Anxiety Therapist in NYC - Therapists Trained in Evidence-Based Methods for Anxiety Disorder
Whether you’re struggling panic attacks, overthinking or reassurance seeking, our skilled anxiety therapists in NYC and New York specialize in research-backed approaches to help you feel in control of your life. We provide in-person therapy on the Upper East Side, the Hudson Valley, and online therapy across NY and NJ.
Evidence-Based Care
CBT and Behavioral Therapy
Inclusive & Affirming
LGBTQIA+ owned
Accessible
No Waitlist, In-Person, Virtual & Hybrid
Anxiety Therapy in NYC: Why Aspire Is Different
Living with anxiety can feel exhausting. Maybe you’re tired of the racing thoughts, the constant “what ifs,” or the way panic shows up in your body with a pounding heart, sweaty palms, or sleepless nights. Anxiety doesn’t just make you feel stressed—it can shrink your world, leaving you avoiding social situations, overthinking every detail, or feeling like you’re never fully at ease.
At Aspire Psychotherapy, we know that many people come to us after trying therapy that didn’t go deep enough or didn’t truly help. That’s why we created something different: a boutique, LGBTQIA+ owned practice where clients feel safe, seen, and guided by therapists who are hand-selected for their expertise in evidence-based care.
Our team specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and other proven approaches for anxiety. We don’t just listen—we teach tools, strategies, and mind-body skills that help you manage anxiety in real life. Whether you’re struggling with panic attacks, social anxiety, high-functioning anxiety, or perfectionism, we tailor treatment to your needs so you can feel more grounded, confident, and in control.
The opposite of anxious isn’t just “calm”—it’s safety. With the right therapist and the right approach, you can build a life where anxiety no longer runs the show.
As Featured In
We Treat Different Types of Anxiety
Anxiety isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can show up differently for everyone, and the strategies that work best depend on your unique experience. At Aspire, our therapists specialize in treating a wide range of anxiety-related concerns, including:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Ongoing worry that feels impossible to control, often paired with fatigue, irritability, or trouble sleeping.
Social Anxiety & Social Phobia: Fear of judgment or embarrassment that leads to avoiding social situations, work events, or relationships.
Panic Disorder: Sudden episodes of intense anxiety or panic attacks, often with physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Performance Anxiety: Fear of failure or being evaluated in high-pressure situations—common for athletes, professionals, and students.
School and Test Anxiety: Worry about grades, exams, or school performance that leads to stress, sleepless nights, or avoidance of class (learn more about school anxiety in NYC).
Phobias: Intense fear of specific situations or objects that interfere with daily life.
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: Intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors that feel impossible to stop (treated with Exposure and Response Prevention).
LGBTQIA+ Related Stress: Navigating sexuality and gender identity, or just preferring an LGBTQ therapist to work on goals and stress.
Neurodivergent-Related Stress: Various forms of sensory sensitivities, anticipatory dread, rejection sensitivity and attention differences.
Acute Anxiety Episodes: Spikes of overwhelming worry that may come on during transitions or major life stressors, including insomnia, nightmares and sleep anxiety.
We understand these challenges can affect your relationships, career, and sense of self. With anxiety therapy, we focus on practical strategies to reduce anxiety, build resilience, and help you feel security in your own life again.
Our Approach to Anxiety Treatment
No two people experience anxiety the same way—and that’s why your care shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all.
Your journey begins with a comprehensive intake and matching process. We connect you with an anxiety therapist who truly understands what you’re going through. From there, we create a tailored treatment plan that goes beyond “just talking", but will teach you skills to manage your anxiety in real life.
Our therapy sessions are structured and goal-oriented so you can see progress and build confidence as you go. Many clients appreciate that our style is active and collaborative, giving them practical strategies to handle triggers and shift negative thought patterns. For some, we also integrate psychodynamic elements for deeper work or combine treatment with biofeedback to regulate stress responses.
We know anxiety can affect so many areas of life, which is why we treat different types of anxiety, from overthinking and social anxiety to performance anxiety, perfectionism, and relationship concerns.
Whether you prefer to meet in NYC at our Upper East Side office or virtual, we make it easy to access the support you need. Our goal is sustainable change, not temporary relief—so you can stop avoiding life and start living it fully.
What to Expect in Treatment
Starting therapy can feel intimidating—we get that. That’s why we keep the process simple, transparent, and focused on your goals from the very first session.
The First Few Sessions:
We’ll spend time getting to know your experience with anxiety, what’s worked (and what hasn’t), and what matters most to you. These sessions are question-heavy, but they’re also about building trust and a strong relationship with your provider.
Collaborative Planning:
Together, you and your therapist will set goals and create a plan that feels realistic and tailored to your needs—whether that’s easing panic attacks, managing social anxiety, or finding calm in daily life.
