5 Highly Recommended Philadelphia OCD Therapists
On the outside, it might look like you have everything under control. But inside, you feel overwhelmed by the constant obsessive thoughts. You do what you can to make those thoughts go away, but it never seems to be enough, and you’re exhausted.
Hi, I’m Dr. Ayesha Ludhani, and I’m a local psychologist specializing in OCD treatment. Whether you’re an adult navigating your own mental health or a parent watching your child struggle with these symptoms, I see you, and I want you to know that things can get better.
I’m trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is commonly regarded as the Gold Standard in OCD treatment. We’ll move at your pace to gradually expose you to the thoughts and situations that cause anxiety and learn how to face them head-on instead of engaging in compulsions that only offer temporary relief.
I’m also trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), an approach that’s designed to help parents support their children with OCD or anxiety. Learn more here.
OCD doesn’t have to control your life (or your child’s). If you’re ready to find freedom from this cycle, I’d be honored to help. This journey isn’t easy, but I’ve seen firsthand that it’s worth it. Contact me today to get started.
5 highly recommended Philadelphia OCD specialists
I recognize that therapy is a highly personal process, and I want to make sure that you get the care you need, even if it’s with a different provider. I’ve carefully curated this list of other trusted OCD therapists in the Philadelphia area in case my practice isn’t the right fit. Each brings their own unique approach and additional specialty areas, so you can find the support that resonates with you.
Dr. Ashley Pallathra
Recommended for tics and body-focused repetitive behaviors
Dr. Ashley Pallathra is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides culturally-responsive, evidence-based treatment for children, teens, and adults. One of her specialties is tics, which are often associated with OCD. I highly recommend her practice if you or your child is experiencing these symptoms.
Lauren Merclean MA, LCSW
Recommended for body-focused repetitive behaviors
Lauren Merclean is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in evidence-based treatment for OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders. She has extensive experience from intensive outpatient programs, and I highly recommend her practice if you need help with body-focused repetitive behaviors like skin picking, nail biting, or hair pulling.
Kathryn (Kathy) E Angel, PhD
Recommended for co-occurring issues
Dr. Kathryn Angell is a psychologist with over 20 years of experience and has specialized training in ERP. With expertise treating multiple conditions simultaneously, I highly recommend Dr. Angell if you have OCD alongside depression, eating disorders, ADHD, or other co-occurring mental health concerns.
Dr. Virginia Murphy
Recommended for LGBTQIA+ individuals
Dr. Virginia Murphy is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience serving children, teens, and young adults. She's trained in ERP for OCD treatment and is a certified SPACE provider for childhood anxiety. As Clinical Director at Annville Psychological Services, I highly recommend Dr. Murphy if you're seeking OCD treatment blended with specialized support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Dr. Nick Flower
Recommended for harm OCD subtype
Dr. Nick Flower is a licensed clinical psychologist and the president of OCD Spectrum, a specialized OCD treatment center. He's also president of OCDPA and sits on the IOCDF Diversity Committee, with extensive conference speaking experience. I highly recommend Dr. Flower if you're struggling with harm OCD, as he has organized specific support groups for this challenging OCD subtype and leads one of the region's premier OCD treatment centers.
FAQs about OCD treatment
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OCD consists of persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that are performed to alleviate the distress caused by the obsessions.
There are many different subtypes of OCD, but some common signs that you could benefit from therapy are excessive checking, cleaning, counting, reassurance-seeking, and avoiding certain situations.
If you’re not sure whether OCD therapy can help you, reach out for a free consultation where we can discuss your situation directly.
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It can sometimes be difficult to tell whether your child has OCD, especially if their compulsions take the form of mental acts. However, if you notice any of the following, I recommend reaching out for support:
Repetitive behaviors, like excessive handwashing or needing things to be “just right”
Asking for constant reassurance
Avoiding certain activities
Having meltdowns when routines are disrupted
Decline in academic performance, or hours spent on homework due to perfectionism
Again, therapy may be able to help your child even if you aren’t sure whether they’re experiencing OCD. Reach out for a free consultation so we can speak directly and decide on next steps.
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), one of the main treatments I use for OCD, helps you gradually face fears without engaging in compulsive behaviors. This evidence-based approach teaches your brain that anxiety naturally decreases without needing to perform compulsions. Over time, you'll develop confidence in managing uncertainty and distressing thoughts.
For parents, I also offer SPACE training to help you support your anxious child without accommodating their OCD, ultimately building their resilience and independence.
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I use a scientist-practitioner model, meaning that I rely on evidence-based methods that have been proven effective through research. My primary approach is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is considered the Gold Standard of OCD treatment. This method gradually exposes you to fears in a supported environment so you can learn how to tolerate distressing emotions, often leading to long-term relief.
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We’ll begin with a comprehensive assessment to understand your specific OCD symptoms and how they impact your life. From here, we’ll work together to create a hierarchy of fears, starting with less challenging exposures and gradually building to more difficult ones. I'll teach you skills to manage anxiety and resist compulsions, providing support every step of the way. Progress isn't always linear, but most clients see significant improvement within the first several sessions when they're actively engaged in the process.