About the Institute

Three Decades of Healing

Founded to meet the need for specialized treatment of severe OCD and related disorders, Westwood Institute provides evidence-based care with deep clinical expertise.

Our Story

Built Around Specialized Care

The Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders was founded in response to the lack of expertise and successful treatment options for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Dr. Gorbis developed an intensive treatment approach grounded in ERP, CBT, and mindful awareness.

Since then, the Institute has helped patients from across the United States and internationally pursue recovery through structured, evidence-based treatment.

30+ Years of Excellence

Founded in 1994, with roots in pioneering OCD research at UCLA since the early 1990s.

Intensive Treatment Programs

Immersive, individually tailored programs designed for severe and treatment-resistant cases.

ERP Specialists

Trained in Dr. Edna Foa’s Exposure and Response Prevention protocol, the gold standard for OCD treatment.

Psychiatry Integration

Comprehensive psychopharmacological management can be coordinated with behavioral therapy.

Meet the Team

Led by World-Renowned Experts

Our clinicians bring specialized training and a deep commitment to helping patients overcome challenging cases.

Director & Founder

Eda Gorbis, PhD, LMFT

Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine

Dr. Gorbis is a world-renowned authority on the treatment and research of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. She trained under Dr. Edna B. Foa, the pioneer of ERP therapy, and worked with Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz at UCLA, creator of the Four-Step Cognitive Behavioral Self-Treatment method.

She synthesized these approaches to establish the Westwood Institute, achieving one of the highest success rates for OCD treatment in the United States.

OCDBDDERPCBTPTSDAnxiety

View Full Team → Inquire with Dr. Gorbis