Dr. Deborah Teng is a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety, with a particular focus on social anxiety, ADHD, relationship challenges, self-esteem, and life transitions. She works primarily with young adults and individuals navigating periods of change, helping them feel calmer, more confident, and more grounded in both themselves and their relationships. Known for her warm, steady presence — and a touch of humor when it is needed most — she creates a space where self-doubt can begin to soften.
Many of her clients quietly carry thoughts like: “I don’t want to look stupid if I say the wrong thing.” “If I were more confident, things would be different.” They replay conversations, second-guess themselves, and worry they’re falling behind while others move forward with ease.
Dr. Teng’s work focuses on quieting the internal noise of anxiety while building real-world confidence, emotional clarity, and self-trust. As clients feel steadier inside, they begin communicating more openly, navigating social and professional settings with greater ease, and relating to themselves with more compassion.
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Dr. Teng earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Douglass College at Rutgers University, followed by a Master of Science in School Psychology and a Doctorate in School-Clinical Child Psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University.
She has held key clinical roles at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, where she worked in both intensive outpatient and