Meet Our Therapists | NYC + Hudson Valley

At Aspire Psychotherapy, we believe that the right therapist makes all the difference. Whether you're seeking Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, LGBTQIA+ care, or couples therapy, our team is here for you. We offer therapy in-person at our Upper East Side and Hudson Valley offices and virtually across New York and NJ

At the Intake Appointment, Dr. Scolaro will match you to one of our clinical therapists below. Have a preference? Let her know in your first meeting!

Portrait of Dr. Anya Scolaro, Clinical Psychologist and Co-Director of Aspire Psychotherapy in NYC and Upstate NY.

Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D., LCSW, BCN

Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D., LCSW, BCN is a licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Director at Aspire Psychotherapy. She provides affirming therapy and psychological testing for children, teens, adults, and couples. Dr. Scolaro specializes in anxiety, OCD, ADHD, LGBTQIA+ mental health, neurodivergent care, and relational issues — offering CBT, ERP, ACT, and trauma-informed support with warmth and clarity.

  • Dr. Anya Scolaro brings over a decade of experience providing evidence-based therapy and psychological testing in New York City. As Clinical Director and Co-Founder of Aspire Psychotherapy, she supports clients across the lifespan — including children, teens, adults, and families — through a warm, collaborative, and practical approach to mental wellness.

    Dr. Scolaro works with individuals experiencing anxiety, OCD, ADHD, neurodivergence, identity-related stress, and complex life transitions. She uses proven therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and DBT-informed strategies to help clients reduce distress, build emotional resilience, and thrive in relationships and daily life.

    In addition to therapy, she is a leading provider of comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological evaluations — helping clarify concerns like Autism, Twice Exceptionality (2E), giftedness, learning differences, and overlapping diagnoses. Her feedback is direct, compassionate, and tailored to support educational and emotional success.

    Dr. Scolaro also conducts initial intake consultations for new therapy clients at Aspire. In this first session, she helps clients articulate their goals and matches them with the right therapist based on clinical needs and personal fit.

    Areas of Expertise:
    – Anxiety, OCD, BFRBS, and phobias
    – ADHD, Autism, Giftedness, 2E
    – LGBTQIA+ and gender-affirming therapy
    – Relationship and family challenges
    – Psychological testing & diagnostic clarity

    Therapy modalities

    ERP · CBT · ACT · DBT · EFT · TF-CBT · Psychodynamic · Grief Therapy · Virtual Reality Exposure · PMT

  • Dr. Scolaro holds a Psy.D. from LIU Post, an MSW from Columbia University, and an MA from City College of New York. Her experience spans outpatient, hospital, academic, and community-based settings. She is a member of the IOCDF and WPATH, with ongoing advocacy for LGBTQIA+ clinical training and identity-informed therapy.

Portrait of Brie Scolaro, LCSW, Therapist and Co-Director of Aspire Psychotherapy, serving clients across New York and New Jersey.

Brie Scolaro, LCSW

Director, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Brie Scolaro, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and Co-Director of Aspire Psychotherapy. They provide affirming therapy and performance-focused coaching for adults and teens navigating anxiety, OCD, burnout, ADHD, identity exploration, and relationship stress. Known for their warm but direct style, Brie integrates CBT, ACT, and biofeedback to help high-achieving individuals — including athletes and professionals — regain clarity, confidence, and momentum.

  • Brie Scolaro, LCSW is Co-Director of Aspire Psychotherapy and a licensed therapist specializing in structured, results-driven care for individuals navigating anxiety, OCD, identity exploration, perfectionism, and high-performance stress. Their work blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and biofeedback to help clients build emotional resilience, clarify goals, and make meaningful changes in their lives.

    Brie works with teens, adults, and professionals across a wide spectrum of needs — from managing social anxiety or imposter syndrome, to navigating life transitions, to exploring gender identity or improving relationships. Their clients include athletes, creatives, entrepreneurs, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people seeking deeper purpose and connection in high-pressure environments.

