OCD & Anxiety Exposure Services
About the Program
OCD & Anxiety Exposure Services at Pillars of Wellness provides structured, evidence-based treatment for obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-related disorders. Our approach is grounded in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD, and is supported by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) frameworks.
Treatment focuses on helping clients reduce avoidance, interrupt compulsions, and build confidence facing fear and uncertainty. Rather than eliminating anxiety, we help clients change their relationship with it so they can live more fully in alignment with their values.
Care is collaborative, structured, and delivered by clinicians with specialized training in OCD and anxiety treatment.
Who We Serve
We work with adolescents and adults experiencing OCD and anxiety disorders that interfere with daily life, relationships, school, or work.
Conditions include, but are not limited to:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Contamination, harm, checking, relationship, moral or scrupulosity concerns, symmetry, health anxiety
Social Anxiety
Difficulty attending social events, public speaking, small talk, or meeting new people
Specific Phobias
Heights, animals, crowded spaces, or other situational fears
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Avoidance of leaving home, elevators, driving, or high-traffic areas
Generalized or Performance Anxiety
Test-taking, work presentations, athletic performance, or persistent worry
Whether symptoms feel mild or significantly impairing, our team provides individualized care tailored to the complexity of each client’s experience.
What You Can Expect
Clients receive individualized treatment rooted in ERP, ACT, and CBT principles. Treatment includes:
- Collaborative goal-setting based on personal values
- Structured exposure planning and hierarchy development
- Active response prevention and reduction of safety behaviors
- Skills for responding to intrusive thoughts without reassurance
- Measurable progress tracking
Exposure work is paced and supportive. Examples may include:
- Sitting with intrusive thoughts without performing compulsions
- Using public restrooms despite contamination fears
- Leaving home without rechecking appliances
- Initiating conversations in social settings
- Driving in high-traffic areas
- Standing near heights
- Resisting body checking or reassurance-seeking
Sessions are offered in individual therapy formats, in-person, telehealth, or hybrid, with coordination of care with support systems when appropriate.
Program Impact
clients served through specialized treatment
clinicians trained in OCD-specific care
Participation in structured OCD treatment using ERP has been associated with meaningful symptom reduction and improved functioning based on clinical research:
60–80% of individuals with OCD experience significant symptom reduction with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD and is strongly supported by decades of clinical research.
Over 70% of clients show measurable improvement within the first 12–20 sessions. Structured, skills-based OCD treatment often leads to meaningful decreases in obsessions, compulsions, and distress in a relatively short timeframe.
Effective OCD treatment reduces relapse rates by up to 50% when skills are consistently applied.
Clients who learn and practice ERP-based coping strategies show improved long-term symptom management and quality of life.
Partnership Information
Pillars of Wellness values collaboration with community providers, physicians, schools, and referral partners. OCD & Anxiety Exposure Services offers:
- Streamlined referral processes with clear communication
- Care coordination with outpatient providers and higher levels of care
- Consultation support for treatment planning
Interested in partnering?
Our Clinicians
Program Lead: Jessi Kiefor, MA, LMHC
Director of OCD & Anxiety Exposure Services | Associate Director, Merrillville
Specialist: Ruby Koontz, MA, LMHC-A
Our clinicians are trained in ERP, ACT, and CBT frameworks specific to OCD and anxiety-related disorders. Treatment emphasizes grounded, present-focused care that supports clients in facing fear without avoidance or reassurance.
We are committed to reducing stigma, expanding access to evidence-based care, and helping clients build lives driven by values rather than fear.
Applicant Information
Interested in joining our OCD & Anxiety clinical team?
We are seeking clinicians passionate about structured, exposure-based treatment and values-driven recovery.
Team members receive:
- Opportunities to provide specialized ERP treatment
- Clinical supervision and professional development
- A collaborative, supportive team culture centered on ethical and effective care
Continuing Education
Program-related continuing education courses are available for clinicians seeking to expand competencies in OCD and exposure-based treatment.
Recovery Starts Here
Living with OCD or anxiety can feel overwhelming, but recovery is possible. With evidence-based treatment and compassionate support, you can learn to face fear and uncertainty while building a life aligned with your values. You don’t have to face this alone—we’re here to walk alongside you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an official OCD diagnosis to participate?
No. Clients experiencing anxiety disorders that benefit from exposure-based treatment may be appropriate for services. Our intake team helps determine clinical fit.
Is this only for severe OCD and anxiety?
No. We work with mild, moderate, and severe presentations. Early intervention can be highly effective.
Do you accept insurance?
Standard outpatient services are insurance-based. Certain specialty tracks may include self-pay components. We review all options during intake.
What if I feel nervous about exposure therapy?
Feeling nervous is normal. Treatment is collaborative and paced to support gradual growth. Clients are never forced into exposures without preparation and consent.
How long does treatment last?
Length varies depending on symptom severity and goals. Many clients experience measurable improvement within 12–20 sessions.