Katie Fracalanza PhD

My practice, which includes myself and 7 other OCD specialists, is focused on OCD and anxiety disorders, with about 60%-70% of individuals presenting for OCD treatment (other conditions we treat include anxiety, depression, and trauma). My practice offers detailed OCD assessment, as well as gold-standard OCD therapy (exposure and response prevention combined with elements of acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and compassion-based approaches where appropriate to client needs). My practice offers weekly therapy, as well as more intensive options (2-3x/week) for individuals presenting with more severe symptoms or desiring faster symptom reduction.

Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders:

Social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, low self-esteem, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. Treatment begins with an assessment, understanding what maintains your symptoms, and how your anxiety and/or avoidance is playing out in your life. You will learn how to approach feared situations in a systematic way with my help (i.e., exposure); in session and between sessions. Other therapeutic skills you will learn is how to: challenge beliefs that are keeping you stuck, understand your struggle in a deeper way, work with and care for your emotions, be compassionate toward yourself, and strengthen your connections with others.

I am the director of psychotherapy within the OCD Clinic at Stanford University. I have been treating OCD, anxiety disorders, and related conditions for the past 14 years. In my role at Stanford, I conduct research to optimize the current treatments for OCD-related disorders, and I train other therapists on how to provide gold-standard therapy for OCD and anxiety. It is my lifelong passion to help people overcome anxiety to live full, joyful lives. I not only help people overcome their symptoms but work with them to truly thrive and enjoy a high quality of life.

Diversity Statement:

My practice welcomes individuals of diverse backgrounds. I have received supervision on culturally-sensitive therapy throughout my training, and value every client’s unique background. As I get to know each client, their social, cultural, and developmental histories are taken into account in their treatment plan. Gold-standard therapies are flexibly applied so that they fit not only your symptoms but also your social-developmental history and values.