    Known for their emotionally grounded yet action-oriented approach, Brie offers therapy and coaching that includes weekly tools, structure, and progress tracking. They are certified in HeartMath biofeedback (including trauma-sensitive applications) and often integrate mindfulness and nervous system regulation techniques to support focus, recovery, and emotional flexibility.

    As an Intake Clinician, Brie also conducts first sessions with new clients. In this meeting, they’ll get to know your goals, style, and preferences, and thoughtfully match you with the best-fit clinician on the Aspire team.

    Areas of Expertise

    – Anxiety, OCD, panic, and social anxiety
    – LGBTQIA+ identity, gender affirmation, & neurodivergence
    – High-achievers, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, burnout
    – Relationship & communication support
    – Performance & mindset coaching (athletes, creatives, professionals)
    – ADHD and emotional regulation strategies

    Modalities

    CBT · ACT · ERP · Schema Therapy · MBSR · Biofeedback · Peak Performance · Sports Psychology · Couples/Relational Work · Psychodynamic · Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

  • Brie earned their MSW from Columbia University and is SIFI- and HeartMath-certified. They are a Ph.D. candidate in Social Welfare at The Graduate Center, CUNY, where their research focuses on LGBTQIA+ resilience in affirming sports environments. In addition to clinical work, they teach at Hunter College, mentor MSW students, and frequently lecture on ADHD, LGBTQIA+ mental health, and building values-driven therapy practices.

Paula Carrizosa, LMSW, LSW, Licensed Social Worker, Psychotherapist in NY NJ

Paula Carrizosa, LMSW, LSW

Psychotherapist, Licensed Master Social Worker

Paula Carrizosa, LMSW is a licensed psychotherapist at Aspire Psychotherapy who provides affirming therapy for teens, adults, and couples in both English and Spanish. She specializes in trauma recovery, anxiety, OCD, identity exploration, and LGBTQIA+ mental health. Paula offers a steady, collaborative space where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow — especially those navigating systemic stress, relationship challenges, or healing from trauma.

  • Paula Carrizosa, LMSW is a psychotherapist at Aspire Psychotherapy who supports teens, adults, and partners through anxiety, trauma, depression, identity stress, and relational challenges. Her therapy space is warm, emotionally safe, and deeply affirming — shaped by compassion, nonjudgment, and cultural humility.

    Paula brings expertise in treating trauma, OCD, anxiety disorders, emotion dysregulation, and life transitions, and specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ clients, survivors, immigrants, and those navigating systemic oppression. She is especially attuned to the unique needs of individuals who hold intersecting marginalized identities and is committed to providing anti-oppressive, liberation-oriented care.

    Her clinical approach integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) for trauma, alongside somatic and mindfulness-based strategies. She is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1) and offers relationship therapy for all configurations, including polyamorous and CNM partnerships.

    Paula offers therapy in both English and Spanish, and clients describe her as calm, grounding, and empowering — someone who helps them access deeper self-understanding and lasting emotional change.

    Areas of Focus:
    – Trauma, PTSD, and complex trauma (C-PTSD)
    – Anxiety, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
    – LGBTQIA+ mental health and gender affirmation
    – Emotion regulation and self-trust
    – Depression and major life transitions
    – Relationship therapy (monogamous, poly, and CNM)
    – Systemic stress, immigration, and identity-based oppression

    Therapy Approaches:
    DBT · CBT · ERP · Prolonged Exposure · Somatic Practices · Gottman Method (Level 1) · Motivational Interviewing · Mindfulness-Based Therapy

    Professional Background:
    Paula holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, where she completed intensive training in DBT. She earned her BA from UC Berkeley and has provided therapy and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ communities, refugees, survivors, sex workers, and system-impacted individuals. Her practice is grounded in a belief that healing is political, personal, and possible.

Portrait of Shunya Wang, Mental Health Counselor at Aspire Psychotherapy, providing therapy in English and Mandarin across New York.

