choicetherapy psychological services

Our team consists of therapists trained in:

  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Panic

  • Social Anxiety

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Mindfulness

  • Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)

  • Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)

  • Body Focused Repetitve Behaviors (BFRB)

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Dr. Marisa T. Mazza is the founder of choicetherapy. We are passionate about helping folks with OCD and other Anxiety related disorders.

Marisa T. Mazza, Psy.D (She, Her)

Dr. Marisa T. Mazza is a clinical psychologist (PSY23800) and founder of choicetherapy psychological services, inc. She successfully created and operates an individual therapy practice in San Francisco. Dr. Mazza is passionate about providing evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindful Self-Compassion, to teens and adults struggling with OCD or Anxiety. She enjoys supporting individuals in learning new ways of interacting with thoughts and feelings. Her approach allows individuals to face their fears in a gradual and gentle way so they can get unstuck from thoughts and feelings and live meaningful lives.

Dr. Mazza is certified in exposure and response prevention for OCD through the Center for Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania and the Behavioral Therapy Institute. She has also received training in CBT, ACT, and CFT. Dr. Mazza faculty at the International OCD Foundation’s Behavioral Therapy Training Institute and at the University of San Francisco. She provides supervision and consultation to other professionals who want to learn more about the treatment of OCD.

Dr. Mazza was formerly a board member of OCD SF Bay Area, the International OCD Foundation’s local affiliate, and was the Vice President of the San Francisco Bay Area Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, our local ACT chapter. She enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling and going on adventures with her family.

LICENSE / certifications

  • Licensed Psychologist (PSY 23800), 2010
    State of California

  • National Certified Counselor, 2010

Specialized Trainings

  • ACT Consultation, 2014-current
    TLC Consultation and Psychological Services with Dr. Robyn Walser

  • ACT Book Club: Mastering the Clinical Conversation, 2021
    Bay Area ACBS Peers

  • Learning to Speak RFT: The Art and Practice of Relational Framing for Clinicians, 2021
    ACBS SoCal presented by Phillip Cha, LMFT

  • Magic ACT: Transforming Pain into Purpose with Clinical RFT, 2020
    Praxis presented by Lou Lasprugato, LMFT and Philip Cha, LMFT

  • Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher Training, 2020
    Center for Mindful Self-Compassion presented by Dr. Chris Germer

  • Advanced Clinical Training for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, 2017
    TLC Foundation presented by Dr. Charles S. Mansueto

  • Mindfulness & Acceptance for Gender & Sexual Minorities A Clinician's Guide to Fostering Compassion, Connection. And Equality Using Contextual Strategies, 2016
    Bay Area ACBS presented by Dr. Matthew Skinta

  • The Mindful Bus: ACT in a Dynamic Game Format, 2016
    Bay Area ACBS presented by Dr. Ellis Edmunds

  • Exposure and Response Prevention Course & Consultation, 2015
    The Behavioral Therapy Training Institute

  • OCD Advanced Supervision, 2013-2014
    Dr. Elna Yadin, University of Pennsylvania

  • Exposure and Response Prevention Course, 2013
    The Center for Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) – Clinical Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University; San Francisco, CA; 2005-2009

Master of Science (M.S.) – Counseling Psychology
Pace University; Pleasantville, NY; 2003-2004

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – Psychology
Pace University; Pleasantville, NY; 1999-2003

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

choicetherapy, San Francisco, CA- Founder

University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA- Adjunct Faculty

Frugé Psychological Associates, Inc., Oakland, CA- Director of Training

California State University, East Bay, CA- Adjunct Faculty

San Mateo Medical Center, San Mateo, CA- Internship and Post-Doctoral Resident

Walden House, Inc., San Francisco, CA- Trainee

Karla Rich, M.S. (She, Her)

Karla Rich describes her passion for working with teens and adults impacted by Anxiety, OCD and OCD-related disorders.

Karla Rich is a Licensed Therapist in CA (LMFT 119396; LPCC 9949) and OR (LMFT T-2092) at choicetherapy. Ms. Rich specializes in working with teens and adults impacted by anxiety, OCD, and OCD-related disorders, including ARFID (Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), tics, and body focused repetitive behaviors (like trichotillomania and skin picking). She is trained in evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). 

Ms. Rich worked in Special Education for 10 years before starting her new career in counseling, bringing with her experience and understanding of the developmental stages of life, differences in ability and neurology, working with children, parents, and families. She works with her clients to recognize the wonderful person they already are, while at the same time making changes in order to be the person they want to be through shifting relationships with difficult thoughts and feelings. 

Ms. Rich celebrates the diverse ways that people live their lives including gender-identity, sexuality, and neurodiversity, and believes there are many ways to live a life worth living. She is a self-identified nerd and thinks the best days are rainy days spent inside with a good book or graphic novel. She also loves swimming and spending time outside among the trees.

