David J. Ready PhD

I start with a thorough assessment, focusing on each patient’s specific needs. I use decades of experience with evidence-based treatments to help patients achieve their goals. Evidence-based treatments are often significantly more effective and efficient than other types of psychotherapy. My patients learn the skills that are necessary to manage symptoms on their own. Most of my OCD patients can do this within a few months. They learn techniques that they will use the rest of their lives even if their OCD themes change. Although ERP can be challenging, I help most patients change their lives by facing their fears.

I have been providing evidence-based treatments, such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for over 40 years. Most of my ERP patients report clinically significant and lasting reductions in OCD symptoms within the first eight weeks (average reduction over 50%). I design ERP exercises that, although sometimes challenging, are tolerable and often lead to lasting change. My practice is Zoom based and I can treat patients in 27 states. We start with a thorough assessment. After that I can tell you if I am likely to help you gain control of your OCD symptoms. I do not take insurance.

About half of my patients in my over 40-year career have been African Americans. I also have worked with many women. I treated combat veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for over 30 years and helped develop new, exposure-based, PTSD treatments. There is significant overlap between those treatments and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. I have used ERP with about 90% of the patients I have treated in the last two years. Most of them achieved their treatment goals because I helped them face their fears. ERP is by far the most effective OCD treatment I have ever seen.

Although I have taken numerous class and workshops related to diversity in my over 40-year career I find the best approach is to simply focus on each individual’s experiences/point of view. Part of my job as a psychologist is to create a safe space for my patients to express their diversity related concerns. I do not assume that all persons from a specific minority group have the same experience. I believe it is important to understand each individual’s unique life experience and be sensitive to the possible impact of our society on that person’s life.