Anxiety Therapy in NYC - Therapists Trained in Evidence-Based Methods for Anxiety Disorder
The opposite of anxious isn’t calm - it’s safety. Whether you’re struggling panic attacks, overthinking or reassurance seeking, our skilled anxiety therapists 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.
What Is Anxiety and How Anxiety Therapy Can Help You
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns, but when you’re living with it, it can feel anything but common. Anxiety isn’t just feeling stressed - it can create intense feelings that affects both your mind and body. You might notice physical symptoms of anxiety like a pounding heart, sweating, or muscle tension. Or maybe you’re stuck in your head, replaying conversations, avoiding social situations, and worrying about what could go wrong.
There are many different types of anxiety—including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias—and they often show up together. Over time, these patterns can make life feel smaller, less joyful, and harder to manage.
The good news? Treatment for anxiety can put you back in control. At Aspire, our therapists use empirically supported care like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps you understand the link between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and gives you tools to manage anxiety instead of feeling ruled by it.
Whether you’re seeking counseling for the first time or you’ve tried other approaches that didn’t stick, we’ll work together to create a plan that fits your life. With the right support, you can break the cycle and start feeling better—because you deserve more than just coping.
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.
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.
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.
Why CBT for Anxiety Works
When it comes to treatment for anxiety, not all approaches are created equal. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a research backed treatment to reduce symptoms of anxiety and create a rich, more fulfilling life.
So, what makes CBT different from traditional talk therapy? A focus on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This type of action-oriented therapy uses structured sessions to teach practical tools you can use every day. These tools help you manage anxiety, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and build coping skills that actually stick.
Many of our clients choose CBT because it’s active, goal-oriented, and designed to deliver measurable results. Whether you’re struggling with panic attacks or constant worry, cognitive behavior therapy can help you break the cycle. At Aspire, we often combine CBT with other treatments like as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD or biofeedback training for stress—so your care is completely tailored to your needs.
If you’ve tried talk therapy before and didn’t feel like it helped, we offer a more focused, actionable approach. Our anxiety counseling can be done in person or virtually, making it flexible for your lifestyle. With the right guidance, you can learn skills that reduce anxiety and give you back a sense of control over your life.
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 make the process simple, transparent, and focused on prioritizing your from the very first session.
Here’s what you can expect when you begin anxiety treatment in New York with Aspire Psychotherapy:
A Thoughtful Intake Process
Your journey begins with a 30-minute virtual intake session ($175) with one of our clinical directors. This session helps us understand your concerns—whether that’s panic attacks, social anxiety, or a constant sense of worry—so we can match you with an anxiety therapist who truly fits your needs.Personalized Sessions
Once matched, you’ll start meeting with your therapist for weekly 45-minute sessions (in person on the Upper East Side or through online across NY).Skills That Last
This isn’t just talking—our sessions are active, practical, and designed to help you manage anxiety outside of the therapy room. You’ll learn coping skills, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and practice strategies for lasting change.Ongoing Support and Progress Tracking
We use measurement-based care to monitor your growth and adjust as needed, so you know it's working for you.
How Long Does Therapy for Anxiety Take?
Everyone’s journey looks different, but many clients notice improvement within 12–20 sessions. We’ll work together to set goals that feel achievable—and make sure you’re supported every step of the way.
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 advanced 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. In addition to direct care, Brie oversees our therapist matching process to ensure every client can find the right therapist for their unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I should start psychotherapy for anxiety?
If anxiety is interfering with your sleep, relationships, work, or overall peace of mind, it might be time to get support. Common signs include constant worry, physical symptoms like tension or a racing heart, and avoiding situations because of fear. You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable—therapy can help you feel better and more in control.
What happens in the first session with a therapist?
Your first step is a 30-minute intake meeting with one of our directors. This conversation helps us learn about your concerns and match you with a therapist who’s the right fit. From there, you’ll begin 50-minute sessions focused on building practical tools to reduce anxiety and regain a sense of calm.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. We provide HIPAA-compliant telehealth appointments so you can meet with your therapist from home or work. This flexibility makes it easier to stay connected with an anxiety therapist in New York, even with a busy schedule.
What types of anxiety do you help with?
Our team works with many forms of stress and anxiety, including panic disorder, public speaking, worry that feels constant or overwhelming, work life balance, burnout, Obsessive-compulsive and related concerns (including intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors), life transitions, academic stress, and more.
Do you accept insurance?
We are an out-of-network practice, which means you pay for sessions directly and can often get partial reimbursement through your insurance plan. We’ll give you a superbill and guidance on how to check your benefits before you begin.
Will I learn coping skills to manage my symptoms or just talk to someone?
Anxiety often comes from many different places, but it always maintained in the present by challenging thoughts, emotions and behaviors that reinforce more anxiety. With our guidance, you will complete challenges in your week that help your brain unlearn patterns of worry and rumination, including a toolbox of concrete coping skills we will build together. Without action, the cycle of anxiety often continues, often worsening.
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”
Office Locations in NYC and the Hudson Valley
We provide mental health services in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Stone Ridge, NY, serving clients across NYC and New York State
Upper East Side Office - Manhattan
312 E 85th St Suite 1A, New York, NY 10028
Hudson Valley Office
Healing Arts Center, 3457 Main St Floor 2, Stone Ridge, NY 12484
Ready for Relief? Begin Evidence-Based Treatment Today
This isn’t just about starting “therapy”—it’s about finding a safe space to face difficult emotions and thoughts. It’s about allowing someone to see you when you are vulnerable, and trusting that they can help you through that process towards real change.
Take the next step towards relief. Fill out our quick form and immediately gain access to booking your intake with a senior staff member. Want to accelerate the process? You can also submit our Therapy Preferences Form to get your results even quicker.