Specializations
Helping You Manage Anxiety, OCD, and Chronic Pain with Evidence-Based Care
Struggling with anxiety, OCD, or chronic pain can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to go through it alone. With expert guidance and science-backed techniques, I help individuals regain control, find relief, and live a more fulfilling life.
In-person therapy in Oakland, CA & virtual sessions available throughout California and Colorado.
Expert Therapy
Dr. Naomi Edelson provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy to help clients overcome anxiety, OCD, chronic pain, and stress-related challenges. Using proven techniques like CBT, ERP, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), she helps individuals find relief, build resilience, and regain control of their lives.
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Overthinking, stress, and constant "what if" thoughts don’t have to control your life.
Anxiety can feel like a constant loop of worry—playing out worst-case scenarios, feeling overwhelmed by daily stressors, and struggling to quiet your mind. Whether it's fear about work, relationships, health, or the future, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can make even simple tasks feel exhausting.
Common Signs of Generalized Anxiety:
✔ Persistent worry that feels difficult to control
✔ Trouble relaxing or feeling "on edge" all the time
✔ Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, or fatigue
✔ Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally foggy
✔ Overanalyzing decisions or fearing the worstHow Therapy Can Help:
Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques, we’ll work to:
Identify and reframe anxious thought patterns
Develop coping strategies to manage stress in the moment
Build confidence in decision-making and problem-solving
Learn relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system
Therapy for anxiety in Oakland, CA & virtual sessions available throughout California.
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Break free from intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and rigid rituals.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more than just liking things neat and organized—it’s an anxiety-driven cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. These thoughts can feel distressing, and rituals may provide temporary relief but often take up increasing amounts of time and energy.
Common Signs of OCD:
✔ Recurring intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety
✔ Repetitive behaviors (checking, counting, cleaning) to reduce distress
✔ Fear of harm coming to yourself or others if certain actions aren’t taken
✔ Avoidance of triggers that set off compulsions
✔ Doubting your own actions or needing constant reassuranceHow Therapy Can Help:
Using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—the gold standard for OCD treatment—along with CBT and ACT, we’ll work to:
🔹 Reduce compulsions and break the obsessive cycle
🔹 Develop tools to tolerate uncertainty without ritualizing
🔹 Address underlying fears in a safe and structured way
🔹 Build confidence in managing OCD symptoms independently📍 OCD therapy in Oakland, CA & online throughout California.
Specialized Support For:
PTSD & complex trauma
Childhood or relational trauma
Emotional regulation & resilience building
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When success feels like pressure instead of fulfillment.
Perfectionism might look like high standards and ambition, but behind it can be chronic stress, self-doubt, and fear of failure. Whether you’re constantly striving for more, struggling with imposter syndrome, or feeling burnt out from the pressure to "get it right," therapy can help you find balance without sacrificing success.
Common Signs of Perfectionism:
✔ Fear of making mistakes or not meeting expectations
✔ Constant self-criticism, even after accomplishments
✔ Procrastination due to fear of failure
✔ Difficulty relaxing or "turning off" work mode
✔ Feeling that your self-worth is tied to achievementsHow Therapy Can Help:
Using CBT, ACT, and self-compassion techniques, we’ll work to:
🔹 Reduce anxiety around failure and mistakes
🔹 Shift from "all or nothing" thinking to balanced goal-setting
🔹 Develop healthier ways to measure success
🔹 Learn how to relax and enjoy accomplishments without guilt📍 Therapy for high achievers in Oakland, CA & online throughout California.
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Sudden panic attacks, fear of illness, and persistent physical symptoms don’t have to rule your life.
Panic and health anxiety can be debilitating—one moment, everything feels fine, and the next, your heart is racing, your chest feels tight, and your mind spirals with fear. Whether you’re experiencing unexpected panic attacks or constant worry about your health, therapy can help you regain control.
Common Signs of Panic & Health Anxiety:
✔ Sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort (panic attacks)
✔ Physical symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain
✔ Fear of having a serious illness despite medical reassurance
✔ Avoiding situations or activities due to fear of triggering panic
✔ Constantly checking symptoms or seeking reassurance from doctors or loved onesHow Therapy Can Help:
Using CBT, exposure therapy, and mindfulness techniques, we’ll work to:
🔹 Understand the cycle of panic and how to break it
🔹 Develop coping tools to calm your nervous system in real time
🔹 Reduce excessive symptom-checking and reassurance-seeking
🔹 Build confidence in managing anxiety without avoidance📍 Therapy for panic attacks and health anxiety in Oakland, CA & online throughout California.
