Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy for OCD in NYC & New York
Break the cycle of intrusive thoughts, feelings or sensations and compulsive behaviors. At Aspire Psychotherapy, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold standard treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders and anxiety. Whether you're new to treatment or have tried therapy before, our ERP therapists offer expert, compassionate care.
- No wait times
- Highly trained OCD experts
- LGBTQIA+ therapists
- Neurodivergent affirmative care
What Is Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy?
Over 90% of people experience intrusive thoughts. What distinguishes OCD is the compulsive behavior that follows—checking, avoiding, ruminating, or other rituals meant to neutralize anxiety. As a result, people with OCD often find themselves spending large parts of their day and tons of energy feeling stuck, afraid and avoidant, which often takes a toll on relationships, work life, school, and your general well-being.
With repeated exposure to obsessional material, and delaying or preventing the associated ritual, your brain learns that you can tolerate the anxiety and uncertainty without needing to perform a ritual to feel better. Through our years of experience, we've seen that most clients fall into one of these core fears: (1) something bad is going to happen now, (2) something bad is going to happen in the future, (3) this unwanted feeling/sensation/experience is going to last forever, or (4) I will be abandoned. Through ERP, your psychotherapist will help you design experiments to activate these core fears and help you grow a concrete toolbox of skills to "ride the wave" of discomfort without completing the ritual.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is a powerful form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for OCD that helps people reduce these intrusive and unwanted thoughts, sensations and images and the compulsive behaviors that come next. The approach is structured around two essential components:
- Exposure: Facing anxiety-triggering situations that produce the unwanted thoughts, images or sensations.
- Response Prevention: Refraining from the compulsions or rituals that typically follow
Who Can Benefit From ERP
While ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD, it is also highly effective for people with the following symptoms:
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Intrusive thoughts and Pure O OCD
Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Perfectionism
Fear of Failure
Social Anxiety and Panic Disorder
Specific Phobias (e.g., contamination, driving, vomiting, needles)
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs): trichotillomania, dermatillomania
Relationship OCD (ROCD), harm OCD, religious OCD, and more
Why ERP Works for the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
You might wonder: "If I already feel exposed enough, how is this different?" ERP isn't about suffering through discomfort, it's about learning something new.
When we engage in compulsions, we reinforce the belief that obsessive thoughts are dangerous or need to be neutralized. We never hit our peak anxiety or intensity of tolerating that uncomfortable feeling, so we don't learn that a new pattern can exist. This often leaves people with OCD feeling insecure, out of control and hopeless that anything can change. Therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder interrupts this cycle. The effectiveness of ERP is in this retraining of thought and behavior patterns. Research shows that ERP is effective in treating OCD and is considered the most effective behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How ERP Differs from Traditional Talk Therapy
While traditional talk therapy can offer insight and emotional support, it doesn't always address the behavioral reinforcement that keeps obsessive compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) going.
For example, untrained providers may continue to fuel the problem by providing reassurance, which provides you relief in the short term but in the long term, continues the problematic behavior. We call this turn "accommodation", and our parents, siblings, partners, and even therapists can "accommodate" us. Change happens not just through talking, but through doing differently. Many clients come to us after trying therapy with an in-network provider and share they just never felt like they were getting better. And sometimes, OCRDs can go undiagnosed or unnoticed unless you work with an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist. Folks who receive ERP experience noticeable improvements quickly when they begin to incorporate the response prevention component in their daily lives.
Exposure therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety, phobias, and OCD. This evidence-based approach guides you through facing feared memories, emotions, or situations in a safe and supportive environment. Over time, it helps you break free from avoidance behaviors, retrain your brain's fear responses, and build lasting emotional resilience. For those struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), we use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard in OCD treatment. Our goal is to help you feel more empowered, in control, and ready to move forward with confidence.
What to Expect in ERP Sessions at Aspire Psychotherapy
ERP treatment can feel intimidating, but the exposure component will never push you beyond your limits. Our OCD specialists guide you step-by-step through the treatment process. Sessions typically involve:
Assessment and Planning
An assessment and planning phase, usually taking the first 2-4 sessions, to outline treatment.
Objective Measures
Measures like the Y-BOCHS and OCI-R to objectively capture OCD symptoms and current disruption to your life.
