Lisa Wholey, MS, PhD

Atlantic Psychological provides specialized, evidence-based treatment for OCD and related disorders, including generalized anxiety, social phobia, PTSD, separation anxiety, panic disorder, illness anxiety, specific phobias, body focused repetitive behaviors and depression. Psychological services include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure response prevention, acceptance and commitment therapy, and individualized behavioral interventions. 100% of my clinical practice focuses on OCD and related anxiety disorders. I have provided specialized treatment to individuals with OCD and related anxiety disorders for 12 years, averaging approximately 25 clients per week, representing an estimated 15,000 client sessions. I previously worked as a school psychologist for about 10 years, providing assessment and intervention services to children and adolescents with a broad range of learning, behavioral, social and emotional needs.

I provide treatment for OCD and co-occurring conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma/PTSD, ADHD, autism, and body focused repetitive behaviors. Weekly treatment sessions are individualized, evidence -based, measurement based, goal oriented and incorporate CBT, ERP, ACT and behavioral strategies as indicated. Treatment typically follows a structured 4 months-1 year model, emphasizing collaboration, coordination of care, skills instruction, systematic practice, and between session consultation as needed. When working with children and adolescents, caregivers are an integral part of treatment to support meaningful and lasting change.

I completed a one year postdoctoral internship at a university-based Child Anxiety Center directed by a PhD-level, board-certified (ABPP) anxiety specialist. Following this training, I joined her clinical team and continued to receive supervision and mentorship from this senior faculty member for approximately 12 years. My clinical experience includes over 12 years of specialized treatment of OCD and related anxiety disorders, using evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure response prevention (ERP).

My doctoral training included multicultural studies and education in cultural competency and working with diverse populations. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, including during my residence in New York City, and employment as a school psychologist in Elmsford, New York, and Ossining, New York. During my doctoral program, I established and facilitated a weekly family gathering in Northampton, Massachusetts schools where caregivers shared cultural traditions through cooking, art and family rituals. These experiences strengthened my appreciation for cultural diversity and the importance of providing individualized, and culturally responsive psychological services that honor each individual’s unique background.