Dr. Emily Hanna is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY35773) who provides psychotherapy to children (ages 7+), adolescents, and adults. She specializes in evidence-based treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and depression, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Dr. Hanna received specialized training in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders through the University of Michigan, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and the OCD & Anxiety Program of Southern California. She completed advanced training in ERP through UCLA’s OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program, and later served as a staff therapist within the intensive outpatient program (IOP), providing treatment to youth with severe OCD and related disorders. She also provided evidence-based treatment to women experiencing perinatal anxiety, OCD, and depression through UCLA’s Depression Grand Challenge.

Dr. Hanna is a Certified Provider of the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) for OCD and continues to support the program’s national implementation, and research efforts. She also holds Advanced Certification in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), is trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and is a Certified Provider of PEERS® for Young Adults.

Dr. Hanna has experience treating OCD and anxiety disorders across outpatient and intensive treatment settings. She is passionate about helping clients expand their comfort zone, tolerate uncertainty, and build lives guided by their values rather than their fears.

“Many of the concerns that bring people to therapy—whether OCD, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or difficulties in relationships—involve getting stuck in patterns that once served a purpose but are no longer helping us move toward the life we want. Therapy provides an opportunity to understand those patterns, develop new skills, and begin responding to challenges in a way that feels more flexible, intentional, and aligned with what matters most.

My approach to therapy is active, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based treatments. I draw from approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to help clients face fears, navigate uncertainty, and build confidence in their ability to handle difficult thoughts and emotions.

One of the things I find most compelling about OCD and anxiety is how convincing they can be. They often tell us that certainty is necessary before we can move forward, that we need to eliminate anxiety before taking action, or that if we think about a problem long enough, we will eventually find the “right” answer. In therapy, I help clients learn that they do not need certainty to make meaningful choices, take risks, or pursue the things that matter to them. Rather than focusing on eliminating discomfort, we work toward developing the skills to move forward even when uncertainty, anxiety, or self-doubt are present.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is watching clients discover that they are capable of far more than they initially believed. Whether someone is struggling with OCD, anxiety, depression, or a major life transition, I strive to create a warm, genuine, and supportive environment where clients feel both understood and appropriately challenged as they work toward meaningful change. It is a privilege to be part of that process.”