Kathy Johansen, MSW, LCSW, is a licensed therapist supporting clients in Arizona and Utah through in-person sessions in Arizona and telehealth services in both states. She holds undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Family Studies from Weber State University in Utah and a Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in Texas. Specializing in OCD and anxiety, Kathy is also experienced in treating anxiety, pornography/sex addiction, substance abuse, depression, and relationship challenges. Her therapeutic approach incorporates evidence-based methods such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Kathy takes pride in guiding clients with OCD to challenge intrusive thoughts and unhelpful patterns, fostering resilience, insight, and empowerment. She specializes in working with all OCD subtypes, including contamination, magical thinking, intrusive thoughts (such as distressing sexual themes), existential OCD, scrupulosity, just-right OCD, and emotional contamination. Kathy also has extensive experience addressing co-occurring disorders, such as social anxiety, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use issues. She is committed to providing a compassionate, collaborative space where clients can reclaim control, reframe thought patterns, and live according to their values.
Kathy believes that embracing our stories can pave the way for growth and healing. To her, every scar is a testament to survival and resilience, and acknowledging our experiences empowers transformation. Passionate about self-discovery, self-acceptance, and meaningful connections, she views healing as an opportunity to embrace authenticity and remain open to new possibilities. Kathy is dedicated to helping clients find balance and purpose while navigating life’s challenges.
Outside of her professional work, Kathy enjoys soaking up the sun and exploring the outdoors. Having recently moved to Arizona from Utah, she is discovering life outside her home state for the first time. Kathy approaches each day as an adventure, guided by the belief that a positive perspective can shape our experiences.
At CalmOCD we treat individuals ages 5 and up with obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, eating disorders, panic disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, misophonia, body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), and co-occurring depression.