Paola Villa
Licensed Therapist, MSW, LCSW
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You are not alone in the difficulties you're going through. There's a light at the end of the tunnel if you're willing to commit to the work. My approach to treating OCD is to challenge you at an appropriate level. We'll collaborate to decide what exposures you feel most comfortable with, and I'll never put you in a situation I wouldn't be willing to be in myself. Beyond OCD, I have experience treating generalized anxiety and social anxiety. Additionally, I'm trained in treating body-focused repetitive behaviors.
You are not alone in the difficulties you're going through. There's a light at the end of the tunnel if you're willing to commit to the work. My approach to treating OCD is to challenge you at an appropriate level. We'll collaborate to decide what exposures you feel most comfortable with, and I'll never put you in a situation I wouldn't be willing to be in myself. Beyond OCD, I have experience treating generalized anxiety and social anxiety. Additionally, I'm trained in treating body-focused repetitive behaviors.
Location
Licensed in California
About
Clinical Expertise
OCD, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, Skin picking, Hair pulling, Nail biting, Tics, Children and Adolescents
LGBTQ+ affirming
Cultural competencies
Christianity, Other, Agnosticism
Education
Arizona State University
Insurance
Plans accepted by Paola
Aetna, Ascension SmartHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Shield, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Curative, Forest County Potawatomi, GEHA, Horizon BCBS, Independence Blue Cross, Kaiser - Northern California Region, Kaiser - Southern California Region, Oscar Health, Partners Direct Health, Positive Healthcare, UHC Student Services, UMR - The Alliance, United Health Care Student Services, United Healthcare, Western Health Advantage,
Want to work with Paola ?
Talk with our team to learn more.
Get to know Paola
What I want to help you see in yourself
I want you to have self-compassion. I try to incorporate that into sessions. How can we be mindful about where our thoughts are going? How can we approach our thoughts differently? I think a lot of people feel very frazzled and wonder if they're going in the right direction. Being able to take a step back and remember that no one really has it totally figured out is important.
My message to you if you're struggling right now
Starting therapy can seem scary, and when you're in it, it can also feel scary, but the finish line is so rewarding. I have worked with a lot of people, and I'm always so grateful when they stick with it. It's not always rainbows and butterflies, but you gain so much more control of your life, and it really does make it all worth it.
The most rewarding part of treating OCD
Seeing people be able to go back to living their lives and not be stuck in their heads—just being very proactive in life and doing things, and not sitting at home worrying about what may or may not happen. I really have seen a lot of people start to live their lives more fully through ERP. It can be hard, but they get through it, and they're so happy that they got through it. There can still be hard days, but they know how to manage them a lot better.
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