Anxiety Treatment in NYC
Dr. Kennedy treats anxiety through a dual lens as both a prescribing psychiatrist and a practicing therapist. His PhD in neurogenetics provides a molecular-level understanding of how various treatments affect the brain, allowing him to select and adjust a plan specifically for each patient. He offers extended sessions that integrate precision psychiatric treatment with practical CBT tools that patients can apply immediately to manage their symptoms.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD - Board-Certified Psychiatrist | 15+ Years Experience | Last Updated: April 2026
Your Anxiety Specialist: Dr. Nigel Kennedy, MBBS, PhD
- ABPN Board Certified Psychiatrist (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology)
- MBBS and PhD from Imperial College London and St George's, University of London (Neurogenetics)
- Psychiatry Residency, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Physician-Scientist Track)
- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai
- Board-certified, providing integrated psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy
- Licensed in New York and California
Dr. Kennedy treats anxiety as both a prescribing psychiatrist and a practicing therapist. His PhD in neurogenetics gives him a molecular-level understanding of how medications affect the brain, which directly influences how he selects and adjusts medication for each patient. He offers extended sessions that combine psychiatric treatment with CBT tools patients can use in the moment.
Understanding Anxiety
"Anxiety is a complicated condition and can manifest in different ways in different people. For some, it is an intense feeling of worry and an intense feeling of danger that tends not to go away and can impact people's ability to work, to socialize, and it can be significantly debilitating across all aspects of life."
Anxiety significantly impacts executive function, sleep architecture, and can have a negative impact on personal relationships and professional performance. This commonly occurs in professionals in high-performance careers such as those in finance or entertainment.
How Anxiety Presents
Anxiety affects people differently. For some, it is constant worry that interferes with concentration and sleep. For others, it shows up physically or socially. Common presentations include:
- Persistent worry that is difficult to control, even when there is no clear threat
- Panic episodes with racing heart, chest tightness, tunnel vision, and a sudden feeling of being unable to function
- Social anxiety, including canceling plans at the last minute, overthinking emails or text messages, or avoiding situations that require interaction
- Performance anxiety, particularly in high-pressure careers in finance, law, or entertainment
- Physical symptoms including headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems (often misdiagnosed as IBS), sweating, and tremors
- Difficulty concentrating or staying on task, which is sometimes mistaken for ADHD
Anxiety and Related Conditions
Anxiety frequently co-occurs with depression and executive burnout. Dr. Kennedy evaluates these overlaps carefully because the treatment for each can be quite different.
Why Seek Treatment for Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are among the most responsive conditions to evidence-based psychiatric intervention. Peer-reviewed data and clinical meta-analyses consistently show that a combination of targeted pharmacotherapy and structured Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Anxiety disorders are among the most responsive conditions to evidence-based psychiatric intervention. Peer-reviewed data and clinical meta-analyses consistently show that a combination of targeted pharmacotherapy and structured Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) leads to high rates of clinical improvement.
The Goals of Targeted Treatment
Evidence-based protocols help patients:
- Interrupt the Cycle of Worry: Reduce the frequency and intensity of persistent thoughts so they no longer dominate your cognitive bandwidth.
- Stabilize the Stress Response: Reduce the frequency and severity of panic episodes by recalibrating the body's "fight-or-flight" triggers.
the body's "fight-or-flight" triggers.- Restore Executive Function: Improve the ability to concentrate, prioritize, and be productive in high-pressure work environments.
- Regain Social Agency: Improve confidence and end the cycle of avoiding professional or personal situations.
- Optimize Performance: Transition from debilitating performance anxiety to a state where adrenaline serves as a physiological asset for success.
- Manage Somatic Symptoms: Address the physical manifestations of chronic stress, including tension headaches, digestive issues, and muscle tightness.
Address the physical manifestations of chronic stress, including tension headaches, digestive issues, and muscle tightness.
"Anxiety is one of the most rewarding conditions to work with because treatment can be very successful. Watching people improve and move forward with their lives having gained mastery over their symptoms is incredibly rewarding."
The Clinical Approach to Anxiety
Treatment at Kennedy Psychiatric combines psychiatric treatment with psychotherapy, based on the specific type of anxiety each patient is experiencing.
Medication
Dr. Kennedy's medication approach is always based on a thorough understanding of the individual patient. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for anxiety.
"Medication management is complicated and treatment should always be specific to each patient and their specific needs. My approach is always to minimize the number of medications used and to have a clear plan for duration of treatment."
Dr. Kennedy may also utilize GeneSight pharmacogenomic testing to guide medication selection based on a patient's unique genetic profile.
The medications described here represent some available options. The specific treatment plan is always based on a thorough individual evaluation.
Medication for anxiety and depression is covered in detail on a separate page.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
CBT is a structured therapy, typically about 10 sessions, that teaches patients practical tools to manage their anxiety in the moment.
