01
OCD & ERP
Reduce the grip of intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and rituals with Exposure and Response Prevention alongside ACT.
Ryan Schuster, PsyD · Clinical Psychologist
Evidence-based therapy for OCD, phobias, and anxiety
Specialized care with Dr. Ryan Schuster, Psy.D. Available in-person in Bellingham and remotely across Washington, California, Oregon, and 40+ PSYPACT States.
Finding the right therapist matters. We can begin with a brief conversation to see whether we may be a good fit.
Psy.D.Bellingham + TelehealthWA · CA · OR · PSYPACTEnglish + Spanish
Areas of focus
Specialized treatment to help you reclaim space in your life.
02
Anxiety & ACT
Build a more flexible relationship with worry and uncertainty while moving toward what matters to you.
03
Phobias & Panic
Use gradual, collaborative exposure to face feared situations and regain freedom in daily life.
Therapy in downtown Bellingham
Flexible care, inside and beyond the office.
114 W Magnolia St · Suite 406 · Fourth floor · Crown Plaza Building
My office is conveniently located in the Crown Plaza building in downtown Bellingham, providing a comfortable, private space for adults seeking specialized treatment for OCD, anxiety disorders, phobias, panic disorder, and related concerns.
Using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I offer personalized, evidence-based care that helps clients move beyond avoidance and build confidence in everyday life.
Whether you prefer meeting exclusively in the office or combining in-person sessions with telehealth and community-based work, we'll create a treatment plan tailored to your goals.
01
In the office
Therapy in the room begins with a strong therapeutic relationship. I prioritize rapport and validation so you can feel understood while doing active, present-focused work. We will make sense of how past experiences shape current patterns, then use that context to support meaningful change and move toward the future you want.
02
Virtual Reality exposure
A bridge between the therapy office and the real world. Virtual Reality can provide a safe, structured environment to begin exposure therapy before practicing in everyday settings.
- Gradually face feared situations
- Build confidence at a comfortable pace
- Reduce avoidance behaviors
- Prepare for real-world exposure exercises
03
Real-world sessions
Where meaningful change becomes everyday practice. Some treatment goals are best achieved outside the office. When appropriate, sessions may take place in community settings around Bellingham, allowing you to practice skills where anxiety naturally occurs.
- Walking through busy public spaces
- Visiting stores, cafés, or other community settings
- Driving-related exposure exercises
- Outdoor walking sessions
- Practicing situations connected to your treatment goals
Crown Plaza Building
A historic building in the heart of downtown Bellingham, with large windows and convenient access.
Exterior reference courtesy of Pacific Continental Realty
Telehealth & access
Care that can move with you.
Licensed states
Washington, California, and Oregon.
PSYPACT mobility
Authorized for interjurisdictional telepsychology practice across all participating PSYPACT states.
PSYPACT reach
Specialized care, even far from a major city.
Dr. Schuster provides telepsychology to people physically located in participating PSYPACT states, including Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Participation can change, so always confirm current coverage on the official map.
View the current official mapParticipating states
Existing clients
Access the secure SimplePractice Client Portal for scheduling, billing, and forms.
Fees & process
Clear information before we begin.
Aetna Washington
I accept Aetna for patients located in Washington. Benefits, eligibility, and insurance billing are managed through Headway.
Insurance Patient AccessPrivate pay fees
$225–$285 per 50-minute session.
- In-office & local care (Bellingham, WA): $225 per session. Includes in-person sessions at the Crown Plaza office and local community-based exposure work.
- Interstate telehealth (CA, OR & PSYPACT states): $285 per session. Reflects specialized interjurisdictional care and out-of-state regulatory oversight.
- Superbills: Monthly statements are provided through SimplePractice for clients seeking out-of-network reimbursement.
- No Surprises Act: Every private-pay client receives a personalized Good Faith Estimate stating their session rate before intake.
Initial consultation
A brief 20-minute conversation to learn about your goals, answer questions, and determine whether we're a good fit.
What to expect
A clear, collaborative beginning.
01
Introductory conversation
An initial 20-minute conversation to discuss your goals, answer logistical questions, and confirm fit.
02
Comprehensive assessment
One or two structured intake sessions focusing on your history, symptoms, and current challenges.
03
Targeted treatment plan
Collaboratively building an active, evidence-based treatment plan utilizing ERP, ACT, or CBT.
Telehealth for OCD & phobias
Specialized treatment—wherever you are.
