Obsessive compulsive disorder - OCD treatment and therapy from NOCD
OCD therapist Kelly Sansone, Licensed Therapist, LCSW, Licensed OCD Therapist

Kelly Sansone

She/Her

Licensed Therapist, LCSW

About

As a therapist, I work to establish rapport with people. That's so important. I try to get a feel for the things people are interested in and maybe some things we have in common. OCD themes tend to be bizarre and scary, and it can be hard to share unless you trust or feel a connection with someone. Outside of work, I love to listen to podcasts and binge-watch TV shows. I keep a running list in my phone of recommendations people give me, and I usually send each person a message when I've gotten around to their recommendations.

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OCD can make you feel like you're not understood. You can feel really alone. That can make it really difficult to cope when you're having an episode. But I have lived experience with OCD, and I know that therapy can work really well and really fast.


Get to know Kelly Sansone

At first, I really wanted to work with children. I started as a school social worker and transitioned into administration along the way. I worked in the school system from 1998 until 2015, when I went into private practice because I wanted to go back to my roots—having a direct impact on people and helping them change their lives.

I have OCD myself. I've struggled with it for a long time—since I was eight. I've been doing really well now for 13 years. I share this with members because OCD can make you feel like you're not understood. You can feel really alone. And that can make it really difficult to cope when you're having an episode. OCD tries to take your joy from you. When I can see people become able to enjoy life without the torment, the obsessions, it makes me really happy.

I've worked with autism extensively. In people who have autism, OCD often goes hand in hand. My other main areas of experience are anxiety disorders, depression, school phobia, and emetophobia.

It's not easy. Understand that you're going to have feelings that don't feel good when you're doing exposure exercises. But it works quickly. If you put in the work, do your homework, and are willing to really engage in what I'm telling you, ERP works really well and really fast. I tell people to practice the exercises we come up with, and do what I've assigned for homework, several times a day, every day.

Know that OCD symptoms are usually strange, and people don't feel comfortable universally talking about them. That's OK. I get it. Based on my experience, there's never going to be an OCD symptom that's not 'weird'—by definition, an obsession causes distress. If these were nice things you were thinking about repeatedly, it wouldn't be a problem. Also know that I won't make you do anything. You can wait until you feel more comfortable to share those thoughts. But I will probably ask if there are any things you're comfortable enough to tell me right now to start.

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Insurance Coverages

  • Aetna
  • Ascension SmartHealth
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield - Minnesota
  • Cigna

States

Florida
Illinois
Louisiana
Minnesota

What our members say about
Kelly Sansone

B.S.

Aug 05, 2024

Kelly is very professional and extremely patient with kids! I'm so thankful to have her on our team!

J.H.

Nov 08, 2023

Kelly is always amazing!

N.P.

Oct 03, 2023

Kelly is amazing!!

S.A.

Sep 06, 2023

Kelly has helped teach strategies to reduce compulsive behaviors. The larger picture is how to attack and defeat the overwhelming anxiety. Able to address in last session

J.T.

Jul 31, 2023

Very nice and willing to negotiate

G.M.

Jun 15, 2023

Incredibly understanding, walked through my current habits of concern with me and we troubleshooted together on what triggers might be as well as the best course of action to begin progressive exposure to triggering stimuli. Incredibly professional conduct. Excellent listener and therapist. Felt very good to be able to talk about these habits and feel not only heard but understood. And for me to be able to demonstrate it without feeling too embarrassed or awkward about it. Thank you.

S.G.

Apr 29, 2023

We are so excited to work with Kelly and the fast, effective therapy for our daughter. Kelly was wonderful and exactly what we are looking for.

B.P.

Apr 12, 2023

Gave my son and husband hope That is sooo important

V.S.

Feb 23, 2023

Patient and creative with my daughter

A.O.

Oct 10, 2022

a majority of the session was discussing how OCD works, which I feel like I already knew. I would've liked to do more concrete work.

B.I.

Sep 24, 2022

Kelly is amazing!

J.H.

Sep 10, 2022

Kelly has been amazing! Finding NOCD and Kelly have been life changing for me!

K.R.

Aug 16, 2022

Even though this was our first session together we got started on some ERP exposures. It was definitely challenging but that makes me optimistic I'm going to improve with our work together.

P.H.

Aug 10, 2022

Kelly is always fully engaged and is very genuine during my son's sessions.

S.A.

May 30, 2022

Kelly clearly is a person who acknowledges the human experience in therapy. Talking to her I felt as if she was truly listening not to diagnose me but to help me understand what expectations I can reach.

anonymous

Jan 13, 2022

I love my therapist Kelly she made me feel comfortable to open up and she gave me great tips to help me in this ocd/intrusive thoughts journey!

anonymous

Jan 03, 2022

I love working with my therapist! I’ve started to believe it is possible for my life to not be ruled by my ocd.

anonymous

Dec 30, 2021

My first appointment with Kelly was very comfortable and good

Badges and training

Specialties

These designations signify the therapist's expertise in treating specific mental health conditions, ensuring you receive the personalized care you deserve.

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child_and_adolescent

Cultural competencies

We've partnered with Violet, a health equity platform, to offer training to all NOCD therapists. These comprehensive training programs foster professional development and champion inclusivity in the healthcare industry. Learn more.

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Languages spoken

  • English

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