Stephanie Barboza, LMHC

I offer telehealth therapy for adults in RI, MA, and TN, with approximately 60% of my practice focused on OCD, anxiety, and related disorders. I specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for OCD and anxiety, including postpartum OCD. I have treated over 50 individuals with OCD and related disorders across various clinical settings, including intensive outpatient and university counseling center environments.

I treat anxiety as a primary co-occurring condition alongside OCD. My approach integrates ERP and ACT, which address both OCD and anxiety simultaneously by targeting the underlying core fears and beliefs driving both presentations. Treatment is tailored to each individual — some clients present with OCD as primary with significant anxiety, while others present with anxiety that includes OCD-spectrum features. I do not use a rigid, separate protocol for each — instead I meet clients where they are and adjust the treatment focus as needed throughout our work together.

I have been treating OCD and related disorders since 2019, beginning with an intensive month-long training at Rogers Behavioral Health (RBH), one of the country’s leading OCD treatment programs. I subsequently provided ERP-based treatment in RBH’s OCD and Anxiety IOP and PHP programs under supervision from a current member of the IOCDF Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board. Additional training includes IOCDF online workshops and ongoing RBH continuing education. I am experienced in ERP and ACT for OCD, anxiety, and related disorders, including postpartum OCD.

My clinical experience includes working with a diverse student population at Vanderbilt University Counseling Center, where I provided therapy to individuals from a wide range of cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. I welcome and affirm clients of all identities and backgrounds in my current telehealth practice serving adults in RI, MA, and TN.

As part of my role at Vanderbilt University Counseling Center, I participated in ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion training focused on providing culturally competent care. This included education on working with clients from underrepresented communities, addressing systemic barriers to mental health care, and developing culturally sensitive treatment approaches.