Matthew Perlman PhD

I have significant experience working with those affected by obsessive thinking and OCD. My work typically blends gold-standard treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with cutting-edge strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to provide an effective basis for therapy.

I've worked with numerous clients facing a range of anxiety-related challenges, including excessive worry, social anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy techniques, I guide clients in reducing anxiety in meaningful, lasting ways, ensuring that we tackle the underlying drivers rather than merely masking symptoms.

My approach to treating trauma and adversity is rooted in a strong collaboration with my clients. We work together to understand the impact of trauma and adversity and decide as a team how to best address it. I incorporate evidence-based treatments like Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help clients process traumatic memories, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and build lasting resilience in the face of adversity.

Much of my clinical practice is rooted in research-supported CBT principles and interventions. I regularly incorporate CBT strategies and principles in my work to help clients re-examine unhelpful patterns of thinking, behaving, and coping. Together, we work to break free from limiting beliefs and develop healthier, more effective strategies for achieving a broader perspective and lasting emotional well-being. My goal is to empower clients to create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

I have advanced experience in DBT, having worked in intensive DBT treatment settings as an individual therapist, DBT skills group leader, and phone coach. When appropriate, I continue to integrate core concepts from DBT in my current practice with clients to help them navigate intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop a more balanced perspective when facing life's challenges.

In my work, I regularly use ERP to help clients facing OCD and anxiety/phobia-related challenges. By guiding clients to (safely) confront feared situations or thoughts, we're able to reduce distress and break free from limiting patterns. Through targeted exposure in a supportive setting, I help clients build resilience, regain control, and develop entirely new ways of approaching previously feared situations.