“I was nervous about the first visit. Marisela listened, explained what we would do, and never hurried me.”
Addison L.
A clearer way through OCD and anxiety
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) for adults and teens with OCD, and cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety. In Portland and by video in Oregon.
Teens
And adults, one to oneVideo
Or in person at the officeERP
Exposure and response prevention50 min
A typical session
Client notes
What the room feels like
“The office is quiet and the chair is comfortable. I stopped dreading the walk from the bus after the second visit.”
Hari B.“She tells me what we are going to do before we do it, and I can say no to any step. That made showing up easier.”
Yasmine T.“My video sessions feel like sitting in the same room. The pace is mine, and I always know what we are working on.”
Duncan P.“Nobody made me feel strange for what I told them. I was welcome from the first phone call.”
Lihua W.
Sample reviews.
Does this sound like you?
You do not need a diagnosis to get in touch. If any of this sounds familiar, a short conversation can show whether this is the right kind of help.
Unwanted thoughts keep coming back, and you do things to make them stop
Checking, washing, counting or asking for reassurance takes hours of your week
You avoid places, people or tasks because of what might happen
Worry or panic keeps you from sleeping or from leaving the house
Your teen is caught in rituals and you are not sure how to help
You have tried talk therapy before and the same loop kept going
How ERP works
ERP, one step at a time
ERP is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. The American Psychiatric Association's 2007 practice guideline for OCD lists it among first-line treatments. Your clinician sets the pace.
Map the cycle
We start by writing down what sets off an obsession, what you do to feel safe again, and what that costs you in a week. You face nothing yet.
Build a ladder
Together we list situations from easier to harder, and you choose the first rung. You can say no to any step.
Try one rung
In session you face one rung with me beside you, and let the urge pass without acting on it. We stop when you ask.
Hold off the ritual
Response prevention is the other half: choosing not to check, wash, count or ask for reassurance, first for a few minutes and then for longer.
Practice between visits
A short practice at home keeps the work moving. Results vary, and we adjust the plan together when a step is not useful.
About
A counselor who explains every step
I'm Marisela Tellez, a licensed professional counselor in Portland. I work with adults and teens who are caught in OCD and anxiety, mostly with exposure and response prevention and cognitive behavioral therapy.
I explain the method before we use it, and nothing happens in a session that we have not talked through first. The pace is yours to set.
I named the practice Aperture because therapy can widen the view: more light, a clearer look at what is going on, and room to move.
ERP for OCD
CBT for anxiety, panic and phobias
Parent sessions for teens
ACT skills alongside exposure
Marisela Tellez
Licensed professional counselor
How I work
Three things you can count on
Facing a fear on purpose is hard. This is how the work stays steady.
A method with a name
I tell you what ERP or CBT is, where it comes from and why each step is there. You can ask me anything about how I work.
Your pace
You pick the rung. We never move to a harder step until you agree to it, and you can pause at any time.
Plain check-ins
Every few sessions we look at how the work is going and change the plan together if it is not useful.
Getting started
Your first steps
Getting started is meant to be simple and low pressure.
01Reach out
Send a short note or call. Please leave out medical details. I reply during office hours.
02Find a time
We choose a first session, in person or by video, that fits your week. Intake forms are on the practice's own secure portal.
03First session
We talk about what is going on and what you want to change. It is not a test, and you do not have to tell me everything at once.
04Go at your pace
We agree how often to meet and how to tell whether the work is useful. Your clinician sets the pace with you.
The practice
How the practice runs
Clear about the method
ERP and CBT, explained in plain words before we start.
Your pace
You choose the next step. Nothing is sprung on you.
Warm and direct
Clinical does not have to mean cold. Sessions are conversations, not drills.
Private records
I keep your records private and share them only as the law allows.
Our Space
Where clarity takes shape
Sample photos.
“Marisela says what she is going to do before she does it. That is the reason I kept coming back.”
Vera S.
Sample reviews.
FAQ
Common questions
A few things people ask before they get in touch.
How do I know if this is the right kind of help?
If unwanted thoughts and the things you do to quiet them take up your time, or worry keeps you from things you want to do, it is worth a conversation. You do not need a diagnosis, and you do not need to be in crisis.
What happens in the first session?
We talk about what is going on, what you have tried and what you want to change. It is not a test. I explain how ERP or CBT would work for you, and you decide whether to go on.
How often will we meet, and for how long?
A session is 50 minutes. Your clinician sets the pace with you, and we agree how often to meet. I cannot say in advance how many sessions you will need.
Do you take my insurance?
Aperture is out of network, and I do not bill Medicare or Medicaid. Many PPO plans reimburse part of out-of-network care, and your plan decides what it pays. The how fees work page has the details.
Can you see my teen?
Yes, I see teens with OCD and anxiety. On the first call I explain how Oregon's consent rules work for your teen's age, and what parents are told.
What should I do in a crisis?
Call or text 988, any time, or call 911 in an emergency. This site and my voicemail are not monitored around the clock.
Send a short note
Send a short note and I will reply in office hours to set up a first session.
Phone(503) 555-0109
Hours
- Monday – FridayToday
- 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- SaturdayToday
- 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- SundayToday
- Closed