Our Mission at Overcoming Health Anxiety

Dr. Josh Spitalnick is a Licensed Psychologist, Board Certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology (ABPP), and the CEO and Practice Owner of Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, an outpatient clinic located in Dunwoody, GA. With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Spitalnick is recognized for his expertise in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety and mood disorders, health anxiety, specific phobias, trauma, and relationship difficulties. He employs evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to deliver transformative care to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples.

Dr. Spitalnick’s clinical specialties include pediatric anxiety, addressing challenges like separation anxiety, selective mutism, phobias, and sleep difficulties, as well as the treatment of complex OCD subtypes such as harm OCD, moral scrupulosity, and relationship OCD. His extensive experience extends to supporting individuals with chronic health conditions like cancer, Crohn’s disease, and colitis, integrating his psychological expertise with medical complexities.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Spitalnick collaborates with C-level executives, business owners, professional athletes, and media personalities, helping them navigate challenges such as performance anxiety, imposter syndrome, and the pressure of high-stakes career paths. He is also the owner of a consulting business that assists healthcare practices in optimizing clinical efficacy, operational efficiency, and profitability.

Published Works and Contributions to the Field

Dr. Spitalnick is the co-author of two highly regarded publications. His book, “The Complete Guide to Overcoming Health Anxiety”, provides a comprehensive roadmap for individuals managing health-related fears and is complemented by the website www.OvercomingHealthAnxiety.com. He also co-authored “Raising Resilience: 25 Tips for Parenting Your Child with Anxiety or OCD”, an internationally recognized parenting guide that has been translated into Spanish and shared widely by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). The book’s impact was further expanded through a 10-video series released on Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta’s YouTube channel.

Academic and Research Achievements

Dr. Spitalnick’s academic foundation is distinguished by advanced training and contributions to the field of psychology. After earning his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Georgia (UGA) in 2005, he completed a prestigious NIMH-funded fellowship focusing on HIV/AIDS interventions. He joined Emory University in 2006 as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and remains an Adjunct Assistant Professor, where he trains physicians and mental health professionals in evidence-based practices.

As a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on over 15 federally funded research initiatives, Dr. Spitalnick has advanced programs addressing pediatric anxiety, PTSD, sleep disorders, substance use, and resilience training for healthcare workers. He also explores emerging technologies for disseminating evidence-based treatments, ensuring that interventions reach diverse populations effectively.

Leadership and Advocacy

Dr. Spitalnick’s dedication to the clinical community is evident in his role as a training faculty member for the IOCDF’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), where he mentors clinicians in delivering evidence-based care. He has also consulted with anxiety specialty clinics to improve treatment delivery and remains an active voice in public education through media engagements. His expertise has been featured across platforms such as ABC News, CNN.com, Fox 5 News, NPR, The OCD Stories, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among others.

In Atlanta, Dr. Spitalnick is deeply involved in volunteer work, having served as a board member for OCD Georgia, chaired mental health initiatives in local religious and educational institutions, and contributed to community well-being.

Personal Life and Interests

A lifelong resident of Atlanta, Dr. Spitalnick is passionate about his hometown’s sports teams, particularly the Georgia Bulldogs, and celebrates their 2021 and 2022 National Championships enthusiastically (Go Dawgs!). A lover of stand-up comedy, he dreams of sharing lunch with Ellen DeGeneres, his all-time favorite comedian. When he isn’t immersed in psychology, he enjoys music as a percussionist of 30+ years, frequently listens to his favorite band, Phish, and treasures time spent with family and friends.

Dr. Spitalnick’s unwavering commitment to advancing mental health care continues to inspire both his clients and the professionals he mentors.

Michael Stier, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri and Georgia, is a highly respected clinician specializing in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), health anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and social anxiety. As the Director of Education and Training at Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, Michael employs evidence-based approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to deliver impactful, personalized care. He integrates mindfulness-based and metacognitive strategies to enhance motivation, foster insight, and deepen the efficacy of exposure-based therapies.

Michael conducts all of his sessions via telehealth from his base in Illinois, just outside of St. Louis. While teletherapy initially emerged as a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael embraced the format to develop innovative, flexible approaches for treating OCD and related disorders, making care accessible to a wider range of clients.

Pioneering Mental Health Resources

In 2023, Michael co-authored “The Complete Guide to Overcoming Health Anxiety”, a comprehensive guide available in paperback and ebook formats. To complement the book, he launched www.OvercomingHealthAnxiety.com, a resource-rich website dedicated to helping individuals better understand and manage health anxiety.

Clinical Practice and Expertise

Before joining Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, Michael operated a successful solo private practice, Michael Stier Therapy, LLC, where he focused exclusively on treating anxiety-related disorders. His expertise includes treating Pure O subtypes of OCD, such as moral and religious scrupulosity, intrusive thoughts related to harm and responsibility, and obsessions involving sexuality. Michael also has extensive experience working with medical-specific phobias, including fear of blood, needles, and medical procedures.

Michael is a sought-after speaker in the St. Louis metro area, where he has led seminars and workshops on the accurate assessment and treatment of OCD using evidence-based approaches. He remains an active member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), presenting annually at its conference and offering clinical consultation to other professionals.

Professional and Educational Journey

Michael’s journey in mental health began with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2010) and a Master’s in Professional Counseling (2013) from McKendree University. He obtained his LCPC license in Illinois in 2015, followed by LPC licensure in Missouri (2021) and Georgia (2022). His passion for delivering top-tier care led him to complete advanced training at the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) through the IOCDF in 2018, and he joined the BTTI faculty in 2024.

Personal Life and Interests

A lifelong resident of the St. Louis area, Michael is devoted to his family, including his wife, two sons, and their two Boston Terriers, Fred and Edith, who often make appearances during teletherapy sessions. Outside of work, he is an avid ice hockey fan (Go Blues!), enjoys perfecting his espresso-making skills, and loves re-watching his favorite comedies like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Seinfeld.

Michael’s dedication to advancing the field of mental health and his innovative approach to teletherapy continue to make him a trusted and compassionate leader in treating anxiety and OCD.