Julie Mason, RSW

Around half of the people I work with have OCD or a related disorder. My specialization is in BFRBs. I have treated 20+ people with OCD and/or BFRBs.

My approach for co-occurring anxiety and OCD integrates Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with CBT. I prioritize OCD stabilization first, as untreated compulsions will undermine broader anxiety work. Initial psychoeducation supports clients to distinguish OCD from co-occurring conditions like GAD or panic disorder. We would develop an ERP hierarchy alongside cognitive restructuring targeting catastrophic thinking, with interoceptive exposure added if panic is present. ACT or mindfulness-based approaches can augment later treatment stages by building distress tolerance and psychological flexibility, with relapse prevention woven throughout.

My master’s thesis dissertation was on the topic of compulsive hair-pulling and I have led numerous workshops and led lectures on BFRBs in Canada and in the United States for general, academic and professional audiences. I have trained through the TLC Foundation for BFRBs in ComB Treatment and am trained in Comprehensive OCD Treatment with the ECHO Program through Sunnybrook Hospital and CAMH in Toronto, Ontario. I also count my experience as a peer support leader in my lived experience training supporting people with BFRBs.

I have lived experience as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA community and am trained through Rainbow Health Ontario and Project Affirm to provide low-barrier care to 2SLGBTQIA clients.