What specific training have you had in treating OCD?
In addition to my coursework in graduate school, I went through a year and a half training program with Mclean OCD institute of TX, one of the premiere residential facilities for treating OCD.
Have training in using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to treat OCD at all levels of severity.
I have experience working with all subtypes of OCD.
Can you tell me about your experience treating OCD specifically related to perfectionism?
I really think that everyone with OCD experiences some level of perfectionism, so any work with OCD involves some awareness of perfectionism. Sometimes this looks like all or nothing thinking, feeling like we have to do things perfectly or they have no value at all. One of the great things about exposure therapy is that it helps your brain to learn that what you expect or fear will happen is often not accurate. The truth is that you are not perfect; no one is. And life will not happen “perfectly”. But you can still be okay – happy even – and have a meaningful life.
How did you develop an interest in treating OCD in the context of sports and performance?
In addition to being a therapist, I am also a professional air hockey player. You may not have even known that professional air hockey existed, but it does! In 2017 I won the Air Hockey World Championship. I have been a top 10 ranked player for since 2016, and most recently won the 2024 North Carolina State championship, which is a stop on the professional tour. So, sports and competition have always been a big part of my life. I’ve noticed in my own life the ways OCD has intersected with air hockey and has made it more difficult to enjoy this thing that I love. As I got treatment and understood more about OCD, it made me freer to enjoy the sport I loved and that motivates me to help other people make that same discovery.
You utilize Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) when treating OCD. How do you adapt ERP to treat performance-related OCD?
ERP is very effective for athletes with performance-related OCD. There are a lot of exposures and experiments that can help athletes see that their performance and the success of their game is not dictated by the things ocd tells them they have to do. A lot of thinking errors factor into performance as well. I help athletes identify goals that are aligned with their values, and teach them how to recognize and challenge faulty thought patterns. This is super effective when it is done in tandem with ERP.
How do you approach goal-setting with clients who struggle with perfectionism in sports?
Goal setting is first about coming up with specific, reasonable goals based around what they want to accomplish in their sport of choice, what they want to achieve. People who experience perfectionism in sports put a lot of pressure on themselves to reach a certain level and tend to have an orientation where “if i don’t play perfectly/win this tournament, i am a failure”, so we do work around those expectations and I encourage athletes to identify process-oriented goals. In other words, “how do i get a little better every day?” or “how do I make progress every day?” Instead of “how do I get to the top of the mountain right away?”, it’s “how do i make progress up the mountain every day?”
What strategies do you use to build trust with clients who are perfectionistic and may be resistant to treatment?
As with all kinds of therapy, the relationship is paramount and I look to form a relationship with all my clients. If the relationship isn’t there, if there is no connection, I won’t be as effective at coming up with a treatment plan that works and they won’t be as interested in doing it. My rules for ERP are: i’m never going to ask you to do something that I believe is genuinely dangerous; i’m never going to ask you to do something that i’m not willing to do right alongside you; and all exposures will be collaborative – they will help come up with what we do and be a part of the process. They always have the right to say no; ERP is a process of finding what works for specific people. If an exposure feels too difficult, my job is to help them pivot and find another exposure that feels more approachable.
What does a typical treatment plan look like for an athlete dealing with OCD?
A treatment plan is always individualized, tailored to meet the specific needs of the client. But there are broad strokes in common for everyone. We always start with talking, and making sure I understand – how does ocd show up for you and what knowledge do you need in order to do exposure therapy. We create something called an exposure hierarchy, where we attempt to rank or roughly gauge what thoughts/activities/triggers feel the easiest or most intimidating to face. And then we do the work. I am with them every step of the way. We might jump around in the hierarchy, tweak it, or do other things as needed. I love to bring in other approaches to help bolster the learning like ACT, or other concepts from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
The length of treatment will be different for every individual. For someone with mild OCD it is reasonable to expect 12-16 weeks for the initial course of treatment.
How do you ensure that treatment remains positive and empowering, especially for high-achieving clients?
One of the great things about OCD treatment is that it is really effective! Most people begin to notice a difference and experience some relief from their symptoms rather quickly. In that way, it’s easy to stay positive. I focus on successes in treatment. Clients frequently do things that felt insurmountable to them before – things they thought they could “never” do. Success begets success, so it is easy to build on those wins.
When we hit a plateau in treatment or things feel tough, I will often spend time with clients reviewing what things are important to them and what things OCD may be standing in the way of accomplishing or experiencing. Remembering the “why” helps to maintain motivation when things get tough.
Are you available for consultations or check-ins during peak performance seasons or competitions?
Yes. It is normal to have “flare ups” during times of high stress. Once we have an established relationship, it is easy to jump back in if a client needs targeted or time sensitive support.
How do you collaborate with coaches, trainers, or other professionals involved in an athlete’s life?
If the client wants me to collaborate with coaches or other professionals, I am happy to do that. It can be really helpful to involve other people in treatment, so that the client can receive consistent messaging and support, both in and out of the therapy room. Collaboration usually involves discussing goals and objectives, as well as strategies for responding “in the moment”.
Do you offer group therapy sessions for athletes dealing with OCD and performance issues?
Yes. Groups can be really important in the treatment of athletes experiencing OCD because it helps you to realize you’re not alone, there are plenty of others who experience this. It can offer additional support and understanding and feel like you have help along the way.
What do you find most meaningful personally about treating OCD?
I have OCD. I’ve seen firsthand and know experientially how much it can affect your life. Thanks to therapists I’ve had and treatment I’ve done I’ve been able to see how much better life can be once you get through it. There’s something so magical about ERP when it works and the learning happens, when the person realizes they don’t actually have to be afraid of things and they actually can do the things they didn’t think they ever could. The way that it empowers them to live a more meaningful life is an indescribable benefit.