THE CHOICETHERAPY TEAM
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 Repetitive 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 CaliforniaNational Certified Counselor, 2010
Specialized Trainings
ACT Consultation, 2014-current
TLC Consultation and Psychological Services with Dr. Robyn WalserACT Book Club: Mastering the Clinical Conversation, 2021
Bay Area ACBS PeersLearning to Speak RFT: The Art and Practice of Relational Framing for Clinicians, 2021
ACBS SoCal presented by Phillip Cha, LMFTMagic ACT: Transforming Pain into Purpose with Clinical RFT, 2020
Praxis presented by Lou Lasprugato, LMFT and Philip Cha, LMFTMindful Self-Compassion Teacher Training, 2020
Center for Mindful Self-Compassion presented by Dr. Chris GermerAdvanced Clinical Training for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, 2017
TLC Foundation presented by Dr. Charles S. MansuetoMindfulness & 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 SkintaThe Mindful Bus: ACT in a Dynamic Game Format, 2016
Bay Area ACBS presented by Dr. Ellis EdmundsExposure and Response Prevention Course & Consultation, 2015
The Behavioral Therapy Training InstituteOCD Advanced Supervision, 2013-2014
Dr. Elna Yadin, University of PennsylvaniaExposure 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 PsychotherapySupportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), 2023
Eli LebowitzACT for Perfectionism, 2022
Jennifer KempACT for Anxiety Disorders, 2022
Michael TwohigAdvanced ACT/DNA-V, 2020 & 2021
New England Center for OCD and AnxietyTreating Patients Diagnosed With OCD And Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2020
IOCDFComB Treatment of Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, 2020
IOCDFIntegrating ERP and ACT for Youth with Anxiety and OCD, 2019
New England Center for OCD and AnxietyCBT for Anxiety, 2019
Beck InstituteTreating Trauma with ACT, 2019
ACBSExposure and Response Prevention Training, 2019
CBT Center of Silicon ValleyAcceptance and Commitment Therapy Training, 2019
ACBS bootcampAcceptance 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 Errett, M.S. (She, Her)
Melanie Errett (formerly Melanie Loya) explains how she loves to support teens and adults with OCD and Anxiety.
Melanie Errett 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. Errett 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. Errett 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 InstituteContemporary Practices in the Treatment of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors , 2023
The Center for Emotional Health of Greater PhiladelphiaACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Bootcamp, 2022
PraxisExposure and Response Prevention Training, 2019
CBT Center of Silicon ValleyCBT for Anxiety, 2019
Beck InstituteSelective Mutism Training, 2019
Freedom Camp, Presented by Dr. Catherine EckelTrauma-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 DiChiaraACT for perfectionism: Shaping Psychological Flexibility in Our Clients and in Ourselves, 2020
ACBS SoCal presented by Jennifer KempAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) II Training, 2018
Praxis presented by Steven HayesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy Boot Camp, 2017
Praxis presented by Steven Hayes, Emily Sandoz, and Matthew BooneTraining in Prolonged Exposure Therapy, 2012
Center for Deployment Psychology