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Struggling to make decisions or take action? Let’s break the cycle.
Procrastination isn’t laziness—it’s often tied to anxiety, fear of failure, perfectionism, or overwhelm. If you find yourself putting things off, avoiding decisions, or feeling stuck, therapy can help you understand the underlying causes and develop strategies to move forward.
Common Signs of Procrastination & Indecision:
✔ Feeling stuck in overthinking or analysis paralysis
✔ Putting off tasks due to anxiety or fear of mistakes
✔ Feeling unmotivated or overwhelmed by big projects
✔ Relying on last-minute pressure to get things done
✔ Struggling with self-doubt and second-guessing decisionsHow Therapy Can Help:
Using CBT, ACT, and habit-building techniques, we’ll work to:
🔹 Identify the emotional roadblocks behind procrastination
🔹 Develop realistic strategies for getting started and staying on track
🔹 Overcome decision-making anxiety and build confidence
🔹 Shift from avoidance to action with small, manageable steps📍 Therapy for procrastination and decision-making struggles in Oakland, CA & online throughout California.
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Manage chronic pain, regain function, and improve quality of life.
Chronic pain isn’t just physical—it affects your emotions, relationships, and daily routines. I specialize in Pain Psychology and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), helping clients reduce pain-related distress, rewire the brain’s response to pain, and restore a sense of normalcy.
Common Conditions I Treat:
Chronic Pain & Medically Unexplained Symptoms – When traditional treatments haven’t worked.
Chronic Pelvic Pain & Women’s Health Issues – Addressing pain linked to endometriosis, IC, and other conditions.
Burnout & Work-Related Stress – Emotional and physical exhaustion from high-pressure environments.
Grief, Trauma & PTSD – Coping with past experiences and loss-related pain.
Treatment Approaches:
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) – Retraining the brain’s response to pain.
ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) – Helping you live fully, despite discomfort.
CBT for Chronic Pain – Changing unhelpful thought patterns that amplify pain.
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Your pain is real. Let’s address it—physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
Chronic pelvic pain and other medically unexplained symptoms can be frustrating and isolating—especially when test results come back "normal," but you still feel unwell. Conditions like endometriosis, interstitial cystitis (IC), IBS, and fibromyalgia can impact your daily life, relationships, and mental health.
Common Concerns:
✔ Persistent pelvic pain with no clear medical explanation
✔ Symptoms that worsen with stress or anxiety
✔ Feeling dismissed by doctors or misunderstood by loved ones
✔ The emotional toll of living with chronic painHow Therapy Can Help:
Using Pain Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), we’ll work to:
🔹 Rewire the brain’s response to pain and reduce symptom intensity
🔹 Develop strategies to manage stress-related pain flare-ups
🔹 Address emotional distress linked to chronic illness
🔹 Build resilience and improve overall quality of life📍 Therapy for chronic pain and medically unexplained symptoms in Oakland, CA & online throughout California.
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Managing career pressure, emotional exhaustion, and the invisible workload.
We often juggle multiple roles—employee, leader, mother, partner, caregiver—leaving little time for self-care and emotional recovery. Chronic work stress can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even physical symptoms.
Signs of Workplace Burnout:
✔ Constant exhaustion, even after a full night’s sleep
✔ Feeling emotionally drained, detached, or unmotivated
✔ Anxiety or irritability linked to work tasks
✔ Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
✔ Physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or muscle tensionHow Therapy Can Help:
🔹 Develop healthy work-life boundaries
🔹 Manage perfectionism & imposter syndrome
🔹 Learn stress-reduction techniques to prevent burnout
🔹 Build confidence and assertiveness in professional settings📍 Therapy for burnout and work-related stress in Oakland, CA & online throughout California.
Why Work With Naomi?
Licensed therapist with more than 15 years providing expert psychological care
Evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs
Compassionate, judgment-free support to help you grow
In-person therapy in Oakland, CA & virtual sessions available throughout California and Colorado.