Mark H. Balabanis, PhD

I am a CBT psychologist in the Rockridge area of Oakland working with adults and couples. Regarding individual therapy, I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and mood disorders (including bipolar disorder), and addiction. My couples therapy integrates CBT and Gottman approaches. I work weekdays and Saturdays and see patients both in person or via videoconference. Approximately half of my practice treats OCD. I have treated hundred of patients with OCD for over two decades.

I treat any combination of obsessive-compulsive disorders, mood disorders (including bipolar disorder), Trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders/addiction. I use exposure response prevention and other empirically-supported cognitive behavioral treatment. I typically treat disorders concurrently and often in coordination with Psychiatrists and other resources.

I received my Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh specializing in CBT and researching addiction. My internship and post-doctoral training were in co-occurring PTSD and substance-use specialty Veterans Affairs clinics. I was a partner in the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy before launching my independent private practice. I was a professor teaching advanced clinical seminars specializing in CBT, teaching clinical psychology graduate students at Alliant University and Argosy University. I lectured and conducted workshops at many institutions including at the University of California, Berkely, and John F. Kennedy University. I am a member of several professional associations.

I am proficient and experienced in working with multiple cultures. Practicing in the Oakland California, my patients are demographically and multiculturally diverse. My wife and two daughters are African American. I grew up in Belgium and worked in Cairo, Egypt.