead to "sinful" thoughts.
Recovery from OCD
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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.
What to Expect
Initial Consultation
Our first meeting will be the foundation of our work together. You will get a feel for my style and perspective on OCD. I will learn everything I can about you and how OCD is impacting your life. From there we will personalize cognitive behavioral therapy to help break you out of your current patterns.
Build your Skills
A cognitive behavior therapy session will always conclude with an action plan or homework. This is especially important in ERP. Your plan for the week may consist of a personalized reading recommendation, tracking your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, practicing responding to your thoughts differently, approaching some of your fears, or trying out new coping skills.
Personalized Approach
CBT and ERP are not one size fits all. Our work together will be designed specifically for you, focusing on your goals and the unique connections between your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Our job is to break you out of your current patterns and build a more healthy, flexible and adaptable way of coping with life.
Meet your Goals
The most important factor in overcoming any obstacle is your confidence that you can handle it. As you start meeting your goals, we will focus on strengthening your skills so that you can continue your growth, being able to apply CBT and ERP to new problems as they arise.
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 disorderes like anxiety and depression can actually make OCD worse.
Personalized Treatment: OCD specialists develop personalized treatment plans that address your unique symptoms, triggers, and goals. This individualized approach is crucial in OCD treatment, where one-size-fits-all methods may not be effective.
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.
Proven Track Record: Choosing an OCD specialist means opting for a professional who has successfully helped many others overcome OCD symptoms. Effective treatment is within reach!
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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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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?
