Devora Scher, Psy.D.

Getting Comfortable with Discomfort

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Devora Scher, Psy.D.'s style

Why Devora Scher, Psy.D. chose to be in the helping profession

I am deeply grateful for the rich training I received. I pursued my doctoral studies at Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology and completed my doctoral internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. These experiences shaped not only how I understand people, but also how I show up with them in the therapeutic space. They taught me to approach complexity with patience, humility, and curiosity, and to recognize the strength people bring even when they cannot see it yet.

I believe that growth is fueled not by fleeting emotions but by the slow, steady steps we take in the face of uncertainty. Using evidence-based techniques, I am drawn to the moments that require nuance, and I find genuine meaning in helping clients discover clarity and hope, especially when the path forward feels narrow, complex, or overwhelming. I am continually inspired by my clients’ courage and I remain wholeheartedly dedicated to their care. Supporting people as they navigate their unique challenges and strengths is one of the most rewarding parts of my work, and it is a privilege I never take lightly.

Devora Scher, Psy.D.'s approach

After a thorough initial assessment, I propose an individualized treatment plan that reflects each client’s specific needs and goals. In my work with anxiety and OCD, I primarily rely on behavioral therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure with response prevention. When it feels clinically appropriate, I may also integrate elements of acceptance and commitment therapy to strengthen the work we are doing together. My sincere hope and experience is that clients begin to notice at least partial symptom reduction within a few months, which can be an encouraging sign that change is possible.

My collaborative approach often extends beyond the therapy room when doing so will meaningfully support a client’s progress. I regularly communicate with school faculty, medical providers, coaches, and religious leaders to help strengthen the broader ecosystem surrounding the individual. Over the years, I have also developed specialized youth and adult programs that include camps, single day events, and semi structured groups designed to complement and enhance individual therapy. More information about these offerings can be found on my website.

What you can expect from sessions with Devora Scher, Psy.D.

My therapeutic approach is warm, thoughtful, and grounded in a clear sense of purpose. I work collaboratively with clients to identify meaningful goals and to move toward them at a steady and manageable pace. In exposure with response prevention therapy, many clients describe feeling empowered and supported as we work together to loosen the grip of anxiety and help them feel less stuck.

Clients can expect an environment where they feel safe, understood, and genuinely cared for as they navigate their challenges. I strive to create a space where people can show up exactly as they are and trust that they will be met with compassion and professionalism. My hope is that each person leaves therapy with a stronger sense of clarity, capability, and connection to their own growth.

Devora Scher, Psy.D.'s experience working with the Jewish community

I work with clients from all religious backgrounds, while maintaining a strong focus on the Jewish community. Over the years, I have supported many individuals and families who want a therapist who understands the role faith plays in their daily lives and in their internal experiences. This awareness helps create a space where clients feel comfortable bringing both their strengths and their struggles into the room.

Given the opportunistic nature of OCD, I frequently work with clients who experience religious obsessions. Many people understandably worry about whether a therapist will truly understand their values and beliefs. It is important to emphasize that effective OCD treatment should never contradict or compromise a person’s faith. As always, I rely on a thoughtful assessment, careful collaboration with religious figures when appropriate, and ongoing treatment monitoring to ensure that therapy remains aligned with a client’s values while helping them learn to navigate obsessional distress with greater clarity and resilience.

Devora Scher, Psy.D.'s Book Recommendation Zone

• Freedom from OCD by Jonathan Grayson
• Self Compassion Workbook for OCD by Kimberly Quinlan
• Breaking Free of Child Anxiety & OCD by Eli Lebowitz
• DBT Principles in Action: Acceptance, Change, and Dialectics by Charlie Swenson
• Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Steven Hayes
• The Agoraphobia Workbook: A Comprehensive Program to End Your Fear of Symptom Attacks by Alec Pollard

Devora Scher, Psy.D. is facilitator of:

Approaches

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Concerns

• Anxiety
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Selective Mutism

5 years in practice

Licenses

• New Jersey by Licensed Psychologist. License number 6845
• New York by Licensed Psychologist. License number 26014

Degrees

• Doctor of Psychology 2021

Certificates

• PsyPact by Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) through PsyPact #1558

Trainings

• Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD, Cognitive Behavior Institute Center for Education
• Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), Yale Child Study Center
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents Implementation & Training, James J. Mazza, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Dexter-Mazza, Psy.D.
• Professional Training Institute, TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB’s, such as Trichotillomania/Hair Pulling)

Average costs per session

$250

Payment Methods

• Insurance
• Credit Card

Insurances

• Aetna