Specialized Treatment for Pediatric OCD & Selective Mutism
With Expertise in Anxiety & Medical Anxiety in Women
Focused, evidence-based care for children and women whose anxiety is interfering with daily life, school, health, and relationships.
When anxiety starts running your home — or your mind — you need more than reassurance.
You need structure. You need a plan and skilled support.
When Anxiety Takes Over
For Parents
- Your child talks freely at home but freezes at school.
- OCD rituals or intrusive thoughts are taking over daily life.
- Mornings feel like emotional marathons.
- You’re stuck in the reassurance loop and don’t know what to say anymore.
- Avoidance is growing. Confidence is shrinking.
You’ve tried being calm.
You’ve tried explaining.
You’ve tried comforting.
And you’re exhausted.
For Women
- Your mind scans constantly for what could go wrong.
- Health fears won’t quiet — even after medical reassurance.
- You feel responsible for preventing every possible problem.
- You look capable on the outside.
- Inside, your brain rarely rests.
Anxiety has a way of shrinking life.
With the right structure and support, it expands again.
Pediatric OCD & Selective Mutism
Specialized Care for Children Who Feel Stuck
I specialize in treating:
• Pediatric OCD using CBT, Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), and ACT
• Selective Mutism using PCIT-SM and structured exposure
• School refusal and anxiety-driven school impairment
• Separation and social anxiety
• Anxiety that disrupts family life
This is not general anxiety counseling.
This is structured, research-supported treatment designed to help children face fears — and help parents feel steady and confident again.
What Makes This Different
✔ Parents are actively involved so progress continues at home
✔ Clear, measurable goals so you can see change happening
✔ Structured exposure plans tailored to real-life situations
✔ Collaboration with schools when appropriate, including written guidance and coordinated planning
✔ Over 20 years of focused anxiety specialization
You won’t be left guessing what to do next.
Learn More About Pediatric OCD & SM Treatment
2-Day Parent Intensives
Focused, Structured Intervention for Pediatric OCD & Selective Mutism
When anxiety is deeply entrenched, weekly therapy can feel too slow.
These 2-day structured intensives are designed for families who need focused, accelerated support.
You leave with:
• A clear exposure roadmap
• A step-by-step parent response plan
• Scripts for reducing reassurance and accommodation
• A structured plan for school collaboration
• Increased confidence in handling anxiety at home
This is not a lecture.
This is hands-on, skill-based training with real-time coaching.
Pediatric OCD Parent Intensive (2 Days)
Designed for parents of children experiencing:
• Intrusive thoughts
• Compulsive rituals
• Reassurance cycles
• Avoidance that is shrinking daily life
We focus on:
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) training
• Breaking accommodation patterns
• Building parent confidence
• Creating a clear implementation plan
Selective Mutism Parent Intensive (2 Days)
Designed for parents of children who:
• Speak freely at home but not at school
• Freeze in social settings
• Avoid verbal participation
• Experience severe social anxiety
We focus on:
• Gradual exposure planning
• PCIT-SM informed strategies
• School collaboration planning
• Coaching parents to support brave speaking
These intensives are self-pay and designed to create meaningful progress in a short period of time.
Learn More About Parent Intensives
OCD & Health Anxiety in Women
Structured, Practical Support
I provide specialized treatment for:
• Health OCD and medical anxiety
• Intrusive thoughts and mental checking
• Reassurance-seeking cycles
• Perfectionism and over-responsibility
• Chronic worry and rumination
• Anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum
Many women with medical anxiety continue seeking reassurance despite normal evaluations. My approach helps reduce compulsive reassurance patterns while maintaining appropriate medical care — improving functioning without dismissing real health concerns.
Together we focus on:
• Building tolerance for uncertainty
• Stepping out of reassurance patterns
• Taking meaningful action even when anxiety is present
• Growing confidence through consistent, supported exposure
You don’t eliminate anxiety to move forward.
You stop organizing your life around it.
Learn More About Therapy for Women
Structured Skill-Based Programs
For families and women who need focused, high-impact intervention beyond weekly therapy.
These structured programs are designed to accelerate progress and reduce impairment in a concentrated format.
ANCHOR Parent Program
A structured parent training experience designed to help you:
• Reduce accommodation
• Step out of reassurance loops
• Support exposure confidently
• Respond to anxiety with steadiness instead of urgency
This is not about changing your child.
It’s about strengthening you — so your child can grow.
Action & Anxiety Reset for Women
Designed for women stuck in:
• Overthinking
• Avoidance and lack of motivation
• Perfectionistic paralysis
This program focuses on action.
You learn how to move before you feel fully calm — and build confidence by doing.
For Medical & School Professionals
I serve as a specialized referral resource for:
• Pediatric OCD and selective mutism
• School anxiety and anxiety-driven impairment
• Health anxiety and medical OCD in women
• Repetitive reassurance-seeking impacting functioning
I offer:
• Evidence-based, structured treatment
• Coordinated care when helpful
• Parent guidance to reduce accommodation
• Written summaries upon request
• Consultation availability for complex cases
This is individualized, relationship-based care with local collaboration — not a one-size-fits-all digital program.
Refer a Patient or Request Consultation
Weekly Anxiety Support
Not ready to schedule yet? You don’t have to figure this out alone while you decide.
Each week I share practical, steady guidance for:
For Parents:
• What to say when your child is stuck
• How to step out of reassurance loops
• Supporting exposure without panic
For Women:
• Managing health anxiety
• Breaking rumination cycles
• Taking action before you feel fully calm
Short. Practical. Research-informed. Grounded and clear.
Parent Newsletter
Women's Newsletter
About Deborah Mertlich, LCSW
For over 20 years, I’ve specialized in treating anxiety disorders in children and women — with particular expertise in pediatric OCD and selective mutism.
I’ve also raised anxious kids myself. I understand the pressure, the second-guessing, the quiet fear that you might be making it worse.
My work blends warmth with structure. Compassion with clear steps.
I designed my parent and women’s programs to extend that structured support beyond traditional therapy.
There is a steady path forward.
Therapy available to residents of Oregon and Washington.
Educational programs available nationwide.