Columbus OCD and Anxiety Clinic

Columbus OCD and Anxiety Clinic is a specialty outpatient practice in Columbus, Ohio, focused on the assessment and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related anxiety conditions. The clinic was founded to address the gap in access to evidence-based OCD care in central Ohio, particularly the limited availability of clinicians with formal training in exposure and response prevention (ERP).

Our team consists of licensed psychologists, counselors, and social workers with advanced training in ERP and cognitive behavioral therapy. We emphasize a structured training and consultation model within the clinic to ensure clinicians develop and maintain competency in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care. In addition to individual therapy, we provide comprehensive evaluations and developmentally informed treatment for children, adolescents, and adults.

We offer outpatient services, with a focus on time-limited, goal-oriented treatment designed to help clients build independence in managing symptoms. Treatment approaches include exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), inference-based cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT), and Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) treatment for body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Treatment plans are individualized and often include collaboration with families, schools, and other providers when appropriate.

Our program has a singular focus on OCD and anxiety, along with an emphasis on clinician training, clinical quality, and functional outcomes. We do not offer a broad range of modalities, allowing us to maintain depth and consistency in our approach.

Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders:

Our clinicians are trained to treat a broad range of anxiety disorders, including those independent of OCD. We primarily use exposure-based interventions to reduce avoidance, eliminate unhelpful safety behaviors, and support fuller engagement in daily life. We also treat depression when it co-occurs with OCD or anxiety, incorporating CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based strategies. Across conditions, we focus on targeting maintaining processes with the goal of helping clients independently manage symptoms. When a co-occurring condition requires a level of care or specialization beyond our scope, we provide referrals to ensure appropriate, evidence-based treatment.

Diversity Statement:

We are committed to providing inclusive, culturally responsive care. Clinicians consider each client’s cultural, social, and individual context when developing and implementing treatment, while maintaining fidelity to evidence-based approaches. We aim to create a respectful, collaborative environment in which clients feel understood and supported. Our team engages in ongoing training and consultation to strengthen cultural competence and reduce barriers to care. We also strive to adapt treatment when appropriate to ensure it is accessible, relevant, and effective across diverse backgrounds and identities.

OCD Specialists at this clinic:

• Matthew Free, PhD
• Justin Braun, PhD
• Lawrence Needleman, PhD
• Keri Willard, MA
• Chris Palcsak, MSW
• Michael Bayda, MSW
• Angeline Cirino, MSW