Exposure Therapy for OCD, Anxiety and Phobias in NYC & NY
Exposure therapy helps you face fears, break avoidance cycles, and retrain your brain’s response to anxiety. At Aspire, we use proven exposure-based treatments, including ERP and CBT, to treat OCD, social anxiety, phobias, and panic. Available virtually and in-person in New York.
Anxiety & OCD Specialists
Experts in CBT & ERP Therapy
Inclusive & Affirming
LGBTQIA+, Multilingual
Accessible
No Waitlist, In-Person & Virtual
Exposure Therapy in NYC and the Hudson Valley
If anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias are getting in the way of your life, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to keep struggling. At Aspire Psychotherapy, our psychologists in New York specialize in exposure therapy, a highly effective treatment that helps people reduce anxiety and regain control.
Exposure therapy in NYC works by gently and repeatedly practicing situations you might otherwise avoid — whether that’s a test, a crowded subway, or even a fear of flying. In a safe and supportive environment, an exposure therapist will guide you through different types of exposure such as:
Imaginal exposure (working through fears in your mind)
In vivo exposure (facing fears in real life)
Gradual exposure (starting small and building up)
This step-by-step process empowers you to confront your fears and experience lasting change.
We use exposure therapy for OCD and other anxiety disorders alongside approaches like CBT, dialectical behavior therapy, and commitment therapy. For OCD specifically, we also provide Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — considered the gold-standard treatment for obsessions and compulsions.
Our goal is simple: to help you reduce anxiety, find relief, and build the confidence to live more fully. With offices on the Upper East Side in Manhattan and in Stone Ridge, NY — plus telehealth across the state — we make it easier to start therapy in NYC wherever you are.
What Is Exposure Therapy (ERP) and How Does It Work?
Exposure therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety, phobias, and OCD. In this evidence-based approach, therapists help individuals gradually face feared situations or memories in a safe and supportive way. By practicing exposure to the feared thoughts, emotions, or environments, you retrain your brain’s fear response and reduce avoidance behaviors.
For those struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), we use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — considered the gold standard in OCD treatment. ERP therapy helps you resist compulsions while learning that anxiety naturally decreases over time, giving you a greater sense of calm and control.
At Aspire Psychotherapy, our exposure therapy in NYC empowers you to break free from cycles of fear and avoidance, build resilience, and move forward with more confidence in your daily life.
Types of Exposure Therapy and What They Treat
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): ERP therapy helps individuals resist compulsions and face intrusive thoughts in a safe, gradual way, leading to lasting relief.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Exposure therapy is an effective treatment for chronic worry and tension, reducing avoidance and building resilience.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Practice feared situations like public speaking or social gatherings with support, so you can regain confidence in daily life.
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB): Exposure and response prevention therapy in NYC can reduce urges and help break cycles of hair-pulling, nail-biting, or skin-picking.
Fear of Failure: Exposure to feared outcomes can help shift perfectionistic thinking, allowing you to take risks and move forward. Read more about how the brains unlearns fear.
Panic Attacks: Exposure therapy involves gradually confronting physical sensations and triggers to reduce fear of panic itself.
Specific Phobias (Fear of Flying, Public Speaking): Gradual exposure and imaginal exposure help individuals confront phobias safely and effectively.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Prolonged exposure therapy helps individuals process traumatic memories and reduce their impact over time.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): ERP therapy helps reduce compulsive checking or avoidance while creating a healthier self-image.
Perfectionism: Exposure to mistakes or imperfections can reduce high functioning anxiety and help individuals let go of rigid standards. Learn about the link between social anxiety and perfectionism.
Sports Injury & Return to Sport: Exposure therapy for athletes include gradual exposure to feared movements and situations, helping rebuild confidence, readiness to play and sharpen your mental gear.
Our Specialized Approach: CBT, ERP, and Commitment Therapy
We know the idea of facing your fears can feel overwhelming — and that’s exactly why we take a safe, step-by-step approach. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where you never have to do this alone.
At Aspire Psychotherapy, our clinicians specialize in:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure Therapy for an action-focused therapy that builds your toolkit of skills to succeed.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to solidify your values, increase motivation and take committed action towards change.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP therapy) for OCD to unpair obsessive thoughts from the anxiety-reducing rituals that come next.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRT) for situations that are hard to re-create in daily life (like flying or public speaking) or before in-person challenges.
Biofeedback Therapy to pair fear-producing situations with a calm mind and body through the use of technology.
