About Dr. Anya Scolaro

Clinical Director, Aspire Psychotherapy

Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D., LCSW, BCN (she/her), is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in a wide variety of presenting issues such as mood and anxiety disorders, serious mental illness, and family/relational problems. Dr. Scolaro has rigorous training in providing affirmative LGBTQ+ therapy and evidence-based treatments for OCD, Body Focused Repetitive disorders, phobias, ADHD and behavioral issues in children and adolescents with a focus in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), biofeedback, and behavioral interventions. Additionally, Dr. Scolaro has been trained in providing neuropsychological assessments to folks across a lifespan who are seeking to better understand and optimize their level of functioning.

Dr. Scolaro blends warm and compassionate style with unwavering dedication in supporting clients on their unique journeys. Her commitment involves helping individuals envision a version of a happier, more fulfilling life. With a hands-on approach, she collaborates with clients to identify practical ways to navigate challenges and work towards their desired state of well-being.

Training modalities:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples/Partners and Families (EFT)

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Psychological / Neuropsychological Assessments

• Biofeedback and Neurofeedback

• Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

• Psychodynamic / Psychoanalytic

Dr. Scolaro received a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from LIU Post University, a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, and a Master of Clinical Psychology from City College of New York. Dr. Scolaro’s research interest is focused on LGBTQ+ competency amongst therapists and the importance of affirmative care.

Her previous roles include Director of DBT Center at Behavioral Associates, where she trained and supervised all individual and group DBT services, and Co-Director of the PRIDE Healing Center at LIU Post University, which serves the LGBTQ+ community and their families. Dr. Scolaro received training in psychological assessments and evidence-based treatments for personality and mood disorders, behavioral dysregulation, psychosis, gender and body dysphoria in both intensive outpatient and inpatient settings such as Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, Gracie Square Inpatient Hospital, William Alanson White Institute, as well as Lincoln Hospital and Bronx Lebanon Hospital.

Certifications and Trainings:

• Board Certified in Neurofeedback

• Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy Training

• Complicated Grief

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy

• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

• LGBTQ+ Affirmative Training through the Pride Healing Center (PHC)

Professional Affiliations

• American Psychological Association (APA)

• Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)

• Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA)

• New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA)

• Hudson Valley Psychologists

• International OCD Foundation

• World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)

Recent Highlights:

• The How’s and Why’s of LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy (Guest Speaker, March 2023)

• PSYCHOLOGISTS IN TRAINING: DEVELOPING LGBTQ+ CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN TRAINEES (Dissertation)