Conditions

Teletherapy & Masked In-Office Sessions

Massachusetts

In light of the continued safety concerns presented by COVID-19, sessions are offered virtually or in-office with one-way masking, ventilation and filtration. Owing to licensing limitations in the US, remote therapy is only available to those residing in Massachusetts or in the few states that permit out-of-state providers to practice.

International

Remote therapy is offered internationally to the following regions or countries:

Canada
virtual treatment of OCD to residents of New Zealand
Western Europe
Virtual CBT for OCD offered to residents of Europe
Eastern Europe
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Latin American
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New Zealand
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Australia
Virtual treatment of OCD for residents of Australia
Becoming A Client
  • You must be over the age of 17
  • Be seeking help for OCD or one of the anxiety conditions listed
  • Have a high level of motivation
  • Have a commitment to follow through with structure and challenges of CBT.
  • Have a supportive network of family and/or friends
  • Be employed, studying or transitioning from college to work
  • Not be dependent on alcohol or other substances.
  • Not have a history of suicide attempts within the past 10 years
  • Not have experienced active suicidal ideation within the past 5 years
  • Not have struggled with an eating disorder within past 10 years
  • Not have engaged in acts of physical aggression within the past 10 years
  • Not have experienced suicidal ideation over the past 5 years
  • Not have engaged in cutting or other forms of self-injury within the past 5 years
  • Not have a mood disorder
  • Not have significant social skill or social awareness challenges
  • Not have a history or untreated adult or childhood trauma
Insurances Accepted
Ages Treated
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Teens 17 and older

I work with teens seeking treatment for OCD, starting at age 17. I am very selective when accepting teens. It is essential that the person have the maturity and high level of motivation required for CBT. I do not work with teens who are being forced (or court mandated) into treatment by a parent or school. Essentially, the initiative and drive to do battle with the extreme challenges of obsessional anxiety must come from you, the teen.

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Young Adults

Anxiety can be a roadblock during the transition from adolescence to independent adulthood. Not uncommonly, obsessive compulsive disorder and related anxiety symptoms often worsen with the challenges of college or starting a career. Thus, therapy can have quite a positive impact during this phase of life. However, as with teens, the motivational motor to address these challenges and put the work in might not be in place yet. Consequently, I am also selective when accepting young adults, screening carefully for maturity, motivation and commitment.

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Adults

I work with adults seeking treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms (OCS) and/or one or more of the anxiety disorders I treat. Onset of OCD and anxiety usually predates adulthood. However, OCD, OCS and anxiety can increase in severity over time and compromise functioning and quality of life. The perinatal period can be a time of full-blown onset of OCD or related anxieties. As with young adults, motivation is a must, and in the case of adults, one must be willing to change engrained fears and avoidance. If retired, I do require that the person be engaged in community activities

Telephone Screening

I conduct a brief telephone screening prior to setting up an initial appointment in order to review the symptoms for which treatment is being sought. The screening is also intended to rule out conditions and circumstances I do not treat. I do ask that that all prospective clients read through this site, particularly my approach and the conditions I treat prior to contacting me.

What Is Explored
  • The specific anxiety symptoms and behaviors you are struggling with.
  • The reason(s) why therapy is being sought now.
  • Co-existing anxiety disorders and other conditions beyond minor depression secondary depression and/or mild ADHD are present.
  • That motivation and commitment to change is very high and that the decision to seek therapy is not driven by pressure from family, parents, partners, schools or a legal process.
  • The importance of being able to tolerate the significant distress experienced when facing fears and reversing avoidance.
  • The organizational skills CBT requires to complete homework: readings, monitoring and charting.
  • I review the cognitive and behavioral therapy approaches I use, particularly the Inferential Based Approach (IBA)
  • The impact that pandemic has had and is having on your life
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© 2023 Robert Safion, M.Ed.

Treatment of Obsessional Spectrum Anxiety

6 Harris Street, Newburyport, MA 01950