Licensed to practice in 3 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD), Self Esteem and 7 more.

Dr. KJ Foster

LMHC, 12 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

Seeking therapy takes courage, and finding the right therapist matters. My goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, respected, and never judged. I specialize in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, panic, relationship OCD (ROCD), health anxiety, perfectionism, and intrusive thoughts. My primary treatment approach is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for OCD treatment, combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and compassion-focused strategies that help you build resilience rather than simply reduce symptoms. I believe that meaningful change happens when evidence-based treatment is paired with genuine compassion. ERP can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to. We'll move at a pace that challenges you while ensuring you feel supported every step of the way. My role is never to force you into difficult experiences but to help you develop the confidence to face them with courage. Clients often tell me they appreciate that I explain how anxiety and OCD work in ways that make sense. Understanding what your brain is doing reduces shame and helps you respond differently instead of remaining trapped in cycles of fear, avoidance, or compulsions. As a licensed mental health counselor with a PhD in Counselor Education, I bring years of experience while fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, and hope. Together, we'll work toward lasting freedom from anxiety so you can live a fuller, more meaningful life.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session is about getting to know you, not judging you. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, how anxiety or OCD has been affecting your life, and what you hope will be different moving forward. If you're struggling with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or fears that feel embarrassing or difficult to share, know that this is a safe place. I've worked with people experiencing many different forms of OCD and anxiety, and my priority is helping you feel understood, not judged. Together, we'll develop a personalized treatment plan based on your goals, answer your questions about ERP, and discuss what therapy will look like. You'll leave with a better understanding of your symptoms, a sense of hope, and a clear path forward.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I bring both clinical expertise and genuine compassion to every session. My specialty is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the most effective evidence-based treatment for OCD, combined with CBT, ACT, and DBT to meet your individual needs. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable opening up because I provide a calm, accepting, and nonjudgmental environment. I understand that anxiety and OCD can cause people to question themselves or feel ashamed of their thoughts. My goal is to help you replace fear and self-criticism with understanding, courage, and self-compassion. I also believe therapy should be practical. I'll help you understand why your brain responds the way it does, teach skills you can use outside of session, and support you as you gradually face the fears that have been keeping you stuck. Together, we'll build confidence, resilience, and lasting change.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are adults and older adolescents who are ready to better understand their anxiety, OCD, or overwhelming emotions and are motivated to create lasting change. They may feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, intrusive thoughts, compulsions, panic, perfectionism, or constant self-doubt. Many are high-achieving individuals who appear to have everything together on the outside while privately struggling with fear, uncertainty, or emotional exhaustion. I especially enjoy working with people experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including relationship OCD (ROCD), health anxiety, scrupulosity, and other forms of intrusive thoughts. I also work with clients experiencing generalized anxiety, panic attacks, stress, and life transitions. The clients who tend to benefit most from working with me are open to learning, curious about how their mind and nervous system work, and willing to practice new skills between sessions. You don't need to have everything figured out or feel "ready." You simply need a willingness to take small, courageous steps toward the life you want. If you're looking for a therapist who combines evidence-based treatment, especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), with warmth, compassion, and a nonjudgmental approach, we'd likely be a good fit.

Other specialties

Addiction

Depression

Spirituality

Trauma and PTSD

I identify as

Serves ages

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop a different relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, ACT teaches you how to make room for uncomfortable experiences while choosing actions that align with your values. This approach helps reduce the struggle with anxiety and allows you to build a rich, meaningful life, even when fear or uncertainty is present.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to anxiety, stress, and emotional distress. Together, we'll examine unhelpful beliefs, develop more balanced ways of thinking, and learn practical coping skills that improve emotional well-being. My approach to CBT is collaborative, practical, and focused on creating lasting change through real-life application.

Compassion Focused

Compassion-focused approaches help clients replace self-criticism with self-understanding and emotional resilience. Many people struggling with anxiety or OCD are incredibly hard on themselves, which often intensifies emotional suffering. I help clients develop a more compassionate inner voice, respond to setbacks with kindness rather than judgment, and create a greater sense of emotional safety. Self-compassion is not about lowering standards. It is about building the inner strength needed to face life's challenges with courage and resilience.

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and many anxiety disorders. Together, we'll gradually face feared situations, thoughts, or sensations while resisting the urge to engage in compulsions, avoidance, or reassurance-seeking. ERP is always collaborative and paced to your readiness. My goal is to help you build confidence, increase tolerance for uncertainty, and retrain your brain to recognize that you are stronger than your anxiety.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

I incorporate mindfulness-based techniques to help clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without immediately reacting to them. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult experiences, mindfulness teaches you to observe them with curiosity and acceptance. This creates space to respond intentionally instead of automatically. Mindfulness is especially helpful for anxiety and OCD because it strengthens your ability to tolerate uncertainty, reduce reactivity, and stay grounded in the present moment. Throughout therapy, I integrate practical mindfulness skills that support emotional regulation, resilience, and lasting change.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.