Dr. Sandy Thompson, PhD
I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience helping adults understand the patterns that keep them feeling anxious, stuck, or disconnected from what they want.
I offer CBT that’s practical, reflective, and tailored to you. Together, we’ll identify what’s getting in the way, build on what’s already working, and develop more flexible ways of responding —so you can move through life with greater clarity, balance, and intention.
Columbia-trained, warm, and direct
A pressure-free call to see if we're a good fit
My approach
Working with me is an active, collaborative process. We’ll create space for you to feel understood and safe to examine your experiences. I’ll be supportive without simply reassuring you, helping you understand what’s happening with compassion and curiosity while also empowering you to move toward the changes that matter most to you.
Some sessions may involve stepping back to understand where a pattern comes from; others may focus on a situation you’re dealing with right now or a skill you want to practice. We’ll adjust our work as your needs and goals evolve.
Change without losing yourself
Our goal is not to become a different person.
It’s about understanding yourself more clearly, making room for what matters to you, and developing the flexibility to respond differently when old patterns no longer serve you.
You can care about others without putting yourself last. You can have high standards without feeling that you’re never enough. You can want to grow while also accepting yourself as you are.
“You helped me stay true to who I am, and I now feel more grounded, clearer on what I want, and able to communicate it in ways that really work.”
Dr. Thompson is a compassionate, genuine, and effective provider of cognitive behavioral treatments. She was one of the most skilled clinicians at Bellevue Hospital. I strongly recommend her without hesitation.
— Dr. Galbraith
Dr. Thompson is an excellent, competent, compassionate clinician. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking evidence-based treatment for anxiety and relationship difficulties.
— Dr. Sears
Who I work with
I work with adults from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. Many are used to holding a lot together and may appear to be doing well on the outside, while privately feeling that something isn’t quite working or the same patterns keep repeating.
You don’t have to know exactly what you want to change. Openness and curiosity are more than enough to get started — we can figure out the rest together.
You also don’t have to wait until things become unmanageable. Sometimes, having the space to step back and understand what’s happening can help you make meaningful changes sooner.
Curious what change could look like for you?
Clinical training & experience
Columbia University
PhD, Clinical Psychology
10+ years
Clinical research, assessment & treatment
NYC experience
Bellevue · LIJ Zucker Hillside · CBT/DBT Associates · Cognitive Therapy for Women
Approaches
CBT · DBT · ACT · Mindfulness
Affiliations
NYC-CBT Association
A perspective shaped by different cultures
My roots are in Taiwan, and I grew up across Asia and Australia before making New York City home.
These experiences have shaped how I think about identity, family, relationships, and the expectations we can carry with us.
I’ve also experienced what it’s like to have assumptions made about you. That’s one reason I place such importance on understanding your perspective and experience without judgment or preconceptions.
“I’ve learned I have agency — I do have control over my experiences and I can make changes in my life.”
Outside the office
In my spare time, I enjoy H.I.I.T. classes, cooking, board games, exploring new restaurants, and traveling.
I’m fluent in Japanese and once had the privilege of serving as Melbourne City’s Ambassador to Osaka City in the early 2000s.
