Best OCD Therapists in Iowa (2026)

OLEE Index · Updated November 2026

We scored 33 providers in Iowa who say they treat OCD, using only public evidence of real OCD expertise. Here are the highest-ranked OCD therapists and specialists in Iowa. Many offer telehealth anywhere in the state.

33
OCD providers scored
6
score 80 or higher
14
offer telehealth
6
accepting new patients

Narrow it down

Telehealth (14)Accepting new patients (6)LGBTQ+ affirming (5)

Top 20 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

    Erin Stevens

    PhD, LP · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety & OCD Treatment Services

    92/ 100
    Accepting new patients
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  2. #2

    Joseph Bardeen

    PhD, LP · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety & OCD Treatment Services

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

  3. #3

    Karen Nelson

    PhD · Iowa City, IA

    Eastwind Healing Center

    88/ 100
    Accepting new patients
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  4. #4

    Jamie Dunn

    LMHC, LPC · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety & OCD Treatment Services

    83/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  5. #5

    Rachel Price

    PhD, LP · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety & OCD Treatment Services

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

  6. #6

    Erika Meierding

    PhD, LP · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety & OCD Treatment Services

    80/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  7. #7

    Alicia Bruzek

    LMHC · Cedar Rapids, IA

    Cultivate Therapy

    79/ 100
    Accepting new patientsLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  8. #8

    Zach Pacha

    LISW · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety and OCD Center of Iowa

    74/ 100
    Accepting new patients
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice

  9. #9

    Melissa Lukse

    PhD · Iowa City, IA

    Private Practice

    72/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice

  10. #10

    Angela Shunnarah

    LICSW, LMSW · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety & OCD Treatment Services

    69/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  11. #11

    Lisa Heiden-Kimball

    LMHC · Waterloo, IA

    68/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  12. #12

    Sara E. Wise

    PhD · Iowa City, IA

    67/ 100
    Telehealth
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  13. #13

    Judy Nemmers

    LISW · Telehealth (IA), IA

    Insomnia, Anxiety & OCD Services of Iowa

    67/ 100
    TelehealthAccepting new patients
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice

  14. #14

    Megan Rose

    LMHC · Hiawatha, IA

    66/ 100
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  15. #15

    Trisha Crabbs

    LMHC · Des Moines, IA

    64/ 100
    Telehealth
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  16. #16

    Brit Sweet

    MSW, LISW, LCSW · Telehealth (IA), IA

    NOCD / TreatMyOCD

    64/ 100
    Telehealth
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice

  17. #17

    Katie Schickel

    LISW · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety and OCD Center of Iowa

    63/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice

  18. #18

    Zach Howard

    LMSW · West Des Moines, IA

    Anxiety and OCD Center of Iowa

    60/ 100

  19. #19

    Kristin B. Bowers

    LMHC · Iowa City, IA

    59/ 100
    TelehealthLGBTQ+ affirming
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  20. #20

    Caitlin Clem

    LISW · Shenandoah, IA

    58/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
See all 33 with filters →

Find a specific kind of OCD help in Iowa

Telehealth (online therapy)14Accepting new patients6LGBTQ+ affirming5

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 OCD therapists in Iowa?

Based on the OLEE Index, the highest-scoring OCD specialists in Iowa are Erin Stevens (92/100), Joseph Bardeen (89/100) and Karen Nelson (88/100). Scores reflect publicly verifiable evidence of OCD expertise, including how clearly a provider uses exposure and response prevention (ERP), how central OCD is to their practice, and specialized training.

How many OCD specialists are there in Iowa?

OLEE has scored 33 providers in Iowa who list OCD as a focus. 6 of them score 80 or higher, meaning strong public evidence of OCD-specific training and ERP.

Can I see an OCD therapist in Iowa by telehealth?

Yes. 14 of the providers we scored in Iowa offer telehealth. A therapist generally needs to be licensed in the state where you are located during sessions, so look for one licensed in Iowa, or one who participates in an interstate licensing compact that covers Iowa.

What should I look for in an OCD therapist?

Look for someone who specifically uses exposure and response prevention (ERP), the first-line therapy for OCD, 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 and how they handle mental compulsions and reassurance-seeking.

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).