OCD Therapy in New York
City Lights Psychology | Flatiron, Manhattan
At City Lights Psychology, we provide OCD therapy in New York for adults struggling with obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and exhausting mental loops. Through ERP therapy and deeper insight-oriented work, we help you understand your patterns and build lasting relief.
Licensed Psychologists | In-Person & Virtual Sessions | Flatiron, Manhattan
Conditions & OCD Patterns We Help Treat
Intrusive Thoughts & “Pure O” OCD
Individuals experiencing distressing intrusive thoughts that feel completely out of character, including harm, sexual, religious, or taboo thoughts. This often involves mental compulsions such as overanalyzing, reassurance-seeking, or trying to “figure out” what the thoughts mean.
High-Functioning OCD & Perfectionism
We help professionals, students, and high-achieving individuals struggling with constant doubt, pressure, overthinking, and fear of making mistakes. Many appear composed externally while internally dealing with anxiety, mental checking, and perfectionistic patterns.
Relationship OCD (ROCD)
We work with individuals experiencing ongoing uncertainty about their relationship, partner, or emotions. This may include compulsive comparison, checking feelings, seeking reassurance, or repeatedly questioning whether the relationship feels “right.”
Checking & Responsibility-Based OC
Individuals who feel excessively responsible for preventing harm, mistakes, or negative outcomes. This can involve repeated checking behaviors, reviewing conversations, retracing steps, or mentally replaying situations for certainty.
Perinatal & Parenting-Related OCD
We support parents and expecting parents experiencing intrusive thoughts, anxiety, hypervigilance, and overwhelming fears related to pregnancy, childbirth, or caring for a child.
Meet Our OCD-Focused Therapist in Flatiron, Manhattan
At City Lights Psychology, OCD therapy is provided by therapists trained in evidence-based OCD treatment, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Dr. Emma Shimony - Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Shimony specializes in anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. Her work with OCD integrates ERP with deeper insight-oriented therapy to help clients reduce compulsions, understand intrusive thoughts, and work through the fears that keep obsessive patterns going.
Credentials: Clinical Psychologist | ERP for OCD
Our Approach to OCD Therapy – Structured, Targeted, Effective
Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is the most effective treatment for OCD. At City Lights Psychology, we use ERP in a collaborative and individualized way based on each client’s symptoms, fears, and compulsive patterns.
We focus on:
- Identifying your specific OCD cycle
- Targeting subtle compulsions, especially mental ones
- Designing exposures based on your core fear mechanism
- Helping you tolerate uncertainty without relying on compulsions
Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy (CBT-Based)
We help you understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact, and how compulsions reinforce the cycle.
Insight-Oriented & Psychodynamic Work
For many clients, OCD can also connect to deeper patterns involving control, responsibility, relationships, or identity. We explore these themes to support deeper insight and long-term change.
In-Person & Virtual OCD Therapy Options
In-Person Therapy in Flatiron, Manhattan
Visit our office in Flatiron for structured, focused sessions in a private clinical setting.
Virtual Therapy Across Multiple States
Secure telehealth sessions available across: New York | New Jersey | Connecticut | Florida. Virtual therapy is ideal for professionals, parents, and individuals with demanding schedules.
Insurance & Payment Information
City Lights Psychology is primarily an out-of-network provider. This means sessions are paid for directly, and you may be eligible for reimbursement depending on your insurance plan.
We provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network benefits. We recommend contacting your provider to understand your coverage, reimbursement rates, and deductible.
We also accept HSA/FSA payments and standard payment methods, which can be set up during your intake process.
The Core Drivers We See in OCD Clients
Across cases, certain patterns consistently emerge:
1. Inflated sense of responsibility
A belief that you must prevent harm, mistakes, or negative outcomes at all costs
2. Intolerance of uncertainty
Difficulty allowing something to remain unresolved or unknown
3. Over-importance of thoughts
Interpreting thoughts as meaningful, dangerous, or reflective of who you are
4. Need for internal certainty before action
Feeling unable to move forward unless something feels completely right
These are learned patterns, not personality flaws, and they are highly treatable with the right approach.
Ready to Start OCD Therapy?
If you feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, doubt, or compulsive behavior, therapy can help you step out of that pattern.
We’ll help you understand what’s happening and guide you through a structured process to change it.
Questions?
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
How do I know if what I’m experiencing is actually OCD?
Many people seek OCD therapy because they feel stuck in repetitive thought patterns, reassurance-seeking, checking behaviors, or mental reviewing that feels difficult to stop. During the consultation and intake process, we assess whether OCD may be contributing to these patterns.
What if my compulsions are mostly mental and not visible?
Many individuals with OCD experience primarily mental compulsions such as rumination, analyzing, replaying conversations, or seeking certainty internally. These patterns are a major focus in treatment.
Will I be forced to do exposures before I feel ready?
No. ERP therapy is collaborative and gradual. Exposure work is introduced carefully based on your symptoms, fears, and readiness, with the goal of helping you build tolerance for uncertainty without feeling overwhelmed.
Can therapy help if my OCD focuses on relationships, morality, or identity?
Yes. OCD can center around relationships, guilt, morality, sexuality, religion, or identity-related fears. Treatment focuses on changing the compulsive cycle rather than judging the content of thoughts.
Can virtual OCD therapy still be effective?
Yes. ERP and OCD-focused therapy can be highly effective through telehealth, especially because treatment can often be practiced directly within real-life situations and environments.
Do you work with high-functioning professionals and perfectionism?
Yes. Many clients are professionals, students, or high-achieving individuals whose OCD presents through overthinking, perfectionism, reassurance-seeking, or difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
Still Have Questions?
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