"Patients will learn the tools to tackle their anxiety in the moment. These tools can be very effective in many different real-world settings, and there is a huge wealth of evidence that CBT for anxiety is effective."
CBT works well for generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, and performance anxiety.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy takes a different approach. Instead of managing symptoms in the moment, it focuses on uncovering what is driving the anxiety. By understanding the root cause, patients can preempt stressful situations by recognizing the triggers from their past.
Dr. Kennedy completed a psychoanalytic fellowship at NYPSI (New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute) and continues to develop his skills in psychodynamic work through supervision and collaboration with other psychologists and therapists.
"These are very different modalities, and each patient is different. Some may be better suited to one rather than the other. I have experience in delivering both types of therapy."
Performance Anxiety in Finance, Entertainment, and Law
Many of Dr. Kennedy's patients are professionals whose anxiety directly affects their ability to perform at work.
"We all need a small amount of anxiety to perform at our very best. The danger comes when we have too much anxiety and feel frozen and unable to perform at all. In these circumstances, anxieties are often driven by intense surges of adrenaline."
Dr. Kennedy teaches specific tools through therapy that patients in these fields have found effective.
To reach Dr. Kennedy, call (929) 505-0504 or email appointments@kennedypsychiatric.com.
Who Benefits from Anxiety Treatment at Kennedy Psychiatric
Dr. Kennedy treats adults experiencing anxiety across a range of presentations:
- Professionals in finance, corporate, entertainment, and tech with performance anxiety or generalized anxiety
- Adults experiencing panic episodes who want to understand why they are happening and how to stop them
- Patients who have been on anti-anxiety medication from a primary care physician but feel it is not working well enough
- People who have been told they have IBS, chronic headaches, or tension but suspect anxiety may be contributing
- Adults who have been evaluated for ADHD but whose symptoms may actually be driven by anxiety
- Patients whose anxiety has begun to affect their relationships, sleep, or ability to function at work
- Professionals who need evening appointments or telehealth follow-ups to fit treatment around demanding schedules
The practice operates on a fee-for-service model. Evening hours until 9:00 PM and telehealth are available for patients in New York and California.
What to Expect from Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety treatment requires patience in the early stages, but improvement is achievable for the vast majority of patients.
- Some patients notice slight improvement within the first five days of starting medication
- A minimum of two weeks is needed to evaluate a medication's full initial effect
- Full benefit may take two to three months, as these medications work through subtle changes in brain chemistry that take time to develop
- CBT tools can be applied immediately, often from the first session
- Most patients see meaningful improvement within the first two to three months of combined treatment
"It is good practice to give any medication a minimum of two weeks to fully evaluate its effect. However, some patients will see a slight benefit within the first five days of treatment."
Your Anxiety Recovery Timeline
Recovering from anxiety is a structured process designed to return you to peak performance. Dr. Kennedy's physician-scientist approach ensures that every stage of your care is data-driven, transparent, and focused on long-term independence.
Your recovery begins with a direct conversation. Dr. Kennedy personally speaks with every potential patient to discuss symptoms and ensure the practice is the right clinical fit.
Rapid Access: New patients are typically seen within 1-2 business days to address acute distress immediately. Subject to clinical availability.
A comprehensive diagnostic interview is the foundation of an effective plan. Dr. Kennedy examines your medical history, current symptoms, and life circumstances to differentiate between various types of anxiety and identify any co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD or depression.
"This interview provides the broader context needed to understand you as a person. By looking at how symptoms affect your specific life, we can formulate a more accurate diagnosis and a highly effective treatment plan."
Based on your evaluation, you and Dr. Kennedy will collaborate on a strategic roadmap. Treatment often begins at the very first appointment. This may include:
- Precision Medication: Selecting the right biological support based on your molecular profile.
- Immediate CBT Tools: Practical strategies you can use the moment you leave the office.
Regular sessions are used to monitor your progress and fine-tune your care. Dr. Kennedy provides unique, extended appointments that combine psychiatric treatment and CBT in a single visit. If more intensive therapy is required, he coordinates your care with specialized therapists.
Unlike traditional models that can continue for years, this approach has a clear endpoint. As your symptoms stabilize and your "personal toolkit" grows, the frequency of your visits will decrease.
"I firmly believe that patients should complete their course of treatment and move forward with their lives. While I remain available for future needs, our goal from day one is to provide relief from distress and take steps towards ongoing functional stability."
Anxiety Treatment Cost and Insurance
Kennedy Psychiatric operates on a fee-for-service model. Patients are billed at the time of each appointment. The practice provides superbills with CPT codes for patients to submit to their insurance for out-of-network reimbursement.
"Many of my patients have a good proportion of their treatment covered in this model. A lot of people are unaware of that. Many insurance policies actually provide for out-of-network care."
