Lois Sharp PhD

I do not place limits on diagnosis in my clinic. That means that sometimes, I am seeing a lot of people with OCD, sometimes my practice has more people with other disorders. I do note that many people come with more than one diagnosis and we need to make a treatment plan that is unique for the individual while also using techniques that have been shown by research to work well.

I find that working in California requires understanding of multiculturalism. It seems that no one here is from here. Beyond my cross-cultural training during my schooling, I have learned to listen to the person in my office and learn about background and experiences that make them the unique person they are. I am constantly learning and becoming more aware and doing what I can to educate my self.

I started treating OCD during my internship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada, 1998-1999. Since then, I have continued to work on and sharpen my skills as I gain more experience.

During my training, I received specific training in multiculturalism. That was certainly not sufficient but was a good start. Beyond that, having moved here from another country, doing my internship in Toronto, and then moving back, I have had a taste of different experiences and have a better understanding of the context for people’s experiences.