Katie Merrill LCSW

Around 90% of my clientele suffers from OCD, phobias, or body-focused repetitive behaviors.

Please contact to inquire if I treat individuals in your country. I have treated clients in the UK, France, Russia, and Australia.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by obsessive, unwanted thoughts and anxiety? I offer a safe, supportive space for clients to learn the tools to break free from the exhaustive grip of OCD and related disorders. I specialize in ERP, ACT, and CBT for OCD and for other OCD/anxiety-spectrum disorders such as Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Health Anxiety, Panic Disorder, and Specific Phobias. I treat depression, substance use disorders, and trauma as well. I also specialize in Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (e.g. skin picking, hair pulling), utilizing the most evidence-based treatment modalities including structured awareness training, self-compassion and mindfulness skills, CBT, and habit reversal intervention.

I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) from UCLA and a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley. I have had extensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), ACT, and CBT for specific treatment of OCD and anxiety-related disorders at OCD Specialists. I am trained in the ComB (Comprehensive Behavioral Model) for BFRBs by Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC). I have further training in CBT/ERP for OCD and BFRBs from CBT School.

I have had the privilege of serving many different populations throughout Los Angeles. Desire to learn about cultures different from my own is a key reason why I originally decided to become a social worker. I always aim to operate from a stance of curiosity and humility in my work.

Through working in community mental health agencies for many years, I have had extensive cultural competency/humility training, as well as experience serving communities of color. I have additional education via the EDGY Conference (Embracing the Diversity of GLBTQ Youth and Families) and Supporting LGBTQIA+ Communities trainings.