Sheila McCarthy-Loatman

Providing virtual and in-person individual teletherapy services to all NY residents.

Specialized Treatment :

• Exposure Response Prevention

• Acceptance Commitment Therapy

• Human Centered Approaches

• Crisis intervention

• Works with adolescents, young adults and adult clients

A Conversation with Sheila

What drew you to this work?
It comes from the perspective that pain and distress around intrusive thoughts and anxiety is a universal experience in so many ways, and being able to walk alongside people in that space is what pulled me into this work.

What do you love most about working with clients who have OCD and anxiety?
I love the moment when things start to click. When clients begin to see how they’re interpreting their intrusive thoughts—and then realize they can shift that relationship

How would you describe your approach to therapy?
My style is very collaborative, engaging, and creative. I want therapy to feel like something we’re building together. A big focus is helping clients develop confidence in living with uncertainty, rather than feeling like they need to control or eliminate it.

What does “good therapy” look like to you?
Good therapy helps people truly understand themselves on a deeper level. It’s not just about talking—it’s about walking away with insight and tools that actually support lasting growth in everyday life.

What’s something you want clients to feel when they sit with you?
That their time mattered. That something meaningful happened in the room—that they were heard, understood, and moved even a small step forward.

What’s one thing you often find yourself saying to clients?
“Awareness is powerful.”
When we understand our thoughts and feelings more clearly, they often become a lot less overwhelming.

What’s something you enjoy outside of therapy?
I love being outside—going for walks in nature and exploring new places. I also really enjoy drawing and painting, whether it’s on my own or with people I love.