Lesley Bittner
Licensed Therapist, MSW, LCSW
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I take a warm, compassionate, and down-to-earth approach to OCD treatment. I believe therapy works best when it's a true collaboration. Together, we’ll focus on what matters most to you, what’s been getting in the way, and how to build confidence as you move toward the life you want to live. With practice, therapy, and support, you can move beyond the limitations you once thought OCD had placed on your life. I also have experience treating anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, PTSD, and people with autism.
I take a warm, compassionate, and down-to-earth approach to OCD treatment. I believe therapy works best when it's a true collaboration. Together, we’ll focus on what matters most to you, what’s been getting in the way, and how to build confidence as you move toward the life you want to live. With practice, therapy, and support, you can move beyond the limitations you once thought OCD had placed on your life. I also have experience treating anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, PTSD, and people with autism.
Location
Licensed in North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina
About
Clinical Expertise
OCD, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, Children and Adolescents
Education
University of Pittsburgh
Insurance
Plans accepted by Lesley
Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Ascension SmartHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, Capital BlueCross, Cigna, ClaimDOC, Claritev (MultiPlan) PHCS, Curative, Forest County Potawatomi, GEHA, Horizon BCBS, Imagine Health, Independence Blue Cross, Medical Mutual, Meritain Health, Partners Direct Health, Student Blue, UHC Student Services, UMR, UMR - The Alliance, United Health Care Student Services, United Healthcare, United Healthcare Shared Services,
Want to work with Lesley?
Talk with our team to learn more.
Get to know Lesley
Why I became a therapist
I always knew I wanted to be in some kind of helping profession, even though the path to becoming a therapist wasn't a straight line. My first experience working in behavioral health was at a summer inclusion camp for kids with autism, and I really loved it. I chose to specialize in OCD because I've seen how much it can interfere with people's lives, their relationships, and their sense of self. It's meaningful to walk alongside my Members as they learn that they don't have to let OCD make their decisions anymore.
How I create a safe, supportive environment in therapy
Creating a safe and supportive environment starts with making sure you know you don't have to face OCD alone. My own experience with mental health concerns and being in therapy has taught me the power of having someone in your corner. Therapy works best when it's a true collaboration. I bring a warm, compassionate, and down-to-earth approach to sessions—and a little humor sometimes too.
What I want you to know about ERP
It makes a lot of sense to feel hesitant, scared, or unsure about starting exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. Facing feared thoughts or situations can feel overwhelming at first. But ERP isn't about jumping into your hardest fears right away. It's a gradual, structured process where we go step by step, building tolerance for discomfort at a pace that feels manageable but challenging. Most people don't start feeling 100% ready—they start because staying stuck has become harder than trying something new. We'll take that first small step together.
My approach to treating OCD
My approach blends evidence-based OCD treatment with a focus on you as a whole person, not just your symptoms. We'll do the structured work of exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy while also paying attention to what matters most to you—what kind of life you want to be living and what OCD has been getting in the way of. I want you to understand why we're doing what we're doing and feel like you have an active voice in the process.
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