Leah Zeitz

Becoming a therapist wasn't a choice for me; it was my calling and purpose. From a young age, I've been eager to help others by demonstrating empathy and compassion to understand them at a deeper level. I'm a therapist because I want to help people grow from the person they are to the person they want to be, while learning to accept themselves.

OCD can be debilitating. Helping others get their life back is wonderful to witness. While studying various theoretical counseling approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was the approach that matched my personality and style because CBT focuses on symptom management in the 'here and now,' as the therapist plays an active role with their clients. Being certified as a CBT therapist allowed me to help people with OCD and other phobias, and people who struggle with generalized anxiety disorder and mood disorders.

I work with children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, grief, and life adjustment difficulties. I have a master’s degree in counseling psychology with a specialization in child and adolescent development. Following my master’s program, I attended a yearlong cognitive behavioral therapy certification program, later expanding that into trauma-focused CBT. Additionally, I am trained in crisis management and critical incident response.

Taking the first step to contact NOCD is huge! The very first step to improving yourself is to admit you're struggling with something and need help. NOCD clinical treatment may sound overwhelming at first, but once you experience the first few sessions, that overwhelmed feeling is reduced. NOCD clinical treatment is about challenging you to be intentionally uncomfortable, but the discomfort is manageable. Through each challenge, you'll feel more confident in yourself and your abilities to kick OCD’s butt!

You are not alone with this concern. Most members are not 100% ready to be fully honest with their therapist. Although I'm a professional, I know it's unrealistic to expect a stranger to want to reveal everything about themselves immediately. I hope that as we spend more time working together, you'll learn to trust this safe space and can share those uncomfortable thoughts with me. Through that process, we can explore and resolve any lingering concerns and discomfort you're feeling.