Shunya Wang, LMSW

Shunya Wang, LMSW is a licensed psychotherapist at Aspire Psychotherapy who provides culturally responsive therapy in English and Mandarin. She specializes in anxiety, ADHD, executive functioning, disordered eating, and identity-related stress — offering compassionate, evidence-based care for teens, adults, and couples. Shunya helps clients move toward greater emotional clarity, self-trust, and meaningful change by blending CBT, mindfulness, and somatic strategies with deep cultural attunement.

  • Shunya Wang, LMSW is a highly skilled therapist who provides individual and couples therapy in both Mandarin and English, supporting clients across a wide range of emotional, relational, and identity-based concerns. Her work centers on anxiety, ADHD, executive dysfunction, depression, eating and body image challenges, and relationship stress — with a focus on cultural humility, emotional regulation, and long-term change.

    Shunya creates a calm, structured space for growth — integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), and CBT-E (for eating disorders) alongside mindfulness, somatic, and motivational approaches. Her work is developmentally attuned, culturally responsive, and rooted in the belief that therapy should be both supportive and skill-building.

    Clients often describe Shunya as gentle yet practical, combining emotional insight with tools that foster sustainable progress. Whether you’re navigating stress around school, work, relationships, cultural identity, or self-worth, she helps you deepen self-understanding while building tools to move forward with confidence and compassion.

    Shunya is also experienced in working with immigrants, first-generation clients, and international students, and brings a globally informed, anti-oppressive lens to every session.

    Areas of Focus:
    – Anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and panic
    – ADHD, executive functioning, and motivation
    – Disordered eating, body image, and food-related distress
    – Culturally responsive therapy and bicultural identity
    – Relationship therapy for individuals and couples
    – Life transitions, self-esteem, and personal growth
    – Therapy in Mandarin and English

    Therapy Approaches:
    CBT · TF-CBT · CBT-E · Motivational Interviewing · Mindfulness · Somatic & Nervous System Regulation

    Professional Background:
    Shunya earned her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and holds a BA from Syracuse University. Her diverse experience includes working in schools, hospitals, and private practice settings. She is deeply committed to helping clients build healthier, more self-compassionate relationships with themselves and others — guided by curiosity, cultural attunement, and the belief that healing is always possible.

Portrait of Tara Waldman, Licensed Therapist at Aspire Psychotherapy, specializing in anxiety and identity-focused therapy in New York.

Tara Waldman, LMSW, LSW

Tara Waldman, LMSW is a licensed psychotherapist at Aspire Psychotherapy who specializes in relationship therapy, communication skills, and anxiety treatment for teens, adults, and couples. With a background in both psychotherapy and the NYC corporate world, Tara helps clients build confidence, reduce perfectionism, and navigate major life transitions — from college to career changes to relationship growth — with clarity, emotional insight, and actionable tools.

  • Tara Waldman, LMSW is a licensed therapist at Aspire Psychotherapy who works with teens, college students, adults, and couples to improve communication, reduce anxiety, and navigate transitions with greater self-confidence and emotional clarity. Her clinical focus includes assertiveness training, perfectionism, identity development, and relationship support — all grounded in a warm, collaborative, and practical approach.

    As a relationship and communication specialist, Tara provides individual therapy and couples counseling for those facing conflict avoidance, emotional distance, or difficulty expressing needs and boundaries. She works with monogamous and non-traditional partnerships and is passionate about helping clients build deeper connection, mutual respect, and emotional resilience in their closest relationships.

    Tara is also especially attuned to the unique stressors faced by college students, young professionals, and career changers — including performance anxiety, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the fear of making the “wrong” life choice. She brings humor, humility, and lived experience into the room, creating a space where clients can feel safe exploring self-doubt while learning the tools to move forward.

    Her therapy style is integrative and highly personalized. She blends psychodynamic insight with solution-focused interventions, using role-play, CBT-informed techniques, and communication practice to help clients build emotional fluency, assertiveness, and long-term change.

