Director & Founder
Dr. Eda Gorbis
Ph.D., LMFT
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences · USC Keck School of Medicine
Eda Gorbis, PhD, LMFT, is a world-renowned authority on the treatment and research of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). From 1999 until 2014 Dr. Gorbis held an appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. She trained under Dr. Edna B. Foa, an internationally recognized authority who pioneered the protocols of Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy and Prolonged Exposure (PE) methods.
She also worked with Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz at UCLA, who created the Four-Step Cognitive Behavioral Self-Treatment method. Dr. Gorbis successfully synthesized these approaches, along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to establish and direct the Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders.
As clinical director, she personally works with each patient who enters the Intensive Outpatient Program. With over 20 years of experience specializing in refractory OCD cases and complex comorbid conditions, the Institute has successfully treated individuals from across the United States and internationally.
Her innovative treatment methods, including the use of "crooked mirrors" to treat individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, have earned recognition from national and international media.
Dr. Gorbis served as Vice President of the OC Foundation of California, completing her full term of service. She has also been a dedicated lecturer for the West Los Angeles VA PTSD Clinic and served two terms on the Scientific Advisory Board of the National OC Foundation. She is an author and co-author of numerous scientifically significant articles on OCD.
OCD BDD ERP Therapy CBT PTSD Anxiety Disorders Refractory Cases
Curriculum Vitae · Psychology Today
Professional Endorsement
What Colleagues Say
"Dr. Eda Gorbis is a seasoned expert in helping people overcome OCD and related problems. Although there is no easy road to recovery, Dr. Gorbis and her expert team help even the toughest cases. I have known her for many years and have seen her make amazing progress with people who were considered beyond help." "Her approach is compassionate, caring, intense — and fast. Clients who stay with the program experience positive changes, less distress, and improved mood. The anxiety that once felt like a constant crisis becomes increasingly manageable over time. I highly recommend the Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders in Los Angeles for anyone with obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, or related conditions." — Leading OCD Researcher and Clinical Colleague
In the Media
Recognized Expertise
Dr. Gorbis's treatment methods have been featured on national and international media.
Work with Dr. Gorbis
Contact us to learn more about the Intensive Outpatient Program and schedule a comprehensive assessment with our clinical team.