1. Behavioral Health of New York (BHNY)
Credentials: Practice founded and directed by Mitchell S. Levy, PhD. Staff includes PhD-level licensed clinical psychologists and PsyD-level clinicians.
Specialization: Anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, ADHD (adult and child), relationship issues, childhood trauma, social anxiety, panic attacks, job stress.
Therapy Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), mindfulness techniques, couples therapy (including Emotionally Focused Therapy), Virtual Reality Therapy, psychodynamic principles.
Populations Served: Adults, adolescents, children, couples, male clients seeking therapy. The practice has a noted specialty in serving male clients who may feel more comfortable working with male therapists.
Background: Dr. Mitchell Levy trained at University of Pennsylvania, Claremont Graduate School, and Fordham University. He worked with Dr. Aaron Beck, founder of cognitive therapy. The practice includes clinicians who are adjunct faculty at Columbia University Teachers College, Pace University, and Yeshiva University. Languages include English and Spanish.
Insurance Accepted: Out-of-network provider. Superbills provided for PPO insurance reimbursement. Specific insurance acceptance should be confirmed directly with the practice.
Session Format: In-person sessions in Manhattan office. Telehealth available for clients throughout New York State.
Location: 125 E. 84th Street, Suite 1C, New York, NY 10028 (Upper East Side)
Contact: (212) 722-3434 | https://behaviorhealthny.com
Initial Consultation: Professional initial consultation conducted by practice director Dr. Mitchell Levy to determine optimum therapeutic modality and best-fit clinician. Contact practice for scheduling and fee information.
2. Dr. Ellen I. Carni, PhD
Credentials: PhD, Licensed Psychologist in New York State. EMDR Institute certified. Trained with Laurel Parnell of the Parnell Institute.
Specialization: Trauma and PTSD treatment, grief and bereavement counseling, toxic mother/parent relationships, young adult life transitions, lawyer stress therapy, performance anxiety.
Therapy Approaches: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), insight-oriented psychotherapy, psychodynamic therapy. EMDR certification through the EMDR Institute with ongoing advanced training.
Populations Served: Adults, particularly those dealing with trauma (single event or cumulative), creative professionals, lawyers experiencing occupational stress, individuals navigating difficult family relationships, young adults in transition.
Background: Trained with the EMDR Institute early in her career after recognizing the method’s potential to help individuals when talk therapy alone is insufficient. Continues to update training and has worked alongside experts including Laurel Parnell of the Parnell Institute.
Insurance Accepted: Out-of-network provider. Services may be covered in full or in part by health insurance or employee benefit plans. Clients should check their out-patient mental health insurance benefits.
Session Format: Both in-person sessions and Zoom consultations available. Office serves clients throughout Manhattan and surrounding areas.
Location: 20 W 86th Street, Suite 1B, New York, NY 10024 (Upper West Side)
Contact: (646) 620-9940 | https://www.drellencarni.com
Initial Consultation: Free 15-minute consultation available. Can be scheduled through the website contact form.
3. CBT/EMDR Therapy Associates of New York
Credentials: Practice comprised of licensed clinical psychologists and licensed mental health professionals trained in evidence-based approaches.
Specialization: Anxiety disorders, trauma and PTSD, relationship issues, sexual health and intimacy concerns, sleep and concentration problems, depression.
Therapy Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The practice emphasizes structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed for lasting change.
Populations Served: Adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and sexual health concerns. Clients seeking practical, goal-oriented therapy in the Manhattan area.
Background: The practice combines clinical expertise with authentic connection. Clinicians bring experience from various clinical settings and training backgrounds. The practice prioritizes clinical excellence and genuine therapeutic relationships.
Insurance Accepted: Contact practice directly for insurance information and fee structure.
Session Format: In-person sessions at Manhattan office and secure video visits for clients throughout New York State.
Location: Manhattan office (specific address provided upon inquiry)
Contact: https://www.cbtemdrassociates.com
Initial Consultation: Free phone consultation available. Click through website to request consultation appointment.
4. Soho Integrative EMDR
Credentials: Clinical Psychologists including Rebecca Hoffenberg, PhD; Laura Faiwiszewski, PhD; Irada Yunusova, PhD; Leora Citrin, PhD; Ami Zala, PhD; Andrew Curreri, PhD; Jamie Diamond, PhD.
Specialization: Trauma therapy and PTSD, childhood trauma, complex trauma patterns, anxiety disorders, OCD, perfectionism and overachievement issues, people-pleasing and codependency, emotional dysregulation.
Therapy Approaches: EMDR therapy (advanced integrative approach), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, hypnotherapy, deep psychodynamic therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The practice integrates multiple modalities to address both trauma symptoms and underlying patterns.
Populations Served: Adults, children, and teenagers experiencing trauma, anxiety, OCD, and related challenges. Specialists work with individuals dealing with perfectionism, codependency, chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional outbursts connected to unprocessed trauma.
Background: The team consists of clinical psychologists with extensive specialized training in EMDR therapy and trauma treatment. Clinicians have expertise in integrating EMDR with complementary approaches for comprehensive treatment. Focus on dismantling deeply ingrained trauma patterns.
Insurance Accepted: Contact practice for insurance and fee information.
Session Format: Both in-person and virtual sessions available. Practice is located in New York, NY.
Location: Soho area, New York, NY (specific address provided upon inquiry)
Contact: https://www.sohointegrativeemdr.com
Initial Consultation: Contact through website to schedule initial consultation and discuss treatment needs.