Prolonged Exposure (PE) for trauma and PTSD
Psychological Testing to differentiate anxiety from OCD, ADHD, Autism and more. Learn about ADHD testing in NYC or routines that work for adults with ADHD.
Here’s what treatment typically includes:
Collaboration: Together, we’ll identify the situations you want to feel calmer and more confident in.
Gradual exposure: We’ll use a hierarchy, starting with the least to most anxiety-provoking challenges, so you can build confidence step by step.
Support in the moment: When anxiety rises, your therapist will guide you through coping strategies (like breathing or mindfulness) so you feel safe.
Real-world practice: Exposure therapy capitalizes on repeated exposure to the feared situations, helping your brain learn that you can handle them.
Every plan is individualized — no two therapy sessions look the same. What stays consistent is our commitment to helping you reduce anxiety, confront fears, and regain control with support at every step.
Is Exposure Therapy Right for You?
Unlike general talk therapy, exposure therapy is a highly specialized method — and not every therapist is trained to provide it. At Aspire Psychotherapy, our clinicians are trained in evidence-based exposure therapy and tailor treatment to your exact needs.
Exposure therapy isn’t just about “facing your fears.” It’s about:
Creating a personalized plan for the situations you avoid, procrastinate on, or rush through when anxiety takes over
Practicing new ways to approach feared situations with the support of a trained exposure therapist
Learning skills you can use outside of sessions so you feel prepared, not blindsided
Building step-by-step confidence through gradual exposure in a safe and supportive environment
This approach is especially effective for people struggling with intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, perfectionism, or specific phobias like fear of flying or public speaking. By working with our team, you’ll have a clear roadmap for what to do when fear shows up — and the right support to follow through.
If you’re ready to move forward, our boutique practice in NYC and the Hudson Valley can help you reduce anxiety, regain control, and create lasting change with the right kind of therapy.
Meet Our Clinical Directors
Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D. (she/her), Clinical Director
Dr. Scolaro is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director of Aspire. Her approach to therapy focuses on the intersection of LGBTQIA+ identity and anxiety, OCD and ADHD. With her extensive training in diagnosis, assessment and treatment planning, Dr. Scolaro meets with each new patient to personally match you with a clinician on our team.
Brie Scolaro, LCSW, (they/them), Co-Director
Brie Scolaro, LCSW, is a nonbinary identified clinical social worker and the Co-Director of Aspire. They specialize in action-focused, behavioral therapies for perfectionism, performance anxiety, fear of failure, executive function, ADHD and more. With extensive experience in therapy for anxiety, goal-setting and life transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of phobias is exposure therapy helpful for?
Exposure therapy is highly effective for many phobias, including fear of public speaking, fear of flying, fear of heights, animals, needles, and enclosed spaces. We create a step-by-step plan to help you confront these fears in a safe, supportive way so you can regain freedom and confidence.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. Aspire Psychotherapy provides exposure therapy online across New York State, in addition to in-person sessions at our Upper East Side (Manhattan) and Stone Ridge offices. Virtual care makes it possible to practice exposures in your own environment with real-time guidance.
How long is treatment?
Exposure therapy typically lasts 15–20 sessions on average, but the exact length depends on your goals and the severity of symptoms. During your intake and assessment, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan so you know what to expect. Many clients begin noticing progress within the first 8–16 weeks. We also use measurement-based care so you can track improvements and adjust the plan as needed.
What’s the difference between exposure therapy and ERP for OCD?
Exposure therapy is the broader method of gradually facing fears. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a specific form used for OCD that also helps you resist compulsions and rituals, making it the gold-standard treatment for OCD.
What can I expect in my first session?
Your first step is a 30-minute virtual intake ($175) with one of our Clinical Directors. We’ll learn about your concerns, answer your questions, and create a plan for matching you with the right therapist to begin exposure therapy.
Do you accept insurance?
Aspire is a boutique, self-pay practice. We do not bill insurance directly, but we provide documentation (superbills) if you’d like to submit for out-of-network reimbursement. This model allows us to offer personalized, flexible, and high-quality specialty care without the limits of insurance panels.
How to Get Started with Exposure Therapy in NYC
We’ve designed a simple, supportive process to help you start psychotherapy:
Step 1: Book Your Intake
Schedule a 30-minute virtual intake ($175) with one of our Clinical Directors. Whether you’re looking to overcome a fear of flying or perfectionism, 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 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”
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