Behavioral Mapping
Behavioral mapping to understand your OCD cycle, including your obsessions, compulsions, safety behaviors, and core fears.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation about how the vicious cycle works and how to break it.
Exposure Hierarchy
Collaborative development of an exposure hierarchy, often called a "fear ladder" that guides homework and learning.
Find the right approach for your needs.
Choosing a therapist in New York can feel overwhelming. We make it easier by matching you with the right clinician, in person in NYC or online.
-
1
Book a 30-minute virtual intake ($175)
Whether you’re seeking goal-oriented therapy for anxiety or IQ testing for giftedness, your first appointment is a thoughtful intake with one of our Clinical Directors.
-
2
Share your goals
In this initial virtual assessment, you will have a chance to talk about what is bringing you to therapy, what you’d like to achieve and any questions you have.
-
3
Begin with confidence
Your Clinical Director will then provide a careful treatment recommendation. Begin your therapy journey with trust and confidence.
Leadership That Cares
All new clients first meet with one of our Clinical Directors for the New Client Intake (30 minutes - Virtual). After this session, you will be personally matched to a provider that's the best fit for your goals, therapy preferences and personality.
Dr. Anya Scolaro (she/her)
Psy.D., LCSW, BCNDr. Scolaro specializes in anxiety treatment, OCD therapy, and psychological testing, including IQ testing for giftedness, twice-exceptional (2E) and neuropsychological evaluation for ADHD, dyslexia, autism and more. She integrates Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and phobias to help clients achieve lasting change.
Focus areas- Anxiety
- OCD & ERP
- Phobias
- Psychological testing
- Giftedness & 2E
Brie Scolaro (they/them)
LCSWBrie brings expertise in anxiety therapy, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, perfectionism and performance psychology, and oversees our client matching process. Brie also offers biofeedback therapy and sports psychology for athletes and high performers.
Focus areas- Anxiety
- LGBTQIA+ care
- Perfectionism
- Biofeedback
- Sports psychology
What our clients say.
Aspire has been instrumental in helping my family. From the initial intake to further sessions, the team has been supportive, empathetic, and attentive to our family’s needs. The practice is flexible with finding appointment times that work for our challenging schedules. Dr. Scolaro, Paula, and Shunya provide excellent care in a non-judgmental fashion. I would highly recommend the practice without any reservations.
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 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.
ERP Therapy for OCD: your questions, answered.
Still wondering about something? A Clinical Director can answer it during your intake.
Book Your IntakeDo I have to jump into difficult exposures right away?
No. ERP starts with education, trust-building, and small steps. You'll collaborate with your therapist to build an exposure hierarchy that makes sense for you.
Can ERP help with internal compulsions?
Yes, exposure therapy for OCD is highly effective for individuals with Pure O or internal rituals, such as mental checking, reassurance-seeking, or rumination.
Do you accept insurance?
While we are not in-network with insurance, we are reimburseable out of network providers. We can provide you a superbill and even help you understand how to check for potential out of network reimbursement.
Is ExRP used alongside medication?
Yes, it can be used on its own or in combination with medication. We're happy to coordinate care with your prescriber.
What should I expect at the first session?
Your first session will be an intake (30 minutes - virtual) with one of our clinical directors. We will begin to collect information about your experiences and build a roadmap for treatment. You will then meet with your ongoing individual therapist, and you can expect the first 1-2 sessions to continue with the assessment and planning phase.
What if it didn't work for me before?
ERP is most effective when delivered by a therapist trained in OCD treatment. It is important to work with a therapist trained in ERP but also in diagnosis to identify OCD from anxiety, ADHD, giftedness/twice-exceptionality or other mental health symptoms. That is why Aspire is different.
In person in NYC and the Hudson Valley, or from home.
Hudson Valley
Healing Arts Center3457 Main St, Floor 2
Stone Ridge, NY 12484 View on Google Maps
Virtual sessions
Secure online therapy and intakes across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania & Delaware Start with a virtual intakeReady for a change? Begin Treatment for OCD in NYC Today
Choosing a therapist is personal—and ERP asks a lot of you. That's why you'll first meet with our Clinical Director, Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist and OCD specialist, for your New Client Intake (30 minutes - Virtual). During this appointment, we will begin to assess your symptoms and goals, match you with the best therapist on our team, and ensure the next step forward feels clear and doable.
Self-pay practice · Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement