Phobia Treatment in Manhattan
A specific phobia can quietly shrink your world — one flight you don’t take, one elevator you avoid, one needle stick you dread for weeks in advance. The good news: phobias are one of the most treatable concerns in mental health, often responding well within a focused, relatively short course of therapy.
Is This You?
If any of the following feel familiar, you’re not alone — and you’re in the right place.
A specific fear — flying, heights, needles, animals, enclosed spaces, or something else — that feels far bigger than the actual danger
You’ve reorganized parts of your life — routes you drive, appointments you book, trips you take — to avoid the thing you fear
Just thinking about the situation brings on a racing heart, sweating, or a wave of panic
You know the fear isn’t fully rational, but that knowledge alone hasn’t been enough to shake it
Phobias develop for real reasons — a past experience, an inherited sensitivity, or a pattern of avoidance that took on a life of its own. None of that means you’re stuck with it.
How I Work
The strongest evidence for treating specific phobias comes from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, particularly gradual exposure — carefully and collaboratively facing the feared situation in manageable steps, at a pace you control, until it loses its grip. We also work on the anxious thoughts and physical responses that keep the fear cycle going.
Map out exactly what triggers the fear and how avoidance has been reinforcing it
Build a step-by-step exposure plan that starts small and moves at your pace
Practice grounding and physiological skills to manage anxiety in the moment
Track progress so you can see the fear’s grip loosening session by session
Many people see meaningful improvement in a phobia within a focused, time-limited course of treatment — this is one of the more responsive concerns therapy can address.
What to Expect in Your First Session
We start with a free 15-minute phone consultation to see whether we're a good fit. If we are, the first full session is a 45-minute conversation about what brought you in, how your fear shows up in your daily life, and what you'd like to be different. By the end, you'll have a clear sense of how we'll work together and what the next few weeks will look like.
In Person on the Upper West Side, or Online in New York and Florida
Sessions take place at my office at 275 Central Park West, a short walk from the B and C trains at 86th Street and Central Park West. I also offer telehealth for anyone in New York State or Florida. Daytime, evening and Sunday appointments are available.
Fees and Insurance
I'm in network with UnitedHealthcare, Oxford, Oscar and Aetna through Alma and Headway. If your plan is out of network, I can provide a superbill so you can seek reimbursement directly from your insurer. Call or text 646-717-4860, or email dr@dansharir.com, to check your coverage or book a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phobia Treatment
Which phobias do you treat?
Common ones include fear of flying, heights, elevators, driving, needles, animals, vomiting and enclosed spaces like the subway. If a fear is shrinking your life, it can be treated, however specific or unusual it seems.
Will I be forced to face my fear right away?
No. Exposure therapy works step by step. Together we build a ladder from the least to the most difficult situations, and you decide when to take the next step.
How many sessions does phobia treatment take?
It varies from person to person. We'll plan our work around your goal, such as taking a flight you have booked.
Ready to Take the First Step?
I offer a free 15-minute initial consultation so we can talk about what’s going on and whether working together feels like a good fit. There’s no pressure and no commitment.
Call or text: 646-717-4860
Email: dr@dansharir.com
I see clients in person on the Upper West Side and via telehealth throughout New York State.