Megan Piesman

Evidence-Based Therapy for
OCD, Anxiety, & Couples

Helping thoughtful individuals and partners move out of cycles of overthinking, self-criticism, and disconnection — and into steadier, more fulfilling lives and relationships.

MEGAN PIESMAN, PHD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist — New York & New Jersey

about MEGAN

I specialize in helping individuals struggling with OCD and perfectionism, as well as couples who feel stuck in repetitive patterns of conflict, distance, or disconnection. Whether you're caught in intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors or having the same argument over and over with your partner, therapy focuses on understanding the patterns keeping you stuck—and helping you respond to them differently.

My work integrates Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Treatment is active, collaborative, and grounded in research. Rather than offering generic coping strategies, we'll develop a clear understanding of what's maintaining the problem and build practical, lasting change.

For individuals with OCD, that means learning to face uncertainty without relying on compulsions or avoidance. For couples, it means slowing down conflict, making sense of the emotions underneath it, and creating new ways of reaching for one another that foster greater safety, connection, and trust.

Whether treating OCD or working with a couple, the goal is the same: to identify the pattern that's keeping you stuck, understand what's maintaining it, and help you respond in a way that creates lasting change.

MY BIO

my APPROACH

ERP is a top treatment for OCD and involves gradually confronting what scares you while resisting the urge to give in to compulsions. I know that might sound intense, but I’ll be with you and your partner through whatever you’re going through. We'll work together to craft exposures tailored to your specific triggers, helping you face them head-on. We will practice techniques designed to assist you in developing better relationships with your thoughts and emotions. ERP empowers you to take back control of your life and build confidence in managing anxiety and other OCD themes, no matter how they show up.
ACT focuses on cultivating psychological flexibility through mindfulness, willingness, and acceptance. ACT teaches us to observe our internal experiences from a distance (example: imagine watching the movie of your life), accept their presences, and build the willingness to experience them without trying to eliminate them. Together, we'll practice allowing uncomfortable thoughts and emotions to come along for the ride while you pursue what truly matters to you—which can be especially empowering for couples, too. This increased tolerance reduces suffering and gradually diminishes the impact of anxiety and intrusive thoughts on daily life. The impact it can have on our relationships is profound.
EFT is a research-based approach for couples that strengthens emotional connection and improves communication. Rather than focusing only on surface conflict, EFT helps identify the underlying patterns that leave partners feeling stuck, distant, or misunderstood.
In our work together, we slow down moments of tension and explore the emotions driving them. As these patterns become clearer, couples begin to respond to one another with greater openness and empathy instead of defensiveness or withdrawal.
EFT is not about blame. It’s about understanding the cycle you’re caught in and creating new ways of reaching for each other. Over time, partners often feel more secure, more connected, and better able to navigate conflict without it threatening the relationship.