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Danielle McDowell, LCSW
Clinical Director/OCD & Anxiety Specialist
Arizona, California, Colorado,Connecticut, New Jersey, Utah
Accepting New Clients

Danielle McDowell, LCSW OCD and Anxiety Specialist

If your mind feels like it won’t give you a break—if intrusive thoughts pull you into endless “what ifs,” anxiety shrinks your world, or fear convinces you that relief is just out of reach—you’re not alone. Many of the people I work with feel exhausted by their own minds, disconnected from the life they want to be living, and frustrated that reassurance, insight, or traditional talk therapy hasn’t brought lasting change.

I specialize in helping children, teens, and adults break free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). My clients often struggle with intrusive thoughts, mental and physical compulsions, avoidance, perfectionism, and a constant sense of urgency to “fix” or neutralize fear—patterns that can quietly take over daily life and relationships.

At the heart of my work is helping people reclaim what anxiety and OCD have taken from them: time, energy, confidence, and connection. I believe therapy should be both compassionate and directional—supportive enough to feel safe, and structured enough to lead to real change. Together, we focus on building the skills needed to face fear differently, reduce compulsions, and move toward a life guided by values rather than anxiety.

I am trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). These evidence-based approaches allow us to address not just symptoms, but the patterns that keep anxiety and OCD in control. My goal is not lifelong therapy, but helping clients build confidence in their ability to handle discomfort and uncertainty on their own.

I also bring lived experience into this work—not only as a clinician, but as a parent of a child with OCD. That perspective has shaped how I approach treatment, family support, and advocacy. I understand how isolating and confusing OCD can feel, both personally and professionally, and I bring that understanding into every session with clarity, humility, and hope.

In addition to my clinical work, I serve as the Clinical Director of TrueNorth OCD & Anxiety Specialists, where I lead and train a team of therapists committed to delivering ethical, evidence-based care. I am an IOCDF Advocate and a regular presenter at the International OCD Foundation Conference, where I educate clinicians, families, and communities about OCD across the lifespan. I am especially passionate about the intersection of OCD with chronic illness, disability, and neurodiversity.

Outside of traditional therapy, I am a 500-hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with over 18 years of experience integrating mindfulness, somatic awareness, and nervous-system regulation into healing spaces. When clinically appropriate, I incorporate these practices to support resilience, presence, and self-compassion—never as a replacement for evidence-based treatment, but as a supportive complement.

At TrueNorth, I lead with compassion, clinical excellence, and the belief that recovery is possible—even when it doesn’t feel that way yet. Whether you’re a client seeking meaningful relief or a therapist hoping to grow in this work, I’m glad you’re here. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Rates

  • Individual Diagnostic Assessment (50 minutes): $250

  • Individual Therapy Session (50 minutes): $225

  • Individual Therapy Session (30 minutes): $110

Insurance:
I am not currently in-network with insurance plans but can provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

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