I absolutely love what I do for living!

A bit about my professional background

My name is Patricia E. Zurita Ona, and because I have a long name, my clients call me Dr. Z.

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist in California, with an undergraduate and doctoral specialized training in empirically supported treatments based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and with strong roots in behavioral interventions.

When I say “specialized training” I mean exactly that!

In addition to my academic training, I’ve participated in formal intensive trainings in different forms of CBT such as Behavioral Activation (BA), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP); pediatric and adult OCD from the Behavior Therapy Institute, a training program from the International OCD Foundation.

While I continued to attend specialized trainings, my approach and style of work started to be significantly shaped by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and that’s how it got so much more specialized.

In the last 17 years, I became ultra-interested and passionate in ACT because it brings radical behaviorism alive with tons of compassion, awareness, and the added benefits of sounded science.

I’m a passionate ACT practitioner and behaviorist. Just to clarify, that doesn’t mean that I work mechanically, robotically, or using rubber-bands. Being a passionate behaviorist means that, at the end of the day, I rely on behaviorism as the lens to understand every experience we have in our day-to-day life in a compassionate, caring, and approachable way.

Behavioral science doesn’t have to be boring and shouldn’t collect dust on a bookshelf; behavioral science can be put into action every time we breathe.

Specialized ACT skills

Right away, since my first introduction to ACT, it made sense to me as a modern model of behaviorism and as a frame to understand what’s behind a person’s stuck points and what are the key process they need to unhook from and move forward.

ACT skills start by clarifying what truly matters to you, and teaches you skills to step back from the inside noise that shows up in your mind, start doing what works, and fully engage in what you truly care about (instead of being pushed around by any type of distressing, annoying, and uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, or sensations)

I’ve been nominated as a Fellow of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Sciences (ACBS) for my contributions to the dissemination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to the treatment of particular unworkable behavioral patterns.

I regularly attend continue education classes, training workshops, teaching to other colleagues or supervising doctoral students.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Bootcamps
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy annual conference (since 2013 – 2018)
ACT consultation
Publications: ACT for emotion regulation, obsessive- compulsive disorder, and perfectionism.
Presentations: workshops, 2-hour lectures, monthly didactic, supervision, and case consultation

How have I spent my time so far?

published books

dissemination Projects

Yoga classes

A bit about my personal background

I’m a social introverted. I absolutely love hanging out with people, bounce ideas back and forth, and share a great laugh. And, I also love the quiet moments, the wondering around and pondering on ideas.

I love pets!

I’m all about the integration between social science and behaviorism.

I’m quite curious, love to create new experiences, and always welcome recommendations for movies, books, and music.

Professional associations I belong to

Association of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (ABCT)
Association of Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
Board Member, Made of Millions

How to work with me

If you live in California you can check my therapy services here: www.eastbaybehaviortherapycenter.com

If you live outside of California or the United States, you can check my coaching services here: https://eastbaybehaviortherapycenter.com/act-coaching/

If you are a clinician or coach and wants to consult with me, you can book me here: https://eastbaybehaviortherapycenter.com/get-scheduled-clinicians/

Learn more:

Who am I: click here
Who I work with: click here
Work with me: click here

Reviews from clients I worked with

I can’t thank Dr. Z enough for what she has done. She was recommended to me by a best in the world professional and she has surpassed expectations.

She is absolutely brilliant and caring. Her professionalism is inspirational. She is up to date on her field and it’s obvious that she is highly respected …

My recommendation, if you thinking about it you should TRY IT!

I have had a very long history of social anxiety, and after spending year after year trying to “fix myself” I finally gave in and tried seeking out some professional help…