Intervention & Skills-Building:
Once the foundation is set, you’ll move into the active phase of therapy. Sessions are practical, hands-on, and focused on helping you manage anxiety both inside and outside the therapy room.
Timeline:
Everyone’s journey looks different, but many clients notice improvement within 12–20 sessions. This expected treatment length can be clarified after your intake appointment. We’ll check in regularly and adjust along the way so therapy keeps working for you.
How to Get Started with Anxiety Therapy at Aspire Psychotherapy
We’ve designed a simple, supportive process to help you start psychotherapy or psychological testing in NYC, the Hudson Valley, or virtually across New York and New Jersey.
Step 1: Book Your Intake
Schedule a 30-minute virtual intake ($175) with one of our Clinical Directors. Whether you’re seeking goal-oriented therapy for anxiety or simply a safe space to vent, we’ll begin by clarifying your goals.
Step 2: Get Matched
From there, you’ll get personally matched with a therapist or psychologist based on the treatment plan, therapy style, and your preferences like day/time, virtual or in-person, and personality type.
Step 3: Begin with Confidence
Start care knowing you’ve found the right therapist or testing provider. Our team provides inclusive, evidence-based therapy and evaluations so you can move forward with clarity and support.
What Our Clients Say
“After suffering my whole life and then having what I’d constitute as a mental breakdown, I’m living generally an anxiety free life without using medication.”
“I was having anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia last year and started seeking help. I am now a much more balanced, mindful and calm person who feels empowered with an armada of useful strategies and techniques to manage and regulate stressful situations in my life.”
“Dr. Scolaro is an incredibly gifted therapist who has helped me learn and practice vital CBT skills that have changed my life”
Meet Our Clinical Directors
Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D., LCSW, BCN (she/her)
Dr. Scolaro is a licensed psychologist with advanced training in exposure therapy and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, including Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), excessive worry and other anxiety related symptoms. For those seeking deeper work, she also integrates elements of psychodynamic therapy to address underlying patterns that fuel anxiety and perfectionism. She provides psychological testing to guide accurate diagnosis and personalized care plans.
Brie Scolaro, LCSW, SIFI (they)
Brie specializes in helping clients overcome fear of failure, perfectionism, and stress in high-pressure environments such as career, school, or sports. Their approach combines using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with biofeedback training to build coping skills that support lasting change. Brie also leads Aspire’s sports psychology program, working with athletes to manage anxiety and improve performance. Brie oversees our therapist matching process to ensure every client can find the right therapist for their unique needs.
Does CBT therapy really help with anxiety in NYC?
Yes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for anxiety. Our NYC therapists use CBT to reduce symptoms like worry, panic, and physical tension, while helping you build lasting coping strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer online anxiety therapy in New York?
Yes. We provide HIPAA-compliant virtual anxiety therapy sessions across New York State, New Jersey, and Delaware making it easy to access support from home or work.
How long does anxiety therapy usually take to feel better?
The length of therapy varies, but many clients start noticing improvements in 8–12 sessions when using evidence-based approaches like CBT and Exposure Therapy.
What if therapy didn’t work for my anxiety in the past?
Many people come to Aspire after trying therapy that wasn’t the right fit. Our structured, research-backed methods (CBT, ACT, and Exposure Therapy) provide practical tools that help where talk-only therapy may not have been effective.
Can therapy help with panic attacks and racing thoughts?
Absolutely. Anxiety therapy can reduce the intensity and frequency of panic attacks, calm racing thoughts, and teach you how to manage symptoms like a pounding heart, shortness of breath, or constant worry.
Can anxiety therapy help with social anxiety or perfectionism?
Yes. We regularly help clients with social anxiety, performance anxiety, and perfectionism. Our therapists support you in building confidence, reducing self-criticism, and feeling more at ease in relationships and work.
Ready for Relief? Start Anxiety Therapy in NYC Today
You don’t have to keep carrying anxiety alone. At Aspire Psychotherapy, our anxiety therapists specialize in evidence-based care like CBT and Exposure Therapy to help you break the cycle of worry, panic, and self-doubt. Real change starts with having a safe, supportive space where you can face difficult emotions and trust that someone truly knows how to help you move through them.
Taking this step isn’t just “starting therapy”—it’s choosing relief, confidence, and a future where anxiety no longer runs your life.
Fill out our quick form today, and after your New Client Intake with Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D., our Clinical Director, we’ll personally match you with the best therapist for your needs. You deserve to feel calmer, more grounded, and supported—we’re here to help you get there.
Office Locations in NYC and the Hudson Valley
We offer telehealth and hybrid therapy sessions at two locations in New York State. Reach out today to schedule your intake appointment and start seeing your therapist remotely or in-person.
Upper East Side Office - Manhattan
312 E 85th St Suite 1A, New York, NY 10028
Hudson Valley Office - Stone Ridge
Healing Arts Center, 3457 Main St Floor 2, Stone Ridge, NY 12484