License/Certifications

  • California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 2020

  • Oregon Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist  2022

  • California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, 2021

Specialized Trainings

  • ACT Informed Exposures, 2023
    Portland Psychotherapy

  • Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), 2023
    Eli Lebowitz

  • ACT for Perfectionism, 2022
    Jennifer Kemp

  • ACT for Anxiety Disorders, 2022
    Michael Twohig

  • Advanced ACT/DNA-V, 2020 & 2021
    New England Center for OCD and Anxiety

  • Treating Patients Diagnosed With OCD And Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2020
    IOCDF

  • ComB Treatment of Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, 2020
    IOCDF

  • Integrating ERP and ACT for Youth with Anxiety and OCD, 2019
    New England Center for OCD and Anxiety

  • CBT for Anxiety, 2019
    Beck Institute

  • Treating Trauma with ACT, 2019
    ACBS

  • Exposure and Response Prevention Training, 2019
    CBT Center of Silicon Valley

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training, 2019
    ACBS bootcamp

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training, 2019
    Psychwire, Russ Harris

Education

Master’s of Science (M.S.)– Counseling
California State University, East Bay; Hayward, CA; 2016-2018

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)–  Psychology
Stanford University; Stanford, CA; 2005-2008

Professional Affiliations

Work Experience

choicetherapy, San Francisco, CA- Therapist

CBT Center of Silicon Valley, Los Gatos, CA - CBT Staff Therapist

Starlight Community Services, San Jose, CA - Mental Health Specialist

Melanie Loya, M.S. (She, Her)

Melanie Loya explains how she loves to support teens and adults with OCD and Anxiety.

Melanie Loya is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 132545) at choicetherapy. She is specializes in supporting teens and adults with OCD and anxiety and practices via Telehealth and in person in the San Francisco, East Bay. Ms. Loya is trained in evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  

Melanie has provided psychotherapy and counseling services to a range of communities through a variety of settings. She is dedicated to supporting her clients learn new ways to respond to life’s inevitable twists and turns, while fostering clarity and courage to make meaningful change. Ms. Loya values the relationships she builds with her clients and brings empathy, authenticity and a touch of humor to her work.

 Beyond her clinical practice, Melanie has a love for animals, enjoys relaxing at the beach, hiking, reading, and discovering new restaurants.

License/Certifications

  • California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 2022

Specialized Trainings

  • Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, 2024
    Cognitive Behavior Institute 

  • Contemporary Practices in the Treatment of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors , 2023
    The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia 

  • ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Bootcamp, 2022
    Praxis

  • Exposure and Response Prevention Training, 2019
    CBT Center of Silicon Valley

  • CBT for Anxiety, 2019
    Beck Institute

  • Selective Mutism Training, 2019
    Freedom Camp, Presented by Dr. Catherine Eckel

  • Trauma-Focused CBT Training, 2019
    Santa Clara County, Presented by Dr. Anthony Mannarino

Education

Master’s of Science (M.S.)– Clinical Psychology
San José State University; San José, CA; 2017-2019

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)–  Psychology
San José State University University; San José, CA; 2013-2015

Professional Affiliations

Work Experience

choicetherapy, San Francisco, CA- Therapist

University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA - Adjunct Faculty

CBT Center of Silicon Valley, Los Gatos, CA - Therapist

Sunnyvale Behavioral Health-Family and Children's Services, Sunnyvale, CA - Clinical Trainee

Freedom Camp- Intensive Treatment for Selective Mutism, Campbell, CA- Camp Counselor

StarVista- Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center, San Mateo, CA- Crisis Counselor

Suicide and Crisis Services of Santa Clara County, San José, CA- Crisis Counselor

J. Paul Zawacki, LCSW (He, Him)

Jeffrey Paul Zawacki is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW74251) with over 15 years of experience working in community and university mental health. Paul treats adults with OCD, social anxiety, and other related disorders with ACT, ERP, and CBT. He brings kindness, curiosity, and authenticity to his practice, as well as a genuine appreciation for the individual quirks of each human he works with. As a person with ADHD and lifelong anxiety, he is well acquainted with how anxiety can center itself and take away time, energy, and hope. He is committed to helping clients learn new ways to live with anxiety, connect with what really matters, and grow the courage and capacity to pursue their dreams. 

Paul has specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD from the Cognitive Behavioral Institute in Philadelphia, PA. He has trained extensively in ACT and served three years as a board member for the Southern California chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, the primary professional community for ACT-nerds.

Before becoming a therapist, Paul was a professional musician and songwriter. He always welcomes work with creatives and ADHD-ers. In his free time, he enjoys making art with his kindergartener, swimming, writing, and drawing.

Education

Master’s in Social Work (M.S.W.)– Concentration in Mental Health
University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA; 2010-2013

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)–  English Language and Literature  University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI; 2003-2005

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)–  Philosophy of Religion University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI; 2001-2003

Professional Affiliations

Work Experience

choicetherapy, San Francisco, CA- Therapist

University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA - Therapist

University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA - Faculty Therapist

County of Los Angeles, Department of Mental Health Torrance, CA - Psychiatric Social Worker

County of Los Angeles, Department of Mental Health Torrance, CA - MSW Therapy Intern

Telecare Corporation, Long Beach, CA- Crisis Intervention Specialist

Crittenton Services for Children and Families, Long Beach, CA- MSW Therapy Intern

Skid Row Housing Trust, Los Angeles, CA- Resident Services Coordinator

License/Certifications

  • California Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 2016

Specialized Trainings

  • ERP for OCD Consutlation and Certification Group, 2023
    Cognitive Behavior Institute presented by Christina DiChiara

  • ACT for perfectionism: Shaping Psychological Flexibility in Our Clients and in Ourselves, 2020
    ACBS SoCal presented by Jennifer Kemp

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) II Training, 2018
    Praxis presented by Steven Hayes

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Boot Camp, 2017
    Praxis presented by Steven Hayes, Emily Sandoz, and Matthew Boone

  • Training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy, 2012
    Center for Deployment Psychology

Let’s Get Started!

Contact us to schedule your complimentary 20-minute informational call.