<![CDATA[Anxiety & OCD Behavioral Health Center - In the Moment Blog]]>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 05:14:16 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Hello Again — A Reintroduction from Dr. Heather Plinovich]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2025 15:21:49 GMThttps://anxietybehavioralhealth.com/in-the-moment-blog/hello-again-a-reintroduction-from-dr-heather-plinovichHi there, I’m Dr. Heather Plinovich — licensed psychologist and founder of Anxiety and Behavioral Health. It’s been a while since I’ve shared here, so I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself and say thank you for stopping by.

I specialize in treating OCD, anxiety, and related conditions using evidence-based therapies, including:
  • ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)
  • ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
  • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

​When I started this practice, my goal was simple: to provide expert care in a space where people feel truly supported and understood.

Today, I’m proud to lead a team that helps children, teens, adults, and families untangle the knots of anxiety and move toward lives of greater ease and freedom.

This spring, I had the chance to travel to China with my family — a beautiful reminder to slow down, stay curious, and bring fresh perspective into both life and therapy.

If you’re new here or returning after a while, welcome. I’m glad you’re here, and I look forward to sharing more soon.

— Dr. Heather P.
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]]><![CDATA[Enterprising women at the helm]]>Mon, 01 Aug 2016 05:00:00 GMThttps://anxietybehavioralhealth.com/in-the-moment-blog/enterprising-women-at-the-helm
Dr. Heather Chik was recognized as one of the "women leaders who cleared the glass ceiling" in this Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly article by columnist Jerry Davich. In the article, Dr. Chik discussed how she took a "calculated risk" and began her solo practice in Munster, IN.
]]><![CDATA[Hoarding differs from OCD]]>Tue, 06 Jan 2015 06:00:00 GMThttps://anxietybehavioralhealth.com/in-the-moment-blog/hoarding-differs-from-ocd
At the 2015 Indiana Psychological Association's Fall Conference, held in Indianapolis, IN, Dr. Heather Chik conducted a workshop on how to deliver evidence-based treatment for hoarding disorder, using specialized cognitive-behavioral therapy. The National Psychologist summarized Dr. Chik's presentation - underscoring the need for a "different strategy" beyond the use of pharmaceutical drugs. 
]]><![CDATA[Blood donation, Ferris wheel rides help combat certain fears]]>Sun, 12 Oct 2014 05:00:00 GMThttps://anxietybehavioralhealth.com/in-the-moment-blog/blood-donation-ferris-wheel-rides-help-combat-certain-fearsPicture
In a second of a four-part series about fear in this NWI Times article, clinical psychologist Dr. Heather Chik discusses specific phobias related to needles and height
]]><![CDATA[Science of fear: Clowns, dead things can terrorize, traumatize]]>Sat, 04 Oct 2014 05:00:00 GMThttps://anxietybehavioralhealth.com/in-the-moment-blog/science-of-fear-clowns-dead-things-can-terrorize-traumatizePicture
Dr. Heather Chik discusses exposure therapy for specific phobias such as fear of clowns and fear of dead things in this NWI Times article - in time for Halloween!
"A lot of times, we kind of build up how bad things could go," she said. "The probability is actually quite low." - Dr. Heather (Chik) Plinovich, Owner, Director, Clinical Psychologist at the Anxiety & OCD Behavioral Health Center
]]><![CDATA[Practice makes perfect: Managing chronic anxiety]]>Wed, 21 Aug 2013 05:00:00 GMThttps://anxietybehavioralhealth.com/in-the-moment-blog/practice-makes-perfect-managing-chronic-anxietyPicture
Dr. Heather Chik discusses cognitive behavioral therapy in managing anxiety and worry in this Get Healthy magazine of The NWI Times. 
“A lot of times people turn to medication such as antidepressants instead of trying cognitive behavioral therapy first,” - Dr. Heather (Chik) Plinovich, Owner, Director, Clinical Psychologist at Anxiety & OCD Behavior Health Center
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