
Read the Getting Started with Therapy Guide
Your step-by-step guide to beginning therapy or psychological testing at Aspire Psychotherapy in NY & NJ.
If you’re thinking about therapy or testing with us but unsure how to begin, this page walks you through everything—from your intake appointment to finding the right therapist.
Considering Individual Psychotherapy or Psychological Testing with Aspire Psychotherapy? Here is the complete getting started guide.
Not sure what you need yet? You’re in the right place. This guide is designed for people exploring therapy or testing—especially if you're in the information-gathering phase. Whether you're just curious or ready to take the first step, we’ll help you get clarity and direction.
What Services Do We Offer?
Our team works with a wide range of concerns and identities. Whether you're managing something specific or just feeling off and unsure, we’re here to support you with warmth, expertise, and personalized care. Below are some of the common areas we specialize in:
Therapy Services
Identity, Gender, and LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care
Couples and partners therapy
Explore our therapy services ->
Psychological & Neuropsychological Testing
Learning disabilities, Giftedness, and 2E (Twice Exceptionality)
School and workplace accommodations, including IEPs, MCAT/LSAT/Bar exam
Learn more about psychological testing ->
If you don't see your exact concern listed here, that’s okay. Many clients come to us with a mix of challenges or aren’t quite sure how to name what they’re feeling. We’re here to help you sort it out.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Attend a 30-Minute Intake Appointment
You’ll meet with one of our Clinical Directors—either Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D. or Brie Scolaro, LCSW and can book a therapy or testing intake online with them here. For psych testing: Please select Dr. Anya Scolaro.
During your intake appointment, we will learn more about your symptoms, goals and initial treatment plan. From there, we will thoughtfully match you with a provider on our team who is the best fit for you based on a variety of factors. Meet our team →
We understand that the client-therapist relationship is key to successful care. While we don’t offer consultations directly with your matched provider before your first session, we do encourage you to give the match a try. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, just let us know—we’ll gladly work with you to find someone better aligned.
Step 2: Begin Therapy or Testing
For therapy seekers - Once matched, you’ll begin care with your assigned therapist on a weekly basis. Your provider will continue to check in and adapt the process as you move forward, using measurement based care where relevant to make sure you are moving towards your goals.
For those seeking psychological evaluation - Once testing is complete, your psychologist will prepare a full written report and schedule a follow-up session to walk you through the results, answer questions, and offer next steps. This may include diagnoses, referrals, recommendations, or accommodations for school or work.
Feeling ready? You can book your intake appointment now—we’ll help you figure out what type of care is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know if I need therapy or testing?
If you’re unsure, that’s totally normal. Our intake appointment is designed to help you figure this out. You don’t have to know beforehand.
Do you take insurance?
We are not in-network with insurance but can provide you a superbill if you’d like to pursue out of network reimbursement. We can provide information on how to check for out-of-network reimbursement. All patients are required to keep a payment method on file.
Let us know if you’d like help checking your out-of-network reimbursement!
What is the cost of services?
The Intake Session is $175 (30 minutes - Virtual).
All patients must completed the new patient paperwork via email (~5 minutes) including a payment method on file. Once this is complete, we will email you a Zoom link to access your intake appointment.
Our prices for ongoing individual and couples/partners therapy are comparable to other clinical psychologists and therapists in New York and ranges from $150 -$450 per session. The cost per session varies based on the level of the provider you choose to work with, such as with a Senior Staff Member, an Associate Staff Member or a Student/Intern. This is discussed during the intake appointment.
Psychological testing is individually quoted based on the type of evaluation needed and the nature of the testing. Common examples include giftedness testing scores for school admissions and comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation for accommodations or diagnostic clarification.
Where are you located?
We provide services across New York and New Jersey, with in-person options in NYC and telehealth available statewide.
Can I get started if I’m not sure yet?
Yes. Our intake process is designed to help you explore your options with one of our expert clinical directors, Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D. or Brie Scolaro, LCSW.
What kind of therapy do you offer?
Our approach is grounded in evidence-based practices like CBT, ERP, ACT, DBT, and more. We also offer affirming therapy for LGBTQIA+ clients, performance coaching, and trauma-informed care.
Do you work with children and teens?
Yes, many of our clinicians specialize in therapy and testing for children and adolescents, and we often support families as a whole. In-person therapy for kids and teens is available at both our NYC and Upstate (Stone Ridge) locations.
What if I’m not happy with my therapist match?
Just let us know. Our Directors will happily revisit your intake and find another provider on our team who may be a better fit.
Can I meet my therapist before my first session?
We don’t offer pre-session introductions with your matched provider, but you’ll meet first with a Clinical Director who will guide the matching process. If the fit doesn’t feel right after your first few sessions, we’ll work with you to make a change.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re exploring therapy, considering a psychological evaluation, or just gathering information, the best place to start is with the intake appointment.