What Happens During an ERP Therapy Session?
Exposure therapy can seem mysterious, but the approach is straightforward and does not have to be scary, extreme, or complicated. Learn what to expect in an ERP therapy session…
Pediatric OCD & Anxiety
Child and Teen Therapy in Ojai, CA
Child Anxiety & OCD Therapy
In-Person Sessions in Ventura, CA
Face-to-face connection in a relaxed office setting. A good fit for clients who live locally.
Online Sessions in California
Virtual therapy from anywhere in California. Flexible and hybrid options available for busy schedules.
Serving Ojai, CA
Child anxiety and OCD therapy for Ojai families
Family-centered support for Ojai parents and children navigating anxiety, OCD, rituals, reassurance seeking, and avoidance.
Families in Ojai can meet by secure telehealth to learn how to respond to anxiety without reinforcing rituals, while children and teens build age-appropriate confidence and flexibility.
The practice office remains in Ventura, with telehealth available for Ojai families throughout California.
Help for child anxiety
Are You Concerned About Your Child's Worries and Behavior?
As parents we want to see our children happy and thriving. We hope they will do their best in school and have a positive group of friends. We want them to feel safe to learn and explore so they can pursue their goals and develop into a well rounded person. We hope they will learn to appropriately manage their emotions and behavior.
Some children struggle with mental health conditions like OCD and anxiety disorders. Their fears and behavior may seem out of the range of typical for their age. They may demonstrate a pattern of fearful avoidance and rituals that seem to help them feel safe temporarily. You may notice they won't participate in certain activities due to anxious worries or a need for things to be just right.
If you are concerned your child's anxiety and behavior is out of the range of normal, it's a good idea to get a professional evaluation with a licensed therapist trained in the assessment and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and child anxiety conditions.
Families seeking child anxiety and OCD therapy in Ojai can access secure telehealth while the practice office remains in Ventura.
Common struggles
OCD and Anxiety in Children and Teens is Treatable
If you have questions about your child's mental health and development, seek professional help from an experienced therapist who will conduct a formal evaluation.
Evidence-based therapy
Therapies to Assist Your Child's Recovery
Ideal treatment for pediatric OCD and anxiety involves working with the family. Collaborative parent meetings or family therapy sessions may be combined with evidence-based individual treatment for teens when appropriate.
Common OCD and Anxiety Disorders in Children
Childhood anxiety may manifest in different ways, with certain types of anxiety more or less common based on stage of development and unique circumstances. Treatment for OCD, anxiety, and specific phobias involves helping children confront what they have been avoiding while changing their relationship with fear and worry.
Examples of Common Signs and Symptoms
- Fears something bad will happen to the child or parents
- Fears about germs or contamination with ritualistic handwashing or avoidance
- Worries the child is a bad person
- Religious obsessions or behavior not generally accepted as normal for their particular faith
- Perfectionistic obsessions and “just right” rituals
- Avoidance of developmentally appropriate tasks or refusal to do them independently
- Social anxiety and avoidance
- Specific phobias or atypical fears of experiences like vomiting
- School avoidance and refusal
- Separation anxiety
- Somatic complaints like stomach aches
- Anger and irritability when anxious
- Concerning patterns of emotional meltdowns or panic attacks
Get Specialized Help
We provide parent-based and family-centered treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD, and individual therapy for teens when appropriate. Sessions are available in-person in Ventura or virtually throughout California.
As a parent and child therapist of over 10 years, I have worked with a variety of parenting challenges and children's mental health disorders. My style is warm and straightforward to help your family on the OCD recovery journey. I seek to provide an environment where parents feel seen and understood, and are free to share their struggles without judgment.
LICENSED THERAPIST
Hi, I'm Teva Johnstone, LCSW
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Ventura OCD Therapy. I specialize in evidence-based treatment for OCD and anxiety using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and related approaches. I can help your child and family break free from OCD and anxiety conditions.
- Gold-standard ERP for teen OCD and anxiety disorders
- SPACE for parent skill-building and improved family functioning
- Ongoing support for parents to effectively manage OCD
- In-person in Ventura or HIPAA-compliant telehealth in California
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions About Child OCD and Anxiety Treatment
Articles and News
Recent Blog Posts
View All Posts
How Does Rumination-Focused ERP Work for Pure O?
Pure O OCD can feel like being trapped in a mental loop. Rumination-Focused ERP helps you stop invisible mental compulsions and regain your freedom…
When to Get Intensive ERP Treatment
Many people with OCD experience meaningful relief with weekly ERP, while others benefit from more frequent treatment. Learn when intensive ERP treatment may be appropriate…