Shala Nicely, LPC OCD Treatment with ERP Therapy
Shala Nicely, LPC OCD Treatment with ERP Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people have questions as they think about starting therapy. This page covers FAQs about OCD therapy, including practical details about sessions, fees, insurance, my background, and how to find other ERP therapists for OCD if I’m not taking new clients.
Session and General FAQs
I’m not taking new clients right now. If you sign up for my newsletter, I’ll let you know when I’ll be taking new clients.
I only take a handful of new clients every year.
I see adult clients age 18 and up.
If I’m not taking new clients but know that I will have space opening up in the future, I will open my waiting list.
If you’d like to be on the waiting list, I’ll do an initial 50-minute session with you (that’s the same fee as a regular 50-minute session; see the next section of FAQs below) to evaluate your symptoms. I’ll send you assessments beforehand, and it will take you about 30 minutes to fill them out, and then I’ll review them in detail before our session.
If we both think we’re a good fit after the initial appointment, I’ll add you to my waiting list and give you an estimate of how long the wait will be.
I’m currently seeing clients virtually using an online, HIPAA-compliant platform.
Yes. After providing online ERP therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders for five years, I’ve found that online therapy works as well as in-person therapy for these disorders—and sometimes even better—for the following reasons:
Therapy happens where your OCD and/or anxiety disorder is triggered: Online therapy enables us to do appointments in the settings that trigger your OCD and/or anxiety disorder so we can work on real-time exposure therapy together.
No travel time: It’s much easier for my clients to find about an hour to set aside each week for online therapy versus having to carve out two or three hours for therapy and travel time in metro Atlanta traffic.
Flexible scheduling: With online therapy, I’m able to see people during their lunch breaks or at other times when they’re able to step away from the office or work from home. Being able to do therapy remotely gives us both more flexibility in scheduling.
Normally clients see me weekly, as that frequency typically provides the right amount of support, guidance, and accountability for working on ERP for OCD.
No, I am only licensed (LPC008785) to see clients who live in Georgia or who can come to Georgia for therapy. I do not see clients who live outside of the United States.
Yes, even if I’m not taking new clients, I reserve time in my schedule to see former clients for booster sessions.
Please see my blog post “How to Find an OCD Therapist” for detailed recommendations.
You can go to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or call 911 in the U.S. or go to an emergency room.
Fees and Insurance FAQs
My fee of $297 per 50-minute session reflects not just our weekly session, but the ongoing support that makes ERP therapy for OCD more effective.
In addition to our time together, I provide daily weekday feedback on ERP practice so you’re not left guessing if you’re applying the skills effectively or unknowingly reinforcing OCD between sessions.
This level of support helps catch subtle obstacles early, reduces setbacks, and helps you build recovery skills more efficiently and sustainably.
No, I’m not in-network with any insurance companies, and I’m not a Medicare or Medicaid provider.
Yes, if you have out-of-network mental health benefits, I’m happy to provide you with a receipt called a superbill that you can send to your insurance company for reimbursement based on your plan.
The CPT codes I use on superbills are:
- For a 50 min session: 90834 and the fee is $297.
- For a 25 min session: 90832 and the fee is $148.50.
- For a 50 min session with a family member present: 90846 and the fee is $297.
- For the infrequent occurrence when a session runs several mins over and is ~55 mins: 90837 and the fee is $297.
Teletherapy appointments also include the 95 modifer at the end of the code, such as 90834-95.
If you and I determine that you could benefit from an extended session (such as a double session to work extensively on exposures), then we would discuss and agree on this in advance, and the add-on code would be +90836 for 45 additional minutes or +90838 for 60 additional minutes. My fees for the additional time are pro-rated based on the length of the appointment, i.e. an additional ~50 mins would be an additional $297. Please note I do extended sessions very infrequently.
No. Fees are due and paid at time of service. For more about the No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates, please see this link.
The International OCD Foundation has created a great resource to help you find low-cost treatment.
Yes, I take credit and debit cards from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. I am also able to take Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) credit and debit cards if they are Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover.
FAQs about OCD therapy with Shala
2026 is my 14th year treating OCD and anxiety disorders.
Yes, I treat anxiety disorders, including phobias, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety using exposure therapy. I also treat trauma or PTSD using prolonged exposure and/or cognitive processing therapy when the client also has OCD.
Many people I see have depression along with their OCD or anxiety disorder(s), and that often remits as we work on ERP. If it doesn’t, we can address the depression directly using evidence-based approaches. I however don’t treat people who only have depression.
I use the evidence-based, first-line therapy for OCD, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP). I also use self-compassion and mindfulness in my work with clients with OCD.
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC008785) in the state of Georgia, and I provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focusing mainly on exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety disorders.
I’ve been treating OCD using ERP for 13+ years.
I’m also the author of Is Fred in the Refrigerator? Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life and coauthor with Jon Hershfield, MFT of Everyday Mindfulness for OCD: Tips, Tricks & Skills for Living Joyfully.
I produce the Shoulders Back! Tips & Resources for Taming OCD newsletter and blog for Psychology Today, offering an inside perspective on life with OCD.
I’m a frequent speaker at national conferences and podcasts and have contributed to coverage about OCD and anxiety in The Washington Post, VICE, and other outlets.
