Michelle Lyons PhD

I offer specialized individual evidence-based therapy for OCD, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia virtually to adults in California or in-person in San Diego. I primarily deliver Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with integrated ACT skills. My style is collaborative, validating, and results-oriented. We will work together to establish and meet treatment goals that reduce your experience of distress while promoting deeper meaning and value in your life. My goal is to help you take your life back from OCD and anxiety! And the success I see in my clients is what keeps me passionate about this work.

I have expertise in treating co-occurring PTSD, depression, substance use disorders, and other components of anxiety (phobias, panic attacks, etc). If you have a co-occurring condition, we will work together to understand how your symptoms of OCD might influence co-occurring conditions. For instance, with depression, treating your OCD oftentimes leads to improvements in both OCD and depressive symptoms. In the case of co-occurring PTSD or substance use disorders we will likely take an integrated approach, addressing OCD and co-occurring issues simultaneously. I have extensive training and experience in delivering Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, and CBT for Substance Use Disorders and Relapse Prevention for substance use disorders.

I received my PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Nevada. I completed my predoctoral internship at VA Boston and my postdoctoral fellowship at UC San Diego/VA San Diego. VA training programs have a reputation for excellent training in evidence-based treatments and much of my training focused on exposure-based methods which is the foundation for treatment of OCD. I also attended a four-day intensive workshop in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD delivered by Cognitive Behavior Institute Center for Education. My training and experiences provide me with the background necessary to offer the most effective therapy for OCD.

Diversity and inclusion was emphasized throughout my training and I continue to dedicate time to continued education. Providing a safe, informed, and validating environment to those who have been underserved and oppressed in their communities is an important aspect of my therapeutic approach. I have also served on Diversity Committees at various institutions where I have trained including the University of Nevada, VA Boston, and VA San Diego/UCSD. I am an LGBTQIA+ ally and also have specific competencies in working with military service members.