The stress and emotional pressure of the last few years—from pandemics to riots—have made mental health care not just useful but essential. New Yorkers, and particularly Manhattanites, are blessed with options in therapy that can be daunting. If you’re struggling with anxiety, attempting to recover from a breakup, sobering up from addiction, or seeking help for a loved one suffering from psychosis, the right therapist can be a game-changer. To assist you in locating that support, we’ve put together a researched list of 10 of Manhattan, NY’s best therapists and therapy offices.
We start with a reliable and proven name in the field:
1. Laurie Sloane, LCSW
Location: Midtown West (W 56th St)
Treats: Depression, anxiety, life changes, relationship problems, self-esteem, trauma
Therapy type: Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapy
Why She’s Exceptional:
With more than three decades of hands-on experience, Laurie Sloane is a compassionate yet insightful practitioner. She has helped hundreds of people and couples break long-standing emotional patterns, make significant life transitions, and cultivate permanent self-awareness. Laurie combines insight-oriented therapy with practical coping skills for everyday life—a perfect choice for those who seek a balance of reflection and results.
2. Manhattan Wellness
Address: Flatiron District
Specialties: Career indecision, nervous young professionals, body image issues, self-esteem, stress
Modality: Integrative therapy (mindfulness, CBT, solution-oriented)
What Sets Them Apart:
Their team-based approach finds each client paired with a therapist whose personality and objectives are similar to his or her own. This hip, high-tech practice attracts primarily millennials and Gen Z professionals who want relatable and solution-focused therapy. Manhattan Wellness therapists are all about empowerment and movement, assisting clients to thrive rather than just survive.
3. Ackerman Institute for the Family
Location: Union Square
Specialties: Parenting, marital relationships, conflict between generations, family relationships, child behavior
Modality: Family systems therapy
Why They’re Exceptional:
Rated as one of the top family therapy training institutions in the U.S., the Ackerman Institute is renowned for assisting families of any configuration through challenging change, trauma, and communication breakdown. Sliding-scale fees and diverse staff make them both affordable and very highly recommended.
4. Freedom Institute
Address: Madison Avenue
Specialties: Relapse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction, behavioral addictions
Modality: Individual and group treatment, relational therapy, DBT
Why It Works:
Established in 1976, Freedom Institute has been the catalyst for hundreds of thousands to overcome addiction. Their extensively regimented four-stage program includes rigorous outpatient therapy and relapse prevention, as well as specialized services such as family therapy, art therapy, and sober coaching. Their empathetic, personalized approach is one reason why they are considered NYC’s top solution for addiction recovery.
5. Therapists of New York
Address: Midtown
Specialties: Anxiety, trauma, depression, couples therapy, identity issues
Modality: Eclectic (psychodynamic, EMDR, somatic, CBT)
Key Highlights:
This team of highly trained clinicians offers therapy for individuals, couples, and families. They’re especially known for trauma-informed care and their ability to work across cultural and generational differences. If you’re looking for therapists who are both compassionate and clinically sharp, this group is worth considering.
6. NYC CBTp—Dr. Sally E. Riggs
Location: Central Manhattan
Specialties: Paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis, precursors of schizophrenia
Modality: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp)
What Makes Her Special:
Dr. Riggs is one of the very few Manhattan therapists trained in CBTp—a top evidence-based therapy for psychosis. She seeks to normalize clients’ experiences and teach coping skills. Her stigma-free and empathetic practice is well-suited for individuals and families grappling with these difficult mental health issues.
7. Center for Motivation and Change
Address: 8th Avenue
Specializations: Addiction, high-risk behavior, compulsive behavior
Modality: Motivational Interviewing, CBT, CRAFT (family)
What Makes It Unique:
In contrast to the majority of other 12-step paradigms, CMC provides science-informed, non-confrontational means of assisting individuals in developing self-awareness and gaining long-lasting change. They also specialize in co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or trauma with addiction, making this center a great option for integrative treatment.
8. Dr. Yulia Landa, PhD—Mount Sinai
Location: Mount Sinai, Upper East Side
Specialties: Early intervention and psychosis in adolescents and young adults
Modality: CBT for psychosis
Standout Factor:
Dr. Landa co-directs the Coping with Unique Experiences (CUE) program at Mount Sinai, specifically designed for early psychosis in adolescents. Focusing on early detection and destigmatization, her practice enables patients and their families. Group therapy and psychoeducation are also provided through the program.
9. myTherapyNYC
Address: Financial District
Specialties: LGBTQ+ concerns, relationship tension, anxiety, trauma
Modality: Relational, validating therapy
Why Clients Love Them:
Through their excellent reputation for their positive and open work, myTherapyNYC allows clients from all backgrounds of identity and life to be heard and understood in a secure environment. Clinicians are educated in emotional change and connection through self-acceptance and vulnerability. A fantastic match for LGBTQ+ clients or clients seeking issues of identity.
10. Dr. Sharlene Bird, PsyD
Location: Midtown East
Specialties: Couples therapy, trauma, anxiety, multicultural concerns
Modality: Culturally attuned, integrative therapy
Why She’s Recognized:
Dr. Bird brings over two decades of experience to her culturally sensitive work with individuals, couples, and families. She offers therapy in English, Spanish, and Yiddish and specializes in trauma and relationship dynamics in cross-cultural contexts. She is also trained in somatic approaches and mindfulness.
How to Choose the Right Therapist
Choosing a therapist is highly personal. This is what to consider:
Style Match: Do you want a very structured, skills-oriented one (CBT) or a more introspective, exploratory one (psychodynamic)?
Identity Match: Would you like to work with someone of the same gender, cultural, or sexual identity as you?
Specialization: Get someone with expertise in the primary concern on your mind—addiction, psychosis, relationships, or anxiety.
Budget & Insurance: Manhattan therapists will generally cost $150–$300 per session. Ask if they offer sliding scale fees or take your insurance.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing weak or humiliating about going to therapy. Manhattan has some of the best-trained therapists in the nation, with areas of specialization that range from repairing relationships and recovering from trauma to treating addiction and psychosis.
Whatever your situation—whether you’re a burned-out young professional, a harried family, or just attempting to find your footing post-pandemic—this list is your place to start. Start with someone like Laurie Sloane for no more than plain-old individual or couples therapy, or contact specialized clinics like Freedom Institute, CMC, or Ackerman based on your requirements. You can heal—and you needn’t do it alone.
