Obsessive thinking and intense fears that we know are irrational are more than just inconvenient - they can impact every aspect of our lives and make it difficult to experience joy. You might feel embarrassed or ashamed about these thoughts or resulting behaviors, but trying to stop the obsessions often leads to greater distress as you engage in a vicious cycle — with only the repetitive behavior capable of relieving the anxiety. These behaviors can occupy a significant amount of time, and thus interfere with work, school, relationships, and daily living.
Our goal is not to try to talk you out of these thoughts, but to use hypnosis and integrative therapy methods to quiet the mind and help you find the peace that you so greatly desire. Most of us realize that these thoughts are disproportionately intense, but trying to quiet these thoughts on our own can seem overwhelming. By using hypnosis and integrative methods, we don’t just ‘hypnotize’ you, but instead, empower each person to learn the art of relaxation and creative problem solving in order to help them overcome their obsessive thoughts and fears.
OCD is complex and is often very far from how it is portrayed on TV. Obsessions are often thematic, such as needing order and symmetry, fear of contamination, or worries about security. However, there are many that can seem bizarre and feel intrusive, impacting very rational people to feel obsessed with something they deep down know is not true. Despite trying to refrain from compulsive behaviors, many find themselves engaging in repetitive behaviors, rules, and rituals that bring temporary relief from these anxieties — like repeatedly checking that the stove is turned off or engaging in superstitious behaviors that make them feel secure. Many times, however, people with OCD don’t engage in any behaviors, making it hard for people to understand that the content of their intrusive thoughts is more than just anxiety and fall into the realm of OCD.
Our therapists are specialists in guiding individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) towards reclaiming their lives. By skillfully integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and enriching this blend with techniques such as hypnosis, mindfulness, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), they enable their clients to lessen avoidance behaviors, soothe hyperarousal, shift their thought patterns, and regain a sense of control. Their therapeutic process is imbued with creativity, humor, and deep empathy, offering clients innovative coping strategies, a path to deeper relaxation, and inventive solution-building methods. Recognizing the unique nature of each individual, our therapists customize their approach to align with each client’s distinct needs, personality, and learning preferences, all aimed at fostering personal growth and equipping them to tackle the challenges that OCD presents in their daily lives with confidence.
Dr. Fishbach’s work with OCD and anxiety started with her internship at Neuropsychology and Complementary Medicine (NaCMeD) in Fredericksburg, VA, where she trained with a multidisciplinary team that specialized in clinical neuropsychology, health psychology, and psychiatry. She became proficient in holistic therapies, such as biofeedback and mindfulness-based therapies in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She went on to complete her postdoctoral fellowship position at NYCBT, where she developed proficiency in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) while also learning techniques to aid in obsessive thinking such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, Habit Reversal, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness techniques. She offers a supportive and non-judgmental model to her treatment of OCD, understanding that obsessions are complicated and unique and impact each client in different ways.
Dr. Faiwiszewski combines hypnosis with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to effectively address OCD. She understands that OCD's intrusive thoughts and compulsions aren't inherently harmful, but they can become problematic when they disrupt a person’s adherence to their values. If these thoughts are tied to past trauma, she integrates EMDR to aid in healing. Dr. Faiwiszewski's method focuses on helping clients 'defuse' from their intrusive thoughts, viewing them objectively rather than as a part of themselves. This process often involves playful and humorous techniques that put distance between the individual and their thoughts. Through mindfulness and hypnosis, clients learn to stay present with their thoughts and impulses, accepting them without resistance. This empowers them to focus on shaping the life they aspire to, rather than trying to control the thoughts themselves. The primary aim is to alter the client's relationship with their thoughts and behaviors, making them less upsetting and allowing the client to concentrate on their personal values and goals.
Dr. Irada Yunusova stands out in her clinical practice for her expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and specifically, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for treating individuals with OCD and anxiety disorders. While she does not utilize hypnosis, Dr. Yunusova’s approach with CBT and ERP involves carefully structured techniques that help patients confront and manage their fears without resorting to compulsive behaviors. For cases where OCD symptoms are intertwined with past trauma, she skillfully incorporates EMDR, facilitating the processing of these traumatic memories and reducing their impact on the present symptoms. This focused methodology underscores Dr. Yunusova's commitment to offering a targeted and evidence-based treatment plan, prioritizing the mastery of skills that enable patients to overcome challenges and lead more controlled and fulfilling lives.
Drs. Karolina Pekala, Demi Maglio, and Irada Yunusova each bring a rich repertoire of techniques to the treatment of phobias, a spectrum of fears that often inhibit one’s quality of life, ranging from medical phobias to fears of flying, needle phobias, social fears of embarrassment, driving phobias, animal phobias, and more.
Dr. Karolina Pekala leverages a trifecta of therapeutic methods: hypnosis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Through hypnosis, she guides patients into a focused state of relaxation, enabling them to explore and reframe deep-seated fears at the subconscious level. CBT allows her to work with clients in a more conscious and structured way, helping them to identify and challenge the distorted cognitions behind their phobias, while DBT introduces them to skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance, crucial for managing intense fear responses.
Dr. Demi Maglio also utilizes hypnosis, combining it with CBT and mindfulness practices to create a holistic treatment framework. With hypnosis, she addresses the power of the subconscious in sustaining phobic reactions, implanting positive suggestions to counteract negative thought patterns. CBT provides a strategic approach to tackle the problematic thoughts and behaviors head-on, while mindfulness anchors the treatment in the present moment, teaching clients to observe their fears without judgment and reduce the overall anxiety linked to their phobias.
Dr. Irada Yunusova, on the other hand, incorporates a unique combination of EMDR, CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and DBT into her treatment plans. EMDR is particularly effective for clients whose phobias are triggered or exacerbated by traumatic events, using bilateral stimulation to process and diminish the distress of traumatic memories. CBT and ERP are cornerstones of her practice, especially for OCD-related phobias; these therapies work in tandem to expose clients to their fears in a controlled environment and prevent the compulsive safety behaviors that reinforce the phobia. DBT further complements her approach, providing additional coping techniques to manage the intense emotions and disruptive impulses that often accompany phobic reactions.
Each of these practitioners tailors their approach to fit the client’s needs, recognizing that the path to overcoming phobias is as individual as the people who struggle with them. By addressing the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physiological dimensions of fear, Drs. Pekala, Maglio, and Yunusova offer comprehensive treatment options that go beyond mere symptom management, aiming instead for deep-seated change and lasting recovery.
Explore our targeted therapeutic approach to address and overcome these issues. Embark on a transformative path that delivers essential insights and strategies, empowering you to break free from these patterns and regain control over your thoughts.