You don't have to live near my office to receive specialized, evidence-based care. Through secure telehealth sessions, I work with adults experiencing OCD, phobias, panic disorder, health anxiety, and related anxiety disorders throughout Washington (and PSYPACT states, where applicable).
Together, we'll create a personalized treatment plan designed to help you reduce avoidance, face fears with confidence, and build a life guided by your values—not anxiety.
01
Exposure and response prevention
The gold-standard treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders.
- Gradually face feared situations in a safe, structured way
- Reduce compulsions and avoidance behaviors
- Learn that anxiety naturally decreases without relying on rituals
- Build long-term confidence and resilience
02
Acceptance and commitment therapy
ACT complements ERP by helping you:
- Develop psychological flexibility
- Change your relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions
- Stay present instead of getting caught in anxiety
- Take meaningful actions aligned with your personal values
Telehealth is available across Washington, California, Oregon, and applicable PSYPACT states.
Dr. Ryan Schuster
Licensed Psychologist · Bilingual care
About Dr. Schuster
Clinical depth, creative curiosity, and a deeply human presence.
Dr. Schuster’s interest in psychology sits alongside a lifelong creative side. He studied Social Science with an emphasis in psychology and a minor in photography at the University of Southern California before earning his doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco.
As the son of Argentinian immigrants, he brings a personal understanding of acculturation, identity, and intergenerational conflict. He offers fully bilingual therapy in English and Spanish and works to understand each person within the context of their culture, family, and life.
In therapy, he values human connection and embraces both the art and science of psychotherapy. His style is collaborative, warm, and active: he prioritizes a trusting relationship, helps clients develop new insights, and works with them to initiate and sustain meaningful change while keeping room for balance between work and life.
His predoctoral and postdoctoral training included child and adolescent development, neuropsychological testing, parent consultation, and individual therapy. He later spent five years at the Psychological Care and Healing Center in Mar Vista, focusing on OCD and other severe anxiety disorders.
Doctoral training
Photography & creativity
Collaborative care
Fully bilingual
CA PSY 29137 · WA PY61117866 · OR 4119 · PSYPACT Authorized
NPI 1619256914
De-identified endorsements
Reflections shared by former clients.
Some of these testimonials were translated from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish. They remain anonymous to protect client privacy and are shared voluntarily with permission.
Testimonials represent individual experiences and do not guarantee similar results for every client.
“Ryan is a great therapist who helped me so much over the past couple years. I went to him when I was at my lowest and made a ton of progress while Ryan was my therapist. I could trust him with everything I talked about and never felt judged by what I said. Having Ryan as my therapist made a huge difference in my life and I am so glad he was there to support me.”
“Ryan is a wonderful and committed psychologist, who brings not only a specific expertise but also the ability to adapt and learn to provide very effective therapeutic services for a diverse range of clients. He brings a professionalism, curiosity, and open mindedness which supports his technical skills and creates a warm and supportive therapeutic environment. I worked with Ryan for several years, over the course of which he helped me process and work through various complex and intersecting identity issues and mental health components that were lowering my quality of life and holding me back from living authentically. Working with Ryan was a great experience and I am beyond grateful for all the progress we made working together. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a psychologist!”
“Dr. Schuster is amazing and has been a tremendous help in my struggle with anxiety and OCD. I was initially hesitant to see a therapist because I had successfully managed my conditions for most of my adult life, but I am so glad I started seeing him when I did. Before the birth of my first child, everything came back full force and I was in rough shape. Ryan made me feel comfortable right away and has been a huge source of support and encouragement for me. He is open minded, insightful, intuitive and asks all of the right questions. He is very knowledgeable about different modalities, therapies and techniques. He gives me fresh perspective and holds me accountable for my progress. I can’t recommend him highly enough.”
“I met Ryan during what I would say was the darkest days of my life. I went through a divorce just as Covid was spreading massively and a lockdown was in place. Ryan found ways to connect with me and has made and continues to make me feel like I am really really cared about. And not alone. He makes me feel special and realize why I am special. Talking with Ryan feels natural and if I didn’t know him as a therapist I would honestly say I am happy and lucky to have him friend.”
Billing rights
Good Faith Estimate
No Surprises Act notice
“Under the No Surprises Act, health care providers are required to give patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.”
A considered first step
Let's connect.
Answer four simple logistics questions to organize the next step. No symptoms or clinical information are requested.
I accept Aetna for patients located in Washington. Insurance eligibility and billing are managed through Headway.
Logistics guide
Step 1 of 4
Where will you usually be located for sessions?
Your physical location matters for telehealth authorization.