OCD Therapists for Kids & Teens in California (2026)

OLEE Index · Updated November 2026

7 OCD specialists in California list children or adolescents among the people they treat. For kids and teens, the most effective approach is ERP adapted for their age, usually with parents involved to reduce family accommodation. Here are the highest-ranked pediatric OCD therapists in California.

7
OCD providers scored
6
score 80 or higher
1
offer telehealth
3
accepting new patients

Top 7 OCD specialists, ranked by OLEE score

Scores are out of 100 and based only on public evidence of OCD expertise: how clearly a provider describes exposure and response prevention (ERP), how central OCD is to their practice, specialized training and affiliations, and credentials. No one pays to be listed or ranked. How we score.

  1. #1

    John Piacentini

    PhD, ABPP · Los Angeles, CA

    UCLA Child OCD Anxiety & Tic Disorders Program

    100/ 100
    Treats children
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  2. #2

    Melody Keller

    PhD · Menlo Park, CA

    Pacific Anxiety Group

    91/ 100
    Treats children
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  3. #3

    Sisi Guo

    PhD · Los Angeles, CA

    UCLA Pediatric OCD IOP

    90/ 100
    Treats children
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  4. #4

    Danielle Cornacchio

    PhD · Los Angeles (West LA), CA

    WaveMind Clinic

    89/ 100
    Accepting new patientsTreats children
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  5. #5

    Lindsey Bergman

    PhD · Los Angeles (West LA), CA

    WaveMind Clinic

    84/ 100
    Accepting new patientsTreats children
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  6. #6

    Minh-Chau Do

    PhD · Los Angeles, CA

    The Kintsugi Practice

    81/ 100
    TelehealthTreats childrenLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  7. #7

    Willa Marquis

    PhD · San Diego, CA

    Marquis Child Psychology

    60/ 100
    Accepting new patientsTreats children
See all 7 with more filters →

More ways to find OCD help in California

All OCD therapists in California682Telehealth (online therapy)541Accepting new patients201Spanish-speaking56LGBTQ+ affirming166

OCD therapists by city in California

Los Angeles151San Francisco Bay Area110San Diego54Sacramento15

Find the right specialist

How to find a qualified OCD specialist on OLEE

Most therapists who list OCD were never trained in the treatment that works. Here’s how to find one who was.

  1. Search your state, sorted by score

    Open OLEE search, choose your state and sort by score. We scored more than 5,000 OCD providers on publicly verifiable evidence of OCD expertise. No one pays to be listed or ranked.

  2. Narrow it to what you need

    Filter for telehealth, your insurance, accepting new patients or Spanish-speaking providers.

  3. Check “What we verified” on each profile

    Every profile shows the evidence behind the score. Look for: A clear description of how they use exposure and response prevention (ERP); specialized OCD training such as the IOCDF’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI); and an International OCD Foundation listing.

  4. Ask before you book

    “Do you use exposure and response prevention, and where were you trained in it?” and “How many of your current clients have OCD?” A real specialist answers clearly and specifically.
Search OCD specialists

FAQ

Who are the best child and teen OCD therapists in California?

Based on the OLEE Index, the highest-scoring OCD specialists in California who treat children and adolescents are John Piacentini (100/100), Melody Keller (91/100) and Sisi Guo (90/100).

What is the best treatment for OCD in children?

Exposure and response prevention (ERP), adapted for the child’s age and usually involving parents, is the first-line treatment. For moderate to severe OCD, an SSRI may be added. Family-based approaches that reduce accommodation at home are an important part of care.

At what age can a child start OCD therapy?

Children as young as five or six can benefit from ERP adapted to their level, with parents playing a large role. Look for a clinician who specifically lists children or adolescents and describes family involvement.

What should I look for in an OCD therapist?

Look for someone who specifically uses exposure and response prevention (ERP) and for whom OCD is a large part of their caseload. Specialized training such as the IOCDF Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) is a strong signal. Ask how many of their current clients have OCD.

OLEE scores measure publicly verifiable signals of OCD expertise, not treatment outcomes. Always confirm licensure, availability and fit directly with a provider. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (US).