Compassionate, evidence-based care for children and teens with Anxiety and OCD
Available in-person in Sawtelle/ West LA or online across California — from a Doctoral Psychologist who specializes in working with kids and teens.
Child and Teen Specialist
Doctoral Level Care
Evidence based treatment
In-person and Telehealth
Core Method
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The gold standard for treating Anxiety and OCD in children and teens. It helps them identify and reshape unhelpful thought patterns.
For OCD
ERP
Exposure & Response Prevention
The most effective treatment for OCD. Safely and gradually helps children and teens face their fears rather than avoid them.
Mindfulness-Based
ACT
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Teaches kids and teens to relate differently to anxious thoughts, building psychological flexibility and resilience.
For Tics
CBIT
Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics
A specialized, evidence-based approach for children and teens experiencing tics.
Parents are partners in care
Treatment doesn't end at the therapy room door. We equip parents with practical tools to support your child or teen between sessions.
Specialized care, grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
We work exclusively with children, teens, and young adults; tailoring treatment to fit their needs.
OUR APPROACH
Meet your therapist
Dr. Mehwish Shahid
PhD. Licensed Psychologist
PSY# 34997
A specialist devoted to children and teens
I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treating children and adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
I use clinically proven approaches to equip your child or teen with the research-backed tools they need to face their fears, build confidence, and make meaningful change in their lives. I also help parents and families learn skills to effectively support children between sessions and reinforce progress at home.
I genuinely love working with children and teens, and strive to make every session engaging and effective.
What we treat
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OCD in Children and Teens
Intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and rituals that interfere with daily life. OCD can look different in kids than in adults — we know what to look for.
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Generalized Anxiety
Persistent worry across many areas of life — school, friendships, health, the future. Often shows up as stomachaches, trouble sleeping, or constant reassurance-seeking.
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Separation Anxiety
Distress when away from parents or caregivers that goes beyond what's developmentally typical. Can make school drop-offs, sleepovers, and daily routines a struggle.
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Social Anxiety
Fear of judgment, embarrassment, or being the center of attention. Kids may avoid raising their hand, attending parties, or speaking to unfamiliar people.
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Selective Mutism
Children who speak comfortably at home but freeze in school or public settings. Often misunderstood as shyness, but it's an anxiety disorder that responds well to treatment.
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School Refusal
Difficulty attending school due to anxiety, often building gradually over time. Children may start with complaints of feeling sick on school mornings.
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Phobias
Intense fears around specific situations or things — dogs, vomiting, needles, the dark, thunderstorms. Avoidance can grow and limit a child's world.
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Tics & Tourette's
Motor or vocal tics that can range from mild to disruptive. Often appear alongside anxiety or OCD and respond well to specialized behavioral treatment.
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Panic Disorder
Sudden, overwhelming episodes of fear with physical symptoms like racing heart, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Kids often fear something is medically wrong.
In-person and remote options
Our office is conveniently located at 11845 West Olympic Blvd in Sawtelle, Los Angeles. Can’t make it into the office? No worries – we’ve got you covered with teletherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If anxiety or repetitive behaviors are interfering with school, friendships, family life, or your child's happiness, it's worth a conversation. We offer free 15-minute consultations to help you figure out next steps.
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ERP is a specific type of CBT designed for OCD. While CBT works broadly with thoughts and behaviors, ERP focuses on helping children gradually face feared situations without performing compulsions.
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Research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship ( the connection between your child and their therapist) is one of the strongest predictors of successful outcomes. That's why finding the right fit matters just as much as finding the right treatment approach
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Evidence-based treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD is typically time-limited. Many children show meaningful progress within 12-20 sessions, though every child's path is unique.
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We are a private pay practice and do not bill insurance directly. However, we provide superbills (detailed receipts) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many families are able to recover a significant portion of the session cost this way. We recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card and asking about your out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health services before your first appointment. We're happy to walk you through the process if you need help getting started.
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We start with a thorough intake where we get to know your child, understand what's going on, and develop a clear treatment plan together. Sessions are structured and goal-oriented. Your child will learn specific skills and practice them in session, not just talk about their feelings. We make therapy engaging and age-appropriate so kids actually look forward to coming. Parents are involved throughout. You'll always receive regular updates regarding the skills your child is learning, the progress they are making in treatment, and the strategies you can use to support them at home. Our goal is to give your child the tools they need to manage anxiety or OCD on their own, so therapy doesn't last forever.
Get in Touch
Take the first step
Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk through what's going on and help you figure out whether we're the right fit for your family.
Phone
310 . 818 . 3904
Office
11845 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 1250
Los Angeles, CA
Virtual Appointments available across California