

Lynlee April Olivera, LMFT
Anxiety, OCD & BFRB treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an active therapy. CBT recognizes that our thoughts, feelings, body sensations and behaviors are inter-related and affect one another. CBT hinges on the idea that if we change either our thoughts, feelings, body sensations, or behaviors, we can alter them all together.
CBT works in the here & now. The focus is on understanding what keeps a problem going (e.g. anxiety or depression) and learning what actions can be taken to mitigate the core issue. In CBT, we use cognitive and behavioral strategies to change your thought patterns, test your beliefs/assumptions, and face your fears.
In addition, CBT addresses the way people interpret events. Often times, individuals place meanings on their life experiences, thus determining their interpretations/feelings revolving around those experiences. CBT can assist individuals in uncovering maladaptive thought patterns around their experiences. CBT is a structured therapy that has been shown to be effective for a range of problems including anxiety disorders, depression, and more.
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Acceptance Commitment Therapy is a third wave of CBT, which came out in 1980 by Dr. Hayes. ACT assists people in practicing being mindful in there here & now and teaching them to identify that trying to control your inner experience may keep you stuck in the OCD cycle.
Developing psychological flexibility is an important aspect when dealing with the rigidity of the OCD mind. The core processes of psychological flexibility are acceptance, cognitive defusion, self as context, being present, values driven life, and committed action. These processes tie together to allow one to be conscious in the present moment, however with a power of choice. In this form of therapy, it is a person’s willingness to experience uncomfortable thoughts and/or states and still move toward a regular lifestyle.
We want to help you take steps towards actions that are meaningful for you. A life of purpose.