The fee-for-service model provides full cost transparency with no surprise charges after the visit. After insurance reimbursement, the actual cost may be lower than what patients would pay through an in-network co-payment.
Access
- Priority Onboarding: Most new patients seen within 1-2 business days
- Executive Hours: Evening appointments until 9:00 PM
- Telehealth available for follow-ups (New York and California)
- Midtown Manhattan, near Rockefeller Center
- Doorman building, elevator, wheelchair accessible
What Patients Say About Anxiety Treatment
Dr. Kennedy has received over 42 patient reviews on US News Health, rated "Highly Recommended." Patients describe his approach as thorough, attentive, and effective.
"Patient testimonials will be added with permission."
- Name withheld for privacy
The Kennedy Advantage: Anxiety Treatment
Choosing a psychiatric practice is a significant decision. The Kennedy Advantage is built on a physician-scientist model that prioritizes diagnostic precision, molecular-level expertise, and the convenience required by high-performing professionals.
Diagnostic Precision Before Treatment
Anxiety symptoms frequently overlap with ADHD, clinical depression, and professional burnout. Dr. Kennedy dedicates 60 to 90 minutes to your initial evaluation to ensure an accurate diagnosis before any intervention begins.
"Patients often arrive believing they have ADHD. While we do provide formal ADHD evaluations, the underlying cause is frequently an anxiety disorder. Identifying this distinction is critical because anxiety responds remarkably well to targeted treatment."
A Molecular Understanding of Brain Science
With a PhD in neurogenetics and a history of peer-reviewed research, Dr. Kennedy possesses a deep understanding of how anti-anxiety medications function at the molecular level.
Extended Clinical Sessions
We believe that high-quality psychiatric care cannot be rushed.
- Initial Evaluations: 60 to 90 minutes.
- Follow-up Sessions: 30 to 50 minutes, designed to combine psychiatric treatment with active therapy in a single appointment.
Designed for High-Performing Professionals
Our practice infrastructure is built to respect the schedules of busy professionals:
- Priority Onboarding: Most new patients are seen within 1-2 business days.
- Flexible Hours: Evening appointments available until 9:00 PM.
- Telehealth Accessibility: Secure video follow-ups for patients located in New York and California.
- Prime Location: A Midtown Manhattan office accessible to professionals across the city.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Treatment
How do you break the cycle of morning anxiety?
Morning anxiety is common because cortisol levels are naturally higher in the early morning. Treatment involves a combination of medication to reduce baseline anxiety and CBT techniques to manage the thought patterns that fuel it. Dr. Kennedy works with patients on specific tools they can use before and during the start of their day.
Can anxiety cause weight loss?
Anxiety can affect appetite in both directions. Some patients lose weight because anxiety suppresses their appetite or causes nausea. Others may eat more as a coping mechanism. Treating the anxiety helps stabilize appetite. Addressing the underlying anxiety is a critical step in supporting the stabilization of appetite and overall physical health.
When should someone see a psychiatrist for anxiety instead of a therapist?
If therapy alone has not produced sufficient improvement, if symptoms are moderate to severe, if physical symptoms like panic episodes are present, or if you are interested in medication, seeing a psychiatrist is the right step. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication and provide therapy, while a therapist can provide therapy only.
What physical symptoms of anxiety do people overlook?
Headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems, sweating, tremors, and frequent bathroom visits are all physical manifestations of anxiety. Many patients see other specialists for these symptoms before realizing anxiety is the cause.
Can anxiety make you feel like you have ADHD?
Yes. Anxiety causes difficulty concentrating, trouble staying on task, and restlessness, which can look identical to ADHD. If a patient is treated for ADHD when the actual issue is anxiety, stimulant medication can make the anxiety significantly worse. Dr. Kennedy evaluates for both conditions before recommending treatment.
Is an anxiety disorder considered a disability?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an anxiety disorder may qualify as a disability if it "substantially limits one or more major life activities." You should consult a psychiatrist if physical symptoms (panic, insomnia, digestive issues) are interfering with daily life, therapy alone has reached a plateau in progress, or your symptoms are moderate to severe, requiring a physician-scientist to evaluate the molecular and biological drivers of your condition.
Start Your Anxiety Treatment
Priority Onboarding: Most new patients seen within 1-2 business days.
Executive Hours: Evening sessions until 9:00 PM.
Call (929) 505-0504 to speak with Dr. Kennedy. He personally takes every initial call and can schedule your first appointment within days.
You can also email appointments@kennedypsychiatric.com or request a consultation online.
Kennedy Psychiatric
1350 6th Avenue, Suite 252, New York, NY 10019
Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 9 PM
Free consultation call. No commitment required.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Anxiety disorders require individualized evaluation and treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. If you are in crisis, call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.