Anxiety Therapy in NYC
Evidence-based treatment for anxiety, OCD, panic, and social anxiety using ACT and EMDR. Therapy that actually helps—especially if you're neurodivergent.
The anxiety is exhausting. Constant worry. Racing thoughts. Physical tension. Avoiding situations that trigger panic. Second-guessing every social interaction. Checking, counting, or repeating things just to feel okay.
You've tried to "just relax." You've tried breathing exercises. Maybe you've even tried therapy before—but it didn't quite fit.
Here's what you need: Anxiety treatment that actually works.
We specialize in anxiety therapy in Manhattan and throughout New York—using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and EMDR. Our approach works for everyone, and we have particular expertise with anxiety in autistic and ADHD individuals.
Who This Is For
We Treat All Forms of Anxiety:
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Chronic worry, "what if" thinking, difficulty controlling anxious thoughts
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Social Anxiety – Fear of judgment, avoiding social situations, difficulty with social rules
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Panic Disorder – Sudden panic attacks, fear of having another attack
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Intrusive thoughts, compulsions (checking, counting, washing), mental rituals
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Health Anxiety – Constant worry about illness, checking body sensations
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Performance Anxiety – Test anxiety, presentations, imposter syndrome, perfectionism
Anxiety in Neurodivergent Individuals:
Anxiety looks different—and often feels more intense—when you're autistic or have ADHD:
Autistic Anxiety
Sensory overwhelm, social confusion, fear of change, masking creates chronic anxiety and burnout
ADHD Anxiety
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (intense emotional pain from criticism), chronic anxiety from disorganization, executive function overwhelm
Most anxiety therapists don't understand how autism or ADHD affects anxiety. We do. Our treatment addresses anxiety while working WITH your neurodivergent brain, not against it.
Our Approach to Anxiety Treatment
Evidence-Based Approaches That Work:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is our primary approach for anxiety. It's particularly effective because it:
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Accepts anxiety instead of fighting it – Paradoxically, acceptance reduces anxiety's power
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Defuses from anxious thoughts – "I'm having the thought that something bad will happen" (not "Something bad WILL happen"
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Focuses on values, not symptom elimination – Live according to what matters even when anxiety shows up
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Builds psychological flexibility – Be present, open, and engaged despite anxiety
ACT has strong research support for all types of anxiety and works for everyone. It's especially effective for neurodivergent individuals because it doesn't try to make you think "normally"—it honors different ways of thinking while reducing suffering.
Exposure-Based Work (Within ACT Framework)
For OCD, social anxiety, and phobias: Gradual, values-driven exposure and response prevention—not forced or traumatizing
Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies (CBT)
Practical anxiety management tools: identifying anxious thought patterns, challenging catastrophic thinking, grounding techniques, and coping strategies. For neurodivergent individuals, we adapt CBT to work with autistic thinking patterns and ADHD executive function challenges.
What Happens After Evaluation
Already Evaluated with HMV Psychology?
If you or your child was evaluated with us, we already understand whether anxiety is primary or secondary to autism/ADHD, and whether sensory issues, social confusion, or executive function challenges are contributing. Therapy targets the root causes based on evaluation results.
No Evaluation Needed?
You can start anxiety therapy without a neuropsychological evaluation. However, if we suspect undiagnosed autism or ADHD is contributing to your anxiety, we may recommend evaluation. Sometimes what looks like pure anxiety is actually sensory overwhelm, executive function overload, or social processing differences—and treatment is more effective when we address the root cause.
Why Choose HMV Psychology for Anxiety Therapy
Evidence-Based Treatment for Everyone
ACT and EMDR are proven approaches with strong research support—they work for all types of anxiety
Specialized Expertise in Neurodivergent Anxiety
We understand how anxiety presents differently in autistic and ADHD individuals—not just generic anxiety treatment
Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
We don't pathologize autistic or ADHD traits. We address anxiety while honoring neurodivergent identity.
Convenient Options
One block from Central Park with flexible in-person, telehealth, or outdoor walk-and-talk sessions.
Common Questions
Do I need to be neurodivergent to work with you? No! We treat anxiety in all individuals. Our neurodivergent specialization means we're especially skilled at complex presentations, but ACT works for everyone.
Can anxiety therapy work without medication? Yes! Many people manage anxiety with therapy alone. Others combine therapy with medication. We work with whatever you choose.
How is ACT different from regular CBT for anxiety? CBT focuses on changing or eliminating anxious thoughts. ACT focuses on changing your relationship with anxiety—accepting it, defusing from it, and living according to values despite it. Many people who didn't respond to CBT find ACT more effective.