Grace Berman, LCSW

My approach draws on evidence-based treatments, including ERP, CBT, SPACE, and parent management training, because these are the methods with the strongest research support. Good clinical work is both a science and an art: grounded in evidence, and applied with attention to the specific needs and circumstances of each person I work with. I see children, adolescents, and adults. My background as a child clinician informs my work across the lifespan: understanding how early experiences shape the way people think, feel, and relate to others makes me a more effective therapist with adults as well. For adults living with OCD or anxiety, I bring that developmental lens alongside a genuine interest in understanding who they are and what they're working toward. Many adults come in having managed their symptoms for years, often without ever having had access to the right treatment. Getting an accurate picture of what's actually going on, and matching that to an evidence-based approach, is something I find particularly meaningful. When I work with children and adolescents, I work with the whole family system. Parents come in with a lot of knowledge about their child, and my job is to give them the tools and context to put that knowledge to use. I want caregivers to leave sessions with concrete strategies and a clearer picture of what's driving their child's behavior, feeling like capable and central participants in their child's treatment. With younger children especially, I pay attention to building rapport early. A child's first experience with mental health treatment shapes how they think about asking for help later on, and that's not something I take lightly.

Our job as therapists, parents, and educators is to help young people develop the skills to navigate these challenges, not to shame them for struggling.