Directors

Dr. Amir’s research focuses on cognitive-behavioral approaches to anxiety, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms of emotional regulation and exposure therapy. Over the years, he has published numerous influential papers and has been instrumental in advancing clinical practices in his areas of expertise.

Dr. Kuckertz's work focuses on understanding and treating OCD and related disorders in real-world conditions. Her research seeks to identify what is happening during exposure-based therapies that leads to improvements in people's lives, and what is missing when these treatments fail to do so. Dr. Kuckertz synthesizes both "big data" and "small data" approaches, leveraging advanced analytic methods whose use is informed by qualitative and lived experience perspectives from individuals with OCD and the clinicians who support them. Her research spans multiple institutions with active research collaborations across the country. Dr. Kuckertz is a leader in the OCD advocacy space, serving as the President of OCD Southern California, and works closely with clinicians, researchers, people with OCD, and their families to improve access to compassionate OCD care. 

Dr. Najmi specializes in empirically supported treatments for OCD, Social Phobia, Specific Phobia, Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The main focus of her clinical practice is weekly and intensive Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) treatment for OCD.