You’ve Come
to the Right Place

Psychotherapy for New Yorkers facing the challenges of anxiety, chronic conditions, special needs parenting, working in the performing arts and general NYC living.

You’ve Come to the RightRight Place

Psychotherapy for New Yorkers facing the challenges of anxiety, chronic conditions, special needs parenting, working in the performing arts and general NYC living.

Why Should Anyone Be Inside Psychotherapy?

To benefit from psychotherapy, you don’t have to be broken, in crisis, desperate, or mentally ill.

Of course, we are here for those times too.

But in the absence of catastrophe or mental health crisis, regular counseling sessions, the ones where you sometimes think to yourself, “I don’t really know what I’m going to talk about today,” often lead to the most interesting and important times of self-inquiry and personal growth you will have.

We cannot promise that you will leave each therapy session feeling great.

But we do expect you to leave each session feeling hope.

Alena Gerst, LCSW, NYC psychotherapist
Hi, I’m Alena

I’m the owner and director of Inside Psychotherapy. 

When I was considering becoming a psychotherapist for my second career, I asked my own therapist at the time if he ever got tired of listening to people talk about their problems all day. He smiled and said, “The healthiest people I know are in therapy.”

After working for over a decade as a psychotherapist in private practice, I could not agree more.

It is the honor of a lifetime to sit with people who lean toward health Inside Psychotherapy.

We look forward to meeting you.

Need support? You’ve come to the right place.
Call us or message us or schedule online. Your choice!

Integrative Psychotherapy for Mind and Body in New York City

Services are offered in our Midtown West office or online throughout New York.

Washington Square Park; Therapy for anxiety in NYC

Find relief from persistent worry and build practical tools to feel calmer, more grounded, and in control.

Woman waiting for the subway; Therapy for women's mental health in NYC

Compassionate support for the emotional challenges, transitions, and pressures women experience throughout life.

Father and son in Central Park; Therapy for special needs parents in NYC

A supportive space to process the unique stress, grief, joy, and complexity of parenting a child with special needs.

Person performing in Central Park; Therapy for performance artists in Central Park

Navigate performance anxiety, creative pressures, career uncertainty, and the emotional demands of life as an artist.

Bench in Bryant Park; Therapy for chronic illness and disabilities in NYC

Support for navigating the emotional impact of chronic illness or disability while making space for the whole of who you are.

Sign for uptown and downtown; Therapy for NYC living

Find more balance and connection while managing the stress, pace, and pressures of life in New York City.

Connect with Us

    Change from the Inside Out

    Get Started in 3 Easy Steps

    Call, Email of schedule a fee consult online with Alena Gerst, LCSW

    1. Reach Out

    Message us, call us, or schedule an initial 20 minute consultation directly to our calendars.

    Let's Chat

    2. Let’s get to know each other

    We will learn about your goals for therapy and answer your questions.

    Begin Sessions

    3. We’ll dive in together

    Whether you’re meeting in person, online, or hybrid, your therapy journey begins!

    In the Media