    Areas of Focus:
    – Relationship challenges and communication issues
    – Couples therapy (monogamous, LGBTQIA+, and non-traditional)
    – Assertiveness, conflict avoidance, and boundary-setting
    – Anxiety, stress, and perfectionism
    – College/grad students, creatives, professionals & career changers
    – Life purpose, self-esteem, and identity development

    Therapy Approaches:
    Psychodynamic Therapy · Solution-Focused Therapy · CBT-Informed Tools · Role-Play & Skills Building

    Professional Background:
    Tara earned her Master’s in Social Work from Yeshiva University and has experience working with adolescents, adults, and couples from diverse backgrounds. Before becoming a therapist, she worked in advertising in NYC, which gives her deep empathy for clients navigating high-pressure careers and personal reinvention. Her therapy space is direct, human-centered, emotionally safe, and action-oriented — focused on helping clients feel more grounded, empowered, and connected.

Dr. Rebecca Goodman, Psy.D.

Rebecca Goodman, Psy.D

Clinical Psychology Fellow

Dr. Rebecca Goodman, Psy.D is a Clinical Psychology Fellow at Aspire Psychotherapy who provides therapy and comprehensive psychological testing for children, teens, and adults. She specializes in anxiety, trauma, OCD, and learning differences, offering compassionate, evidence-based care that supports emotional regulation, family communication, and long-term resilience. Dr. Goodman is known for her thoughtful, collaborative approach and her ability to help clients gain clarity and move forward with confidence.

  • Dr. Rebecca Goodman is a Clinical Psychology Fellow at Aspire Psychotherapy who provides individual therapy and psychological assessment for children, teens, and adults. She brings warmth, clinical precision, and a deep understanding of emotional development to her work with young people and families navigating anxiety, trauma, OCD, and learning-related challenges.

    In therapy, Dr. Goodman uses a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), interpersonal therapy, and trauma-informed techniques to help clients process experiences, shift unhelpful thought patterns, and build emotional resilience. She works closely with caregivers when needed, integrating Parent Management Training (PMT) and collaborative planning to support children’s growth across home and school settings.

    Dr. Goodman also offers comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological evaluations to assess concerns such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation. Her evaluations are individualized, strengths-based, and designed to provide accurate diagnosis, clear feedback, and actionable next steps for therapy, school supports, and family understanding.

    Clients and families describe Dr. Goodman as calm, focused, and deeply supportive — someone who meets each client where they are while guiding them toward meaningful and lasting change.

    Areas of Focus:
    – Anxiety, panic, and emotional overwhelm
    – OCD and avoidance-related behaviors
    – Trauma and emotional regulation challenges
    – Depression, low motivation, and adjustment stress
    – Child and adolescent resilience-building
    – Parent Management Training (PMT)
    – ADHD, Autism, learning differences & differential diagnosis

    Therapy & Assessment Approaches:
    CBT · ACT · Interpersonal Therapy · Trauma-Informed Care · Strengths-Based Assessment · PMT

    Professional Background:
    Dr. Goodman earned her doctorate from the PGSP–Stanford Psy.D. Consortium in Palo Alto, CA, and completed her APA-accredited internship at Lincoln Medical Center in New York City. She has advanced training in evidence-based therapy and neuropsychological testing, and brings both academic rigor and relational warmth to her work with individuals and families. She is dedicated to helping clients of all ages improve their wellbeing, deepen insight, and take meaningful steps forward in everyday life.

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What Our Clients Have to Say

  • “After suffering my whole life and then having what I’d constitute as a mental breakdown, I’m living generally an anxiety free life without using medication.”

    Past Client

  • “I was having anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia last year and started seeking help. I am now a much more balanced, mindful and calm person who feels empowered with an armada of useful strategies and techniques to manage and regulate stressful situations in my life.”

    Past Client

  • “Dr. Scolaro is an incredibly gifted therapist who has helped me learn and practice vital CBT skills that have changed my life”

    Past Client