OCD Therapy · New York
OCD Therapy in New York City
I help adults in New York quiet the grip of obsessive-compulsive disorder using ERP — the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD — with discretion and without judgement.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) offering private, in-person OCD therapy on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, and online across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · New York
At a Glance
OCD therapy — scope at a glance
Who it's for
Adults (18+) with OCD or intrusive thoughts
What it helps with
Obsessions · compulsions · intrusive thoughts
How I work
ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention) · CBT
Where I'm licensed
New York (in person + online)
Format
Private, by referral & inquiry
i. · What OCD Really Is
OCD isn't about being tidy. It's about a mind that won't let go.
OCD is a cycle: an unwanted, intrusive thought or fear (an obsession) creates intense anxiety, and a behavior or mental act done to relieve it (a compulsion) brings brief relief — which teaches the brain to do it again. The loop tightens over time.
Intrusive thoughts can be disturbing, taboo, or completely out of character. Having them does not make you a bad or dangerous person — it makes you someone with a treatable condition. Much of my work is helping people who’ve carried these thoughts in shame, often for years.
ii. · Common Forms of OCD
OCD wears many faces.
OCD shows up in many themes — and can shift between them. You don’t need a ‘typical’ presentation to have it. Some of the forms I work with:
Contamination
Fears of germs, illness, or contamination, with washing, cleaning, or avoidance compulsions.
Harm OCD
Intrusive fears of harming yourself or others — deeply distressing, and the opposite of who you are.
Intrusive thoughts (Pure-O)
Taboo or disturbing thoughts (violent, sexual, religious) with mostly mental compulsions — reassurance, checking, analyzing.
Relationship OCD
Relentless doubt about a partner, the relationship, or your own feelings, with constant checking and reassurance-seeking.
'Just right' & symmetry
A need for things to feel exactly right, ordered, or balanced, with repeating or arranging until the feeling settles.
Scrupulosity
Obsessive fears about morality, religion, or being a ‘good’ person, with confessing, praying, or mental reviewing.
iii. · How I Work
ERP — the gold standard for OCD.
The most effective, evidence-based treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specialized form of CBT. Together, and always at your pace, we gradually and safely face the fears that drive the obsessions while resting the compulsions that keep the cycle alive. Over time, the brain learns that the anxiety passes on its own — and the grip loosens. It’s structured, collaborative, and done with genuine discretion.
iv. · Is This For You?
Who this work is for.
This work is for adults ready to face OCD directly with a structured, evidence-based approach — including high-functioning people who’ve hidden their obsessions and compulsions behind a life that looks entirely in control. Much of my practice is visible, high-profile clients who need genuine discretion while they do this work. If that’s where you are, we’ll likely be a good fit.
Intrusive thoughts are a symptom of OCD, not intent — but if you’re ever having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out now: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or dial 911. This practice is outpatient and not monitored for emergencies.
v. · In Their Words
From people I've worked with.
Anonymized and shared with permission, out of respect for privacy.
Your Therapist
Nicole Trister, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · New York
I’m a New York psychotherapist offering concierge individual and couples therapy for high-functioning, high-profile clients. My work is grounded in evidence-based methods including CBT and ERP for OCD, alongside DBT and the Gottman Method. As a former competitive gymnast and a lifelong runner, I understand first-hand that having it together doesn’t mean not needing help — and I’m willing to hold up an honest mirror, which is why my clients tend to stay with me for years.
My credentials & focus: LCSW (New York) · OCD, anxiety & intrusive thoughts · ERP · CBT · DBT · Gottman Method · In person at 276 Fifth Avenue, New York, and online across NY, NJ & CT.
Connect
vi. · Questions
OCD therapy in New York — FAQ
How do I know if this type of anxiety therapy is right for me?
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How do I know if this type of anxiety therapy is right for me?
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How do I know if this type of anxiety therapy is right for me?
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If OCD has been running the show, there's a way out. Let's talk.
Consultations are held privately and by inquiry. There is no waiting room, and no obligation.