Our Therapeutic Approach

We use Exposure and Ritual Prevention (ERP) techniques, which are based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). While this outcome can be enhanced with the implementation of medications, we have found that many people benefit from therapy alone. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has two components. First, it helps to change thinking patterns (cognitions) that have prevented individuals from overcoming their fears. And second, the behavioral component helps individuals to slowly come in contact with their fears. This is done through Exposure and Ritual Prevention Therapy (ERP) and is designed to systematically desensitize one to their fears. This treatment is exceptionally effective and produces remarkable results, allowing individuals to learn that they can successfully face their fears. Repeatedly facing one's fears and learning to manage the uncomfortable feelings and thoughts associated with these fears allows the anxiety to gradually fade away. Situations in which the fears may have caused anxiety that was paralyzing can become manageable. The person learns he can choose to "flee" or "fight", and what was once a "flight" response may become nothing more than an acknowledgement of the fear. 

                                                    Our Staff

Dr. Robin Zasio, Psy. D., LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been working in the field of mental health for the past 18 years and has extensive experience in utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Ritual Prevention techniques while working in inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. Dr. Zasio began working specifically with OCD and anxiety related disorders 10 years ago at which point her specialization began. After developing a private practice, she became co-owner of The Anxiety Treatment Center of Northern California. In 2005 she developed The Anxiety Treatment Center, Inc. and more recently The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center, both located in Sacramento, CA which she currently owns and directs. Dr. Zasio has a private practice providing individual, group and family therapy services, in addition to supervising interns who are learning to treat anxiety conditions. She is also the owner of two local residential mental health recovery homes which were created in 1990. Dr. Zasio was the President of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association from 2003-2005. She currently remains on the board as Past President and MCEP Chair. Dr. Zasio also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, and is also on the advisory board for the Sacramento Chapter of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill. She is a member of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation, California Psychological Association, American Psychological association, Trichotillomania Learning Center, and Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Jennie Gault, MFT  is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  For the past five years, Jennie worked as a therapist at a local non-profit agency.  She provided therapy to children, adolescents, and families and addressed a broad range of issues including anger, depression, PTSD, and divorce.  Jennie is experienced in treating anxiety related to adjusting to new schools, homes, and other life changes.  As an intern, she received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) from the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy.  Jennie developed the curriculum and co-facilitated a 12-week CBT group and 8 week stress management groups where the main focus was in the practical application of stress reduction techniques. This past December, she created and led a brief group on reducing stress and anxiety around the holiday season. Prior to working as a therapist, Jennie was a behavioral technician/assistant at a school for children with Autism.  She also completed an 8 week volunteer training at WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment) and worked as a crisis line counselor, educating and supporting women in domestic violent relationships. Jennie is a member of the Sacramento Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, and The Trichotillomania Learning Center.

Robin Taylor Kirk, MFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Her interest and training in working with OCD and anxiety disorders dovetails with her expertise in the treatment of eating disorders and self-injury.   She was a founding member and co-owner of Summit Eating Disorders Program providing both intensive outpatient and inpatient treatment and is currently on the Advisory Board of the Sacramento Eating Disorders and Outreach Program.  Robin also maintains a private practice utilizing cognitive-behavioral and relational psychodynamic theories.   She is a member of the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, the Academy for Eating Disorders, the International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals, the Education Committee of the Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, the American Psychological Association, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and has received advanced training from John F. Kennedy University in the treatment of eating disorders.

Jeff Bell, Consultant, is an author, radio personality, and motivational speaker. His new book, Rewind, Replay, Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Hazelden), recounts his long-secret battles with severe OCD and the elaborate double-life the disorder forced him to lead—as a successful news anchor secretly consumed by endless checking, washing, and other rituals—before getting the CBT help that he needed. Jeff is actively involved with the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation—for which he recently served as a keynote speaker—and Mental Health America’s Real Lives Campaign—for which he serves as national spokesperson. He is a 2007 recipient of MHA’s prestigious forWARDS Award for "moving the cause of mental health forward." Jeff is committed to helping other OCs tackle CBT therapy, and to that end, has developed what he calls a "Greater Good" motivational framework, based on his own recovery experience. Jeff can be heard weekday afternoons on KCBS Radio (740 AM).

Tracy Brady, Psychology Doctoral Intern is a second year graduate student in Clinical Psychology at California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Sacramento.  Prior to graduate school, Tracy worked as a Behavioral Specialist in the Hawaii Dept. of Education.  Her target population was IDEA and 504 identified children with disruptive behaviors.  She coordinated behavioral plans, functional behavioral assessments, interventions, and one-on-one and group therapy sessions through constant communication with all parties involved in the child’s life.  During this employment, she was trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Prior to the DOE, Tracy worked as a one-on-one skills trainer with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  She used Applied Behavioral Analysis and CARD techniques to improve these children’s abilities to function in a mainstream setting with peers and earned a certificate in Autism training.  Tracy has also worked as a counselor at a halfway house for youth ages 12-16 who have been placed in residential shelters by court order or child protective services.  Tracy is a member of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). 

Bridget Koch, Psychology Doctoral Intern is in her second year of study at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, in the Clinical Psychology program.  Born and raised in Woodland, California, Bridget graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with her B.A. in Psychology.  Before coming to The Anxiety Treatment Center, Bridget worked as a Psychological Intern at a continuation high school in Sacramento where she conducted intake interviews, individual therapy and group counseling sessions for 14 to15-year old continuation high school students.  In addition to her experience working with adolescents, she has also been a Classroom Aide for children with special needs.  Bridget has worked as a specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area for the past two years.