Yisrael Zev Schwartz, LCPC
OCD and anxiety specialist in Baltimore, Maryland, offering in-person and statewide telehealth sessions. Structured, evidence-based treatment focused on real, lasting change.
Structured, direct, and focused on what can change
Sessions are collaborative, and I take a fairly directive approach. I keep things genuine and straightforward, not clinical or distant. That said, not every session needs to be hands-on work. Sometimes what's most helpful is space to talk and feel supported, and I'm just as comfortable there.
Genuine, down to earth, with a sense of humor
Sessions stay focused and practical, but I don't take myself too seriously. Being real with clients, and having a laugh where it fits, tends to make the harder conversations easier to have.
Practice, not just talk
Especially with ERP, you'll usually leave with something specific to work on before the next session. I get creative with how exposures are designed so they fit your life, rather than pulling from a generic list.
Acceptance over management
I focus on helping you build real acceptance of uncertainty and give intrusive thoughts less attention and meaning. That's a different goal than collecting more coping skills, and it tends to move faster.
Empowerment, not dependency
I want you to be able to function fully on your own, not need ongoing sessions to stay okay. Real progress means you leave with tools you use, not a reliance on therapy itself.
OCD and anxiety are among the most treatable conditions in mental health, and overcoming them can change what someone's day-to-day life looks like. That's a big part of why I focus specifically on these conditions rather than practicing more broadly.
I think I understand how the anxious mind works because I'm a thinker myself, and people who think that way tend to be the ones most prone to overthinking, overanalyzing, and getting stuck in rumination. That same tendency toward analysis is useful on my end too. OCD is repetitive and rigid by nature, so I lean on creativity to design exposures and reframe intrusive thoughts in ways that land, rather than running the same script for everyone.
Many of the people I work with are high-functioning and motivated, the kind of person you might never guess is struggling with anything. Often that's exactly the profile: someone who's kept it together on the outside while working hard to manage what's happening internally.
What matters most to me is that the time and money you put into this pays off. I want to be genuinely useful to you, not just present.
Training and licensure
- M.S., Mental Health Counseling — Walden University, 2020
- M.S., Education — Johns Hopkins University, 2017
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Maryland — License #LC12686. Verify license
- A full year of clinical supervision specific to CBT, ERP, OCD, and anxiety, along with additional multi-day intensive trainings in these approaches
Coordinated care, with your client's consent
When a client comes to me through a psychiatrist or primary care referral, I stay in communication whenever appropriate and with the client's consent, and I respond quickly. If you have a case that needs a focused OCD or anxiety specialist, I'm glad to work with you on it.
"I recently consulted with Yisrael regarding a complex OCD case and found him to be incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and generous with his expertise. What stood out most was his ability to be both deeply clinically insightful and genuinely supportive."
Jennifer G., LCSW
What the first sessions look like
The first session or two are about gathering information and helping you understand how OCD or anxiety works for you specifically, so the plan we build makes sense from the start.
Getting started is simple and straightforward. Schedule a time, then fill out a short intake form, about five minutes.
What clients say about working with Yisrael
Common questions about working with Yisrael
What do you specialize in treating?
CBT, ERP, and treatment for OCD and anxiety specifically, including subtypes like harm OCD, scrupulosity, contamination OCD, and relationship OCD. I don't treat psychotic disorders.
I've been in therapy before and didn't see progress. Will this be different?
Often, yes. Many clients come to me after years of general talk therapy that didn't target OCD or anxiety specifically. The wrong approach, or even well-intentioned coping skills, can leave the underlying pattern in place, or even reinforce it. ERP and the other methods I use are built specifically for how OCD and anxiety work, and it's common to see real progress faster than people expect once treatment targets the right thing.
Will I have things to do between sessions?
Usually, yes, especially with ERP. I won't call it homework, but consistent practice outside of session is a real part of how progress happens, not an optional add-on.
Do you communicate with my psychiatrist or primary care doctor?
Yes, whenever it's appropriate and with your consent. If you're already working with a prescriber or another provider, I'm glad to stay in coordinated communication with them.
Do you offer virtual sessions, or only in-person?
Both. I see clients in person at our Mount Washington, Baltimore office, and via secure teletherapy anywhere in Maryland.
Do you accept insurance?
We're private-pay and out-of-network. Full details on fees and how out-of-network benefits work are on our Fees and Insurance page. For clients who need strictly in-network coverage, we have limited slots available with our staff clinicians.
How long does treatment typically take?
It depends on what you're working on, but many clients see meaningful change within a few months of consistent, ERP-based treatment. The way you've felt stuck doesn't have to stay that way, and progress is often faster than people expect.
Get started with OCD and anxiety therapy
Schedule a free consultation to talk through what you're experiencing and whether working together is the right fit.
(443) 296-2584 · info@behavioralhealthdirect.com · 1501 Sulgrave Ave., Suite 206, Baltimore, MD 21209