About Me
I am a bilingual therapist (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) offering therapy services to adolescents and adults. I completed my Master of Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill. Upon completing my program, I spent 5 years working in outpatient mental health at a Federally Qualified Health Center, Mary’s Center, servicing clients across the DC metro area experiencing anxiety, OCD, depression, perinatal and postpartum challenges, and trauma. In 2022, I opened Erica Lindenberg LCSW with a focus on the treatment of anxiety disorders and OCD.
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I am passionate about providing evidence-based care with a specific focus on individuals with OCD and anxiety disorders. According to the International OCD Foundation, OCD is often misdiagnosed and can take up to 14-17 years to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Through out my career, I realized there was a shortage of providers knowledgeable about both OCD and specific anxiety disorders such as Emetophobia, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia. I strive to fill that gap by offering evidence-based treatment in English and Spanish.
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Specializing in OCD, Anxiety Disorders, and related conditions
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that is characterized by individuals getting stuck in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions present as unwanted repetitive fears, intrusive thoughts or images that cause significant distress. In order to reduce distress, individuals engage
in compulsions. For an OCD diagnosis, the obsessions and compulsions must cause significant distress and take up a certain amount of time each day.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
​Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by excessive and persistent worry, fear, and nervousness. Contrary to OCD, GAD worries are often regarding current life stressors. Additionally, individuals often struggle to manage their worry and it can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life.
Panic
Disorder
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by sudden and repeated episodes of intense fear and physical symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations shortness of breath, and dizziness. These attacks can occur unexpectedly or in response to a trigger, and can be very distressing and disruptive to daily life. Over time, the individual often begins to anticipate and fear having panic attacks and may begin to avoid important life activities such as work meetings, social events, or appointments. Panic disorder can develop into Agoraphobia where an individual begins to avoid situations where they are unable to escape distressing sensations.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder experience intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or negatively evaluated in social situations. They may experience panic attacks in these situations. Often, individuals will begin to avoid social settings which can lead to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.
Emetophobia
Emetophobia is the intense fear of throwing up. Nobody likes to throw up but individuals with emetophobia will often begin to develop significant avoidance behaviors to prevent this feared outcome which may included restricted food intake, compulsive checking behaviors, avoiding social gatherings, avoiding public transportation, and more. Emetophobia is diagnosed when the fear of throwing up begins to significantly impair quality of life and/or functioning.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
According to Postpartum Support International, approximately 15-20 percent of women experience anxiety and depression during or after childbirth. During this vulnerable life transition, individuals may experience depression, anxiety, or OCD symptoms.
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