Disorders We Treat
We have over a decade of experience working with adolescents and adults using evidence-based treatments.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder impacts approximately 2-3% of the population and is characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that feel distressing. In order to reduce this distress, people with OCD engage in avoidance of things that will trigger their thoughts and/or they engage in compulsions to neutralize these thoughts. Intrusive thoughts tend to center on things that are most valuable to the person who is having them, which increases the distress associated with having these thoughts.
There are a variety of different OCD subtypes: scrupulosity, contamination, purely obsessional, harm, relationship, existential, sexual orientation, and pedophilia. Here at Virginia Behavioral Health, we have worked with all of these subtypes (and more!). It is unlikely you will say anything that we have not heard before. Working with a provider who truly understands OCD and will not inadvertently increase shame and distress around the intrusive thoughts is key to successful treatment.
We are trained in the gold-standard treatment for OCD: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). We also work with couples who are experiencing distress related to OCD. Our goal is to help you and your partner feel like a team against the OCD vs. the OCD being a third member in your relationship. Call us today to talk more about how we can help!
Additionally, we are trained in evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders including:
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobias
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders and disordered eating impact a large number of people in the United States, and they are experienced by people of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and genders. Studies indicate that 75% of women report disordered eating, and that women in their 30s and 40s experience disordered eating at similar rates to women in their 20s. Further, research indicates that 1 in 7 males and 1 in 5 females will experience an eating disorder by 40 years of age. Eating disorders can be debilitating, and anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders. Early intervention and treatment is crucial for good prognosis. We have worked with adolescents and adults in inpatient, outpatient, research, group, and individual settings for over a decade. We have written peer-reviewed articles and presented at national and international conferences and before Congressional staff on eating disorder treatment. We are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Binge Eating Disorder (CBT for BED), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), all evidence-based practices to treat eating disorders. We are confident in our ability to see real change with your eating disorder. Please see below for the conditions we treat:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Body Image Concerns
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Disordered Eating
- Orthorexia
Reproductive Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Reproductive mood and anxiety disorders refer to disorders that occur as a result of hormonal changes during reproductive transitions (e.g., menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum). Perinatal depression and anxiety are common, affecting 10-20% of new parents. Giving birth to a child can be stressful, as parents have to navigate identity, role, and relationship changes, poor quality and quantity sleep, reduced time to engage in self-care, and societal pressure to do everything "perfectly". A new parent, responsible for an infant's care, may have intrusive thoughts or images about something bad happening to their baby. New parenthood can also lead to feelings that you are not enough and that you are not a good parent. We were trained in the nation’s first perinatal psychiatry inpatient unit as part of UNC’s Center for Women’s Mood Disorders in both Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). These are treatments that have been shown to improve symptoms for both perinatal depression and anxiety. Additionally, we have been trained in evidence-based practices for menstrual-related mood disorders. Please contact us if you are experiencing any of the below disorders. We are confident we can help.
- Depression and anxiety during pregnancy
- Postpartum depression
- Postpartum anxiety disorders (panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder)
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Premenstrual exacerbation
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Interested in our services? We’re here to help!
Contact us today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. We will work with you to develop an evidence-based treatment plan tailored to your symptoms and goals.
Start your journey to better health today!