Elena Fasan, MSW

Psychotherapist licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. Elena received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). Prior to joining the OCD Center of Los Angeles, Elena worked as a therapist in the Pediatric OCD Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Her work at UCLA focused on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and mindfulness techniques for the treatment of children and adolescents with severe OCD. Elena is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Development at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she teaches a course on adolescent development. She also studied Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of depression at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Philadelphia. Elena has also worked in the Alhambra Unified School District, counseling children and adolescents with behavioral and emotional issues, and at Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, providing therapy to homeless adults with mental illness. Elena’s work at the OCD Center of Los Angeles focuses on CBT for adults, adolescents, and children suffering from all types of OCD (including all “Pure O” variants such as HOCD, POCD, ROCD, and Harm OCD), related anxiety disorders, and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) such as Dermatillomania and Trichotillomania. Prior to entering the field of social work, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development at California State University – Northridge (CSUN). Elena is particularly interested in how the involvement of family members can improve treatment outcomes when working with children, adolescents, and adults with OCD and related anxiety-based conditions. Elena received the 2016 Distinguished Young Alumni Award given by the faculty of the Child and Adolescent Development Department at CSUN. The award in given annually to an alumnus who has graduated within the last decade who is making significant strides in the field of child development. She is a professional member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and the National Association of Social Workers.