Best OCD Therapists in Columbus, OH (2026)

OLEE Index · Updated November 2026

We scored 27 providers in the Columbus area who say they treat OCD, using only public evidence of real OCD expertise. These are the highest-ranked OCD therapists and specialists in Columbus, from the providers we've verified so far.

27
OCD providers scored
5
score 80 or higher
10
offer telehealth
0
accepting new patients

Narrow it down

Telehealth (10)LGBTQ+ affirming (2)

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

    Lawrence Needleman

    PhD · Columbus, OH

    Columbus OCD and Anxiety Clinic / OSU

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

  2. #2

    Beth McCreary

    PhD, ABPP · Worthington, OH

    Anxiety and Behavioral Health Services

    93/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Specialized OCD training or affiliations

  3. #3

    Joseph DeCola

    PhD · Worthington, OH

    Anxiety and Behavioral Health Services

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

  4. #4

    Matthew Free

    PhD · Columbus, OH

    Columbus OCD and Anxiety Clinic

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

  5. #5

    Justin Braun

    LPCC · Columbus, OH

    Columbus OCD and Anxiety Clinic

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

  6. #6

    Keri Willard

    LPC · Columbus, OH

    Columbus OCD and Anxiety Clinic

    77/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  7. #7

    Megan Bartholomew

    PhD · Columbus, OH

    OCD & Anxiety Center of Columbus

    75/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice

  8. #8

    Paul Kitzmiller

    LPC · Columbus, OH

    Columbus OCD and Anxiety Clinic

    75/ 100
    Telehealth
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  9. #9

    Jay C.J. Fournier

    PhD · Columbus, OH

    Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

    72/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP

  10. #10

    Lisa Halley

    LISW-S · Grove City, OH

    Milestone Counseling

    72/ 100
    Telehealth
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  11. #11

    Emily Hemendinger

    LPCC · Columbus, OH

    Columbus OCD and Anxiety Clinic

    69/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  12. #12

    Cheryl Colvin

    PhD · Columbus, OH

    Colvin Psychology

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

  13. #13

    Laren Conklin

    PhD · Columbus, OH

    66/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP

  14. #14

    Bethany Retterer

    LPCC · Columbus, OH

    Ember & Oak Counseling

    66/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice

  15. #15

    Emily Kuhn

    PhD · Columbus, OH

    65/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP

  16. #16

    Brooke Holcomb

    LISW · Columbus, OH

    65/ 100
    Telehealth
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  17. #17

    Michael Bayda

    MSW, LISW · Columbus, OH

    65/ 100
    Telehealth
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  18. #18

    Katherine Moss

    LISW · Columbus, OH

    Solo Practice

    65/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  19. #19

    Lauren Esworthy

    LPCC · Worthington, OH

    64/ 100
    Telehealth
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓OCD is a core focus of the practice
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory

  20. #20

    Gabby Silone

    MA, LPCC · Worthington, OH

    Anxiety and Behavioral Health Services

    63/ 100
    ✓Strong, specific evidence of ERP
    ✓Listed in the IOCDF directory
See all 27 with filters →

More OCD therapists in Ohio

Cleveland18Cincinnati14All of Ohio123

Find a specific kind of OCD help in Ohio

Telehealth (online therapy)57Accepting new patients9LGBTQ+ affirming12

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 Columbus?

Based on the OLEE Index, the highest-scoring OCD specialists in Columbus are Lawrence Needleman (100/100), Beth McCreary (93/100) and Joseph DeCola (89/100). 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 Columbus?

OLEE has scored 27 providers in Columbus who list OCD as a focus. 5 of them score 80 or higher, meaning strong public evidence of OCD-specific training and ERP.

Can I see an OCD therapist in Columbus by telehealth?

Yes. 10 of the providers we scored in Columbus offer telehealth. A therapist generally needs to be licensed in the state where you are located during sessions, so look for one licensed in Ohio, or one who participates in an interstate licensing compact that covers Ohio.

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).