I’m Dr. Heather Antanavica, a research psychologist and AMFT specializing in OCD and PTSD. My work is rooted in the belief that people heal best when they understand why their mind and body respond the way they do. When symptoms finally make sense, relief becomes possible and real change can begin.

I help individuals untangle the patterns that keep them stuck: obsessive doubt, reassurance-seeking, trauma responses, dissociation, hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm, and the nervous-system habits shaped by past experiences. My clinical approach integrates evidence-based treatments, including ERP, I-CBT, EMDR, IFS, and Somatic Experiencing (SE) with a warm, relational style that allows patients to feel understood rather than pathologized.

In addition to my therapy work, I’m a course developer, speaker and educator. I teach on topics such as trauma and the nervous system, the science of intrusive thoughts, how OCD is often misdiagnosed, the overlap between trauma and OCD, and how early experiences shape adult emotional patterns. My goal is to make complex psychological concepts accessible, practical, and empowering for both the general public and professionals.

My background includes years 10 of clinical/mental health work, 6 years teaching as an adjunct professor of psychology, and creating widely shared educational content about OCD, trauma, and mental health literacy.

Whether I’m working with a patient, speaking to an audience, or teaching other clinicians, my mission is the same:
to help people understand their mind so they can live with clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

If you’re looking for therapy, training, or a speaker for your organization, I’d be honored to support your work.