Telehealth and In-person in Flatiron, Manhattan
Anxiety, OCD & Perfectionism
At City Lights Psychology, we help individuals overcome the exhausting mental loops of anxiety, perfectionism, OCD, and panic attacks. Located in Flatiron, Manhattan, we offer therapy for clients who appear “high-functioning” on the outside but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or out of control internally. Whether you’re managing intrusive thoughts, chasing impossible standards, or dealing with the sudden terror of panic, we provide specialized, compassionate care grounded in evidence-based approaches.
Our Anxiety, OCD & Perfectionism Services:
Generalized Anxiety
Support for persistent, overwhelming worry, panic and stress about everyday life.
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Anxiety can create constant worry, fear, panic, and restlessness. We help you understand your triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and use evidence-based techniques to calm your anxious thoughts and regain control over your life.
Perfectionism & High Achievement Stress
Navigating the never-ending cycle around Fear of failure, burnout, or never feeling “enough.”
We guide you in setting healthier expectations, boundaries, and reclaiming self-worth. We help you identify your primary values and live a more balanced life that is in-line with these values rather than the rigid expectations you've held on for so long.
Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders
Identifying and challenging disturbing intrusive thoughts and time-consuming rituals.
We offer ERP for OCD with a specialized therapist to reduce compulsions and shame while incorporating psychodynamic principles to get at the roots of your fears/concerns.
Body Image Anxieties
Explore the roots of body image anxieties in a safe, supportive environment.
Through evidence-based approaches, we help you build self-compassion, challenge harmful beliefs, and reconnect with your body in healthier ways. We foster a space where sharing your experiences leads to healing, resilience, and a more accepting relationship with one’s self-image.
Perinatal Anxiety & OCD
Managing intrusive thoughts and perfectionistic fears around pregnancy, birth/delivery, your child, and parenting.
Welcoming a human being into the world can be an overwhelming experience. We offer specialized support for parents navigating anxiety, OCD and identity shifts.
Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder
Support for overcoming panic attacks and managing anxiety-related symptoms.
Panic attacks can be overwhelming, but with the right tools and strategies, you can regain control. Our therapists help you understand the root causes of your panic, develop grounding techniques, and reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks.
Relationship and Reassurance-Seeking Anxiety
Help with managing and understanding the constant doubts about your partner, friendships, or yourself.
We help you manage uncertainty without compulsive overanalyzing. We help you understand how attachment to primary caregivers informs the way you show up in current relationships. We help you heal from old attachment wounds and changes the way you relate to others.
Stress Management
Techniques to manage and reduce stress in daily life.
Stress can feel like a constant burden, affecting your emotional well-being. We offer practical tools and strategies to help you reduce stress, build emotional resilience, and improve your ability to cope with the pressures of daily life.
Our Therapeutic Modalities
We offer an integrative approach of several therapeutic modalities:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, often stemming from childhood experiences, that influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
Gradually face your fears with exposures while resisting the urge to perform compulsive behaviors to break the cycle of obsessions and compulsions, especially for OCD.
CBT/DBT/ACT
Learn skills to regulate emotions, accept difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment, and commit to actions that align with your personal values.
Understanding Anxiety, OCD, and Perfectionism
​Anxiety and OCD can be isolating—and perfectionism often masks them. You might look like you have it all together, but inside, your mind feels like it’s always running: scanning for danger, double-checking every decision, or replaying conversations. Panic attacks can feel like they come out of nowhere, leaving you afraid it’ll happen again. And intrusive thoughts—especially those tied to OCD—can feel terrifying or shameful, even if you know they don’t reflect who you really are.
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At City Lights Psychology, we treat anxiety not just as a set of symptoms, but as a survival strategy your nervous system developed. Our therapy combines CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), mindfulness, and relational approaches to help you understand what drives your anxiety—and how to change your relationship to it. Whether you're navigating professional pressure, new parenthood, or complex family expectations, we create a space where you can let go of perfection and learn to trust yourself again.
We Help Individuals Who Are...
Experiencing daily anxiety, dread, or overthinking
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Having panic attacks or fear of losing control
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Engaging in mental or physical compulsions (checking, counting, reassurance)
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Obsessed with doing things “right” or avoiding mistakes
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Struggling with intrusive thoughts (sexual, violent, harm-related, etc.)
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Navigating anxiety around parenting, pregnancy, or postpartum
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Burnt out from trying to meet impossible standards
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Ready to stop over-functioning and start healing
What You Can Expect:
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A personalized therapy plan that addresses both surface symptoms and root causes
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Tools to calm your nervous system and regulate panic, worry, and compulsive thought cycles
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ERP-informed care for OCD and intrusive thoughts, delivered with warmth and safety
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Support in setting healthier boundaries with perfectionism and overachievement
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Exploration of how anxiety shows up in your relationships, parenting, or work life
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Real-time strategies for interrupting spirals, overthinking, and compulsive reassurance-seeking
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A therapist who can sit with both the fear and the desire for change—without pushing or pathologizing
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Sessions available in Flatiron, Manhattan or securely online for NY/NJ/CT/FL/PSYPACT patients
Why Choose Us:
Our team of doctoral-level psychotherapists offer personalized care, helping you regain control over your emotions and life. We provide:
A Safe &
Welcoming Space
Whether you’re working through trauma or simply feeling overwhelmed, we offer a judgment-free environment.
Flexible
Care Options
Choose between in-person sessions in our Flatiron location or Telehealth appointments.
Evidence-Based Treatments
We draw on research-supported therapies to deliver effective and meaningful care.
How to Get Started
Step 1:
Book Your Free 30-Minute Consultation Call
The first step in starting your therapy journey is to book a free 30-minute consultation call with one of our psychologists. During this call, we’ll discuss what’s bringing you to therapy and help determine if one of our therapists is the right fit for you. If we don't have a match, we'll provide you with trusted external referrals.
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Please note: We are an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies except UMR-Top Tier, meaning you'll pay for sessions out of pocket and can seek reimbursement from your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits.
Step 2:
Schedule Your
First Session
Once you’ve found the right fit, we’ll schedule your first session to dive deeper into your anxiety or depression. Together, we’ll explore your emotional challenges and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Step 3:
Begin Your
Therapeutic Process
In your first session, we’ll focus on understanding the root causes of your anxiety or depression. Your therapist will help you develop coping strategies and work toward emotional healing. You’ll gain insight into your feelings and begin to build a foundation for emotional well-being.