5. Dr. Claudia Diez, PhD, ABPP
Credentials: PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist in New York (License #017761) and Connecticut (License #4486). Board Certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Specialization: Couples therapy, individual therapy, psychedelic science and integration, transpersonal psychology. MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) trained MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapist.
Therapy Approaches: Relational Life Therapy (RLT) model (certified coach), depth psychology, transpersonal psychology, mindfulness integration, psychedelic integration and facilitation. Trained in Harvard’s Program on Negotiation.
Populations Served: Adults seeking individual therapy, couples, professional dyads and co-founders (relational coaching). Individuals interested in psychedelics integration to deepen connection or self-knowledge.
Background: Board certified clinical psychologist with faculty position at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Certified in Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy Model. MAPS trained MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapist and Legacy Supporter. Sound meditation practitioner. Extensive experience integrating spiritual and transcendent elements into psychotherapy.
Insurance Accepted: Private pay practice. Contact directly for fee structure and payment options.
Session Format: Private practice offering both in-person and virtual consultations. Serves clients seeking depth-oriented therapy.
Location: New York City (contact for specific address)
Contact: https://www.drclaudiadiez.com
Initial Consultation: Contact through website to schedule consultation and discuss treatment approach.
Mental Health Industry in New York
Average Therapy Session Costs
Individual therapy sessions in New York City range from $150 to $400 per session, depending on the provider’s credentials and experience. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) typically charge $150 to $250 per session. Clinical Psychologists with doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) generally charge $250 to $400 per session. Psychiatrists may charge $300 to $500 for sessions that include medication management. Couples therapy sessions typically range from $200 to $450. Group therapy sessions are more affordable, generally ranging from $50 to $100 per session.
State Licensing Requirements for Psychologists
To practice as a licensed psychologist in New York State, professionals must complete a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an approved psychology program. Candidates must accumulate 3,500 hours of supervised professional experience (approximately two years of full-time work). The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) must be passed with a minimum score of 500. New York requires 36 hours of continuing education every three years to maintain licensure. Child abuse identification training is mandatory. The New York State Education Department Office of the Professions administers psychology licensure.
Telehealth Regulations
New York State permits licensed psychologists to provide telehealth services to clients located within the state. The COVID-19 pandemic led to expanded telehealth permissions, many of which have been extended. New York participates in PSYPACT (Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact), allowing licensed psychologists with E.Passport credentials to practice telepsychology across member states. Providers must ensure HIPAA-compliant platforms and obtain informed consent specific to telehealth services.
Mental Health Parity Laws
New York’s Timothy’s Law requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for mental health conditions on par with physical health conditions. The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) applies to group health plans, prohibiting more restrictive limitations on mental health benefits compared to medical/surgical benefits. New York has additional consumer protections requiring insurers to maintain adequate provider networks for mental health services.
Professional Organizations
The New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA) represents practicing psychologists, offering professional resources, networking programs, advocacy, and a career center. The New York City Cognitive Behavior Therapy Association provides resources for CBT practitioners. The Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) maintains a national presence with significant membership in New York.
Workforce Availability and Wait Times
New York State has over 13,000 licensed psychologists, with a significant concentration in New York City. Despite this density, wait times for new patients can range from two weeks to several months depending on the provider, specialty, and insurance acceptance. Providers accepting Medicaid often have longer wait lists. The demand for mental health services has increased substantially since 2020.
Common Mental Health Concerns
In the New York City region, commonly treated conditions include anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), depression, trauma and PTSD, OCD, relationship difficulties, work-related stress and burnout, adjustment disorders related to life transitions, and substance use concerns.
State-Funded Mental Health Resources
NYC Well provides free, confidential mental health support 24/7 via phone (1-888-NYC-WELL), text (text WELL to 65173), or chat. The New York State Office of Mental Health oversees public mental health facilities throughout the state. Community mental health centers operate in all five boroughs providing sliding-scale services. NYC Health + Hospitals operates behavioral health services at multiple locations citywide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect to pay for therapy in Manhattan without insurance?
Private pay rates in Manhattan typically range from $175 to $350 per 45-50 minute session with a licensed clinical social worker or mental health counselor. Sessions with doctoral-level psychologists (PhD or PsyD) generally cost between $250 and $400. Many therapists offer sliding scale fees based on income. Initial consultations may be offered free or at a reduced rate.
How do I verify that a psychologist is licensed in New York?
The New York State Education Department maintains an online license verification system at www.op.nysed.gov where you can search by name or license number. This database shows current license status, registration expiration, and any disciplinary actions. All practicing psychologists must display their license number and keep their registration current.
Can I see a therapist virtually if I live outside New York City but within New York State?
Yes, New York licensed psychologists and therapists can provide telehealth services to clients located anywhere within New York State. If you live outside New York, your provider must either hold a license in your state or practice under PSYPACT provisions if both states are members. Many New York practices expanded virtual service availability and continue to offer this option.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist in New York?
Psychologists hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) in psychology and are trained in psychological assessment and psychotherapy. In New York, psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who completed residency training in psychiatry and can prescribe medication. Many patients see both a psychologist for therapy and a psychiatrist for medication management when needed.
How long does it typically take to get an appointment with a new therapist in NYC?
Wait times vary significantly based on the provider, specialty needed, and insurance status. Private pay clients may find appointments within one to two weeks with many providers. Those using insurance, particularly Medicaid or certain managed care plans, may experience wait times of four to twelve weeks. Specialized services such as trauma therapy or OCD treatment may have longer wait times due to higher demand for trained specialists.