Paula Fistein

I decided to become a therapist because I love helping people. I love to learn how the mind works—thoughts, behaviors, and personalities. As a young person, I was always curious about how people behaved and presented themselves. As a result, when I noticed someone being bullied, hurt, or sad, I wanted to comfort them and cheer them up. I became the go-to person when my friends needed advice or just someone to talk to, because they didn’t feel judged or that I would tell them how to do things 'the right way.'

I’ve always been intrigued by OCD and how it shows up differently for everyone. Having seen firsthand how it affects a loved one and those around them, I was intrigued by ERP therapy and how effective it is in treating OCD. I decided to specialize because I love to see results, and seeing people get better through evidence-based treatment is something I want to be part of.

My clinical background is in substance abuse. I have extensive training in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma.

Know that this is the first step in the right direction to understand yourself better, to get better, and to feel better. The process is very thorough, and it is designed with you in mind. Everything we do pertains to you individually, and it's done in a collaborative way. I'm here to guide you along the way and check in with you in between sessions.

Understand that I'm here to help you, so the more information you provide, the better I can help you, and the more we can reduce symptoms of OCD. At the beginning, it can seem scary to share intrusive, unwanted thoughts. Sharing how scary those thoughts are can be helpful, even if you can’t say what they are. Acknowledging the theme or what they relate to can help us talk about the actual thoughts and how they affect you.