The Gateway Institute - Costa Mesa - Costa Mesa, California

Erin R.

The Gateway Institute is an exceptional place for OCD specialized care in Orange County. The therapists get what it is like to have lived experience and as a result, have decided to go back in the field, give back and help others learn how to function again.

All the staff we have worked with at the Gateway Institute are high-quality, caring, intentional and want to help those seek recovery. I can vouch strong recommendations for Jim (the Director) and both Chris and Ann-Margaret (OCD therapists) in helping our family not feel alone, obtain new skills and continue on this path to recovery. We have done multiple Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) every five years or so to reduce the compulsions from over 100, to 70 to 30 and continuing to reduce to 10.

For Jim, thank you for your leadership and starting the Institute. We are greatly appreciative of this place to receive OCD specialized care. You hire and train high quality therapists for OCD care.

For Chris, thank you for all your care and support in previous IOPs, support groups and more. You have helped our family tremendously for many years, with getting our marriage back and Keith to working again with reducing the compulsions. Plus you have been an advocate for our marriage work as we try to give back. You rock as a therapist, advocate and leader in this space.

For Ann-Margaret, thank you for your help and care in supporting both my husband and I in this last IOP. You are an incredible therapist and woman. I have learned several things from you. Thank you for the multiple requests in helping me navigate the difficult process as a caregiver and supporting us in his recovery plus your attention to detail, psycho education, and expertise. We are forever grateful for you.

amelie C.

My name is Amelie, I am 19 and have been struggling with ocd since I was 3 years old. This year it reached a new level of severity, I was basically struggling with every ocd theme all at once, every aspect of my life was completely controlled by ocd, and I was at risk of losing my life to this disorder. I knew I needed a more intensive form of treatment, but I am from New Zealand where there is a huge lack of intensive treatment options for ocd. I traveled all the way to California with my mum to do an intensive outpatient programme at the gateway institute and it has changed my life. I couldn’t recommend it more to anyone who is struggling with ocd. This treatment was hard work, it was the most difficult thing I have ever done but I can honestly say it has saved my life. My therapist Ann-margaret was INCREDIBLE. Deciding to seek treatment on the other side of the world was the scariest thing I’ve ever done, but from the moment I first emailed her she went above and beyond to support me and make me feel safe. She really was everything I hoped she would be, and made the whole process so much less terrifying, I couldn’t recommend her more. She is extremely dedicated, kind, compassionate, and non judgemental, I felt like I could talk about anything, knowing she would never judge me. She helped me do exposures I NEVER imagined I’d ever be able to do, and was there for me every step of the way. She also shared some of her own lived experience with ocd which was so important to me, it meant so much and made me feel so understood. Most importantly she gave me hope that things could get better, that I won’t feel this way forever, I can honestly say she has saved my life. Of course because of the complexity and severity of my ocd, I still have ALOT of hard work to do to really get it under control, and some themes are more difficult than others, but I have made so much progress already, which never would have been possible without Ann-Margaret and the gateway institute!! Doing this treatment at gateway has given me the fundamental tools I need to finally take back control from ocd, you learn SO much, and gain life long skills to cope and live a full life despite this disorder. If you are motivated to learn how to take back your life from ocd, this is your sign to come to gateway, it is so unbelievably worth it!! Remember that the biggest risk of all, is letting ocd be in control!

Robson

"I am sharing some concerns based on feedback I've encountered regarding the Gateway Institute’s approach to mental health treatment. While they are known as specialists in OCD and anxiety therapies, some individuals have reported feeling worse after treatment. The structured methods, while effective for some, may not suit everyone, and unfortunately, this can leave those who don’t respond as well feeling even more isolated and uncertain about where to turn next.

Because the institute is viewed as an authority in their field, patients may feel unable to question the methods or seek alternatives, leaving them without a sense of agency in their treatment journey. It's important that mental health facilities recognize and respond to the diverse needs of their patients to ensure they aren't inadvertently causing further distress.

I hope that by sharing this perspective, Gateway will consider ways to incorporate more individualized care and listen to patients who may need a more flexible or adjusted approach. The mental health journey is complex, and accountability, empathy, and responsiveness are crucial

Keith (. R.

The Gateway Institute is a great place in southern California to seek treatment if you are struggling with OCD or other anxiety-related disorder(s). I have struggled with OCD and depression for over 3 decades, and have sought (Exposure and Response Prevention) treatment and counsel from them over the years, both of which have helped me to have a much better quality of life and manage my struggle with OCD.

I have done three Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) with Gateway. During the last IOP (in August 2024), I had the privilege of working with therapist Ann-Margaret Mercier. She really gets the treatment modalities, genuinely cares about you as an individual, is compassionate yet firm in dealing with OCD, and wants to help you get better and succeed in treatment. In addition, her attention to detail, willingness to help, warmth, encouragement, and kindness are extraordinary. I highly recommend her as a therapist.

In addition, the support groups that Gateway facilitates (for teens and adults) are also very helpful and beneficial. Thank you, Gateway, for providing much-needed hope, treatment, and tangible help to people who struggle with OCD!

Marc W.

I had been suffering from anxiety for several years, which eventually morphed into OCD. Traditional talk therapy did nothing to help and the situation felt hopeless. The counseling I received from Gateway helped me gain a deeper understanding of my anxiety and OCD, and provided me with the tools to manage it and live a happier life. Like anything that is worthwhile, it takes some time and effort to obtain results, but it does work! Special thanks to Jacques Esses, who was a great therapist and guided me through the process.

Sara B.

I have been attending Gateway for almost 2 years now and I feel very fulfilled by my experience there and time spent with my therapist Karen Alonso. I highly recommend her, we've been working together and I can't give her enough credit for all of my progress made. I appreciate her patience, expertise, and understanding. Gateway makes sure that the therapist the pair you with is compatible to your needs and I truly feel like Karen was the perfect match. Not only is she caring, empathetic she makes you feel comfortable in a setting which can be a vulnerable experience. Thank you Karen! Thank you Gateway!

Mark L.

The experience I had at the Gateway Institute was amazing. Before the intensive treatment program, I could not really function on a day-to-day basis because of my OCD. My life was consumed by it and it was extremely distressing. I had not felt like myself in years and I had honestly forgotten what it was like to live without the interference of OCD. The guidance and support they give you during the program is excellent and because of this I no longer battle with OCD on a daily basis. The employees have a deep understanding of OCD and never made me feel out of place no matter what my compulsions or thoughts were. My therapist, Chris was fantastic. While the therapy may seem intimidating at first, I can assure you it is beyond liberating to free yourself from the grip of OCD. I completed the program over 6 months ago and I am better than ever. The tools they give you during the program are useful for overcoming more than just OCD and can be applied after therapy as well. I cannot imagine having done any other therapy program.

Sean S.

I found The Gateway Institute about a year and a half ago when I hit rock bottom. Ive had a lot of experience with other therapist but none of them compare to my therapist Chris Tronsden at Gateway. When I first walked into The Gateway Institute I was extremely depressed, scared and had no direction in my life. When first meeting Chris he was very friendly and professional. My therapist Chris is very unique in the way that he has been through it too and knows what its like. He really wants to see his clients succeed and get their lives back on track. After three months of seeing Chris I was a completely changed person. To be honest I don't know if I would be alive today if it weren't for The Gateway Institute and Chris. The Gateway Institute also have support groups that meet each week. I have been attending the younger adult support group for a year now and have seen so many younger kids and adults turn their lives around. I highly recommend The Gateway Institute! Treatment isn't easy but Gateway has the tools you need in order to get healthy again!