Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) NYC | Resonance Psychology
Cognitive behavioral therapy at Resonance Psychology in New York City

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in New York City

Evidence-based care for the patterns that keep you stuck.

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You have tried to push past it. And yet, here you are.

The anxious thoughts that fire before you can question them. The self-doubt that shows up right when you need confidence most. The sense that something still feels off, no matter how hard you work to outrun it.

Maybe you have been carrying this for a long time.

Maybe you are tired of strategies that only work on the surface. Maybe part of you wonders whether real change is actually possible.

  • You find yourself replaying conversations, convinced you said the wrong thing
  • You avoid situations that feel threatening, even when you know avoidance is making things worse
  • You hold yourself to standards that feel impossible to meet, and feel ashamed when you do not
  • You are doing all the "right" things, and still feel stuck

Your pain is valid. And the patterns that formed to protect you can change. That is exactly what CBT is designed to help you do.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy built around a central idea: our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are deeply connected. When unhelpful thinking patterns take hold, they shape how we feel and what we do. And the behaviors that follow can end up reinforcing the very things we are trying to move past.

CBT was developed by psychiatrist Aaron Beck in the 1960s and has since become one of the most extensively researched therapeutic approaches in modern clinical practice. It is structured, goal-oriented, and typically shorter-term than other approaches, which makes it a meaningful fit for many of the clients we work with at Resonance Psychology.

By helping you identify inaccurate or harmful thought patterns and gradually shift the behaviors that flow from them, CBT creates real, measurable change in how you feel.

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Asian American mental health therapy at Resonance Psychology in New York City

Therapy that actually fits who you are.

At Resonance Psychology, we believe the therapeutic relationship is just as important as the modality. CBT is a powerful framework. But it is only as effective as the space in which it happens. That is why we work to create a relationship that is warm, collaborative, and genuinely tailored to your experience.

Dr. Angela Gwak, MFT, PhD, is the founder and director of Resonance Psychology. Columbia University-trained with 19 years of clinical experience, Dr. Gwak specializes in culturally affirming care for Asian American, BIPOC, and multicultural individuals. She brings both clinical expertise and lived cultural understanding to every session.

Esther Eng, MHC-LP, works alongside Dr. Gwak as part of the Resonance team, supporting clients navigating anxiety, relational stress, identity, and life transitions with the same depth-oriented, culturally responsive approach.

Meet Our Therapists

How We Approach CBT at Resonance Psychology

Our approach to CBT is integrative, culturally responsive, and individually tailored. We do not apply a fixed protocol. We draw from the evidence base and adapt it to the specific person in front of us, recognizing that the same technique lands differently depending on who you are, where you come from, and what you carry.

We draw from these therapeutic approaches in our CBT work:

Cognitive Restructuring

Identifying and evaluating automatic negative thoughts to develop more accurate, balanced ways of interpreting your experiences and yourself.

Behavioral Activation

Interrupting cycles of withdrawal and low mood by reintroducing meaningful, values-aligned activity that generates momentum and connection.

Exposure Work

Gently and systematically confronting avoided situations so that fear loses its grip and your confidence in your own ability to cope begins to grow.

Culturally Adapted CBT

Applying the CBT framework through a culturally informed lens, addressing the cognitive patterns that arise from cultural identity, family expectations, and community pressures.

Skill Practice and Homework

Between-session practice, including thought records and behavioral experiments, helps the changes you work toward in session take root in everyday life.

Goal-Oriented Structure

Each session is purposeful. You and your therapist collaborate to identify specific, meaningful goals and track progress toward them throughout your work together.

You do not have to keep pushing through alone. What if this is possible for you?

CBT therapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma at Resonance Psychology NYC

What We Help With

CBT has strong clinical support across a wide range of mental health concerns. At Resonance Psychology, we apply it in a personalized way, recognizing that each client's experience, background, and goals are unique.

Anxiety

Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, relational anxiety, and anxiety rooted in cultural or identity-based pressures.

Depression

Low mood, withdrawal, loss of motivation, and the thought patterns that keep depression in place.

Trauma and C-PTSD

Complex and intergenerational trauma, including culturally specific traumatic experiences and relational wounds.

ADHD and Neurodivergence

Executive function, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and the cognitive patterns that accompany ADHD.

Self-Esteem and Identity

Low self-worth, imposter syndrome, multicultural identity stress, and the internalization of external expectations.

Relationships and Life Transitions

Relationship difficulties, grief, acculturation stress, and the challenges of major life change.

What if this is possible for you?

We have had the privilege of supporting clients who were not sure what progress would even look like for them. And we have witnessed them make steady, meaningful change. We cannot wait to partner with you in that work.

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Frequently Asked Questions About CBT in NYC

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy built around a central idea: our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are deeply connected. When unhelpful thinking patterns take hold, they shape how we feel and what we do. And the behaviors that follow can end up reinforcing the very things we are trying to move past. CBT helps you recognize those patterns and change them. It is one of the most extensively researched therapeutic approaches available, with strong clinical support for a wide range of mental health concerns.
CBT has been studied and applied across a wide range of mental health concerns. At Resonance Psychology, we use it to support clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma and C-PTSD, ADHD, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, life transitions, grief, acculturation stress, and identity-related concerns, among others. Your therapist will discuss your specific situation during your initial consultation to determine whether CBT is the right fit for what you are working through.
CBT is generally more structured and present-focused than many other therapy approaches. Rather than open-ended exploration of past experiences, sessions typically involve specific goals, skill-building, and between-session practice. That makes it a strong fit for people who want a practical, goal-oriented path forward with clear benchmarks for progress. It is also one of the most flexible frameworks available, and can be adapted to meet the specific cultural, relational, and personal context each client brings.
CBT is typically shorter-term than many other therapy approaches, with many structured protocols ranging from 12 to 20 sessions. That said, therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and the pace and duration of your work together will be shaped by your individual needs and goals. Your therapist will talk through an estimated timeline with you during or after your intake session.
Yes. CBT has one of the strongest evidence bases in psychotherapy for anxiety, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and anxiety rooted in relational or cultural stress. The approach helps you identify the thought patterns and avoidance behaviors that are keeping anxiety in place, and build practical skills to respond differently over time. Anxiety is one of the primary areas of focus at Resonance Psychology.
Sessions at Resonance Psychology are typically 45 to 60 minutes and held weekly. A CBT session involves collaborative conversation with your therapist, a check-in on any between-session practice from the previous week, and active work on the thoughts, skills, or patterns most relevant to your goals. CBT is interactive. Your therapist will not simply listen but will work with you to identify and shift what is getting in your way, and to support the skills that are beginning to take hold.
Yes. We offer in-person therapy at our Flatiron office in Manhattan for New York clients, as well as virtual sessions for clients throughout New York State. We also provide telehealth-only services for clients in New Jersey and Florida. Telehealth CBT has been shown to be comparably effective to in-person therapy for most conditions, including anxiety and depression, so wherever you are in the state, care is accessible.
CBT tends to be a strong fit for people who are ready to engage actively in the process, want a structured and practical approach to a specific concern, and are willing to practice skills between sessions. It may not be the right fit for every person or every goal, and we will always be honest with you about that. The best way to find out is a conversation with one of our therapists. That is exactly what the free consult call is for.
Yes, and this is central to who we are. Our therapists specialize in supporting Asian American, BIPOC, and multicultural individuals navigating mental health within the context of cultural identity, family expectations, and the specific pressures of being a person of color in New York City. CBT can be adapted to address culturally specific cognitive patterns, including model minority expectations, intergenerational dynamics, acculturation stress, and the intersection of cultural identity with anxiety, depression, and self-worth. If you are looking for a therapist who genuinely understands your cultural and community context, we would love to connect.
We are not currently in-network with any insurance companies. However, you may be able to use your out-of-network mental health benefits to get a portion of your session fees reimbursed. We provide superbills after each session with the treatment codes your insurance company needs to process a potential reimbursement. We encourage you to check with your insurance provider about your out-of-network coverage before your first appointment. Please reach out to us directly if you have questions about fees.
Resonance Psychology PLLC — boutique therapy practice in Manhattan, New York City. Cognitive behavioral therapy for Asian Americans, BIPOC, and multicultural clients.

Resonance Psychology

Resonance Psychology is a boutique private practice in Manhattan offering depth-oriented, culturally attuned therapy for clients in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Founded by Dr. Angela Gwak, an Asian American psychologist with 19 years of clinical experience, the practice specializes in trauma, anxiety, self-esteem, couples and interracial relationships, and cultural identity work for Asian Americans, BIPOC, TCKs, and neurodivergent adults.

Resonance brings together insightful, practical, and evidence-based care grounded in authentic human connection, so that you can begin moving steadily toward the calmer, more confident, and more connected life you have been longing for.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out for immediate support. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.