Idil Franko, PsyD

I am certified in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP/ExRP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. About 40% of my practice is focused on OCD or a related disorder.

I work with adolescents, emerging adults, adults, and families experiencing anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and phobias), obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, emotion dysregulation, and life transitions, including immigration-related stress. My training includes the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) at the University of Pennsylvania, where I was trained and certified in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD. I also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adolescents with Dr. Alec Miller at Cognitive & Behavioral Consultants in New York.

I have seven years of experience treating anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and PTSD. I received specialized training and certification in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and Prolonged Exposure therapy for PTSD at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) at the University of Pennsylvania, a leading anxiety disorder treatment and research center. I also received advanced clinical training across multiple settings, including the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, and Cognitive & Behavioral Consultants. I continue to participate in weekly consultation with an OCD expert affiliated with the CTSA.

My own journey as an immigrant deeply shapes the way I connect with and support clients. I understand the challenges of leaving behind familiar traditions, adapting to new cultural norms, and finding belonging. In my work, I draw on both this lived experience and evidence-based approaches to help immigrants and their families manage transitions, ease isolation, and foster a stronger sense of self and connection.

I completed my predoctoral internship at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Manhattan. During this time, I received advanced training in Cognitive Processing Therapy, an evidence-based approach to treating post-traumatic stress. My background at the VA continues to shape my practice today, grounding me in a trauma-informed perspective. With this lens, I strive to create a safe, collaborative, and empowering therapeutic relationship, helping clients build on their strengths and foster resilience.