Sandplay therapists in New York

My name is Niloofar. My name means Waterlilies in my native language, Farsi. I'm a board-certified and Licensed Art Therapist (ATR-BC, LCAT), A passionate dreamer, and a sucker for creativity, stories and adventure.  

From the outside, it may look like you’re doing everything right. You work hard, care deeply, show up for others, and hold yourself to high standards. You notice the details, strive to do your best, and rarely settle for “good enough.” These qualities can be powerful strengths—but they can also leave you exhausted when the pressure to get it right starts taking over. Maybe you overthink decisions, replay conversations, worry about disappointing people, or constantly wonder if you’re doing enough. Maybe you’ve accomplished a lot but still feel like you should be doing more. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and there’s nothing wrong with you. I specialize in working with perfectionist and high-achieving teens and young adults who are navigating anxiety, self-doubt, overthinking, people-pleasing, academic pressure, and the expectations they place on themselves. I don’t believe perfectionism is something you need to get rid of. I see it as a superpower. Therapy is an opportunity to understand your perfectionism, recognize the strengths underneath it, and learn how to use those strengths in ways that support the life you actually want. Together, we’ll build self-trust, confidence, flexibility, and self-compassion—without asking you to become less ambitious or care less. As a therapist and dance/movement therapist, I believe your body has important information that your mind may be overlooking. My approach is warm, collaborative, creative, and practical, combining talk therapy with mindfulness and body-based techniques. Therapy with me isn’t about becoming a different person. It’s about feeling more comfortable being the person you already are. You don’t have to choose between being successful and feeling good. You can keep your drive, your high standards, and the parts of perfectionism that make you who you are—while creating more space for confidence, connection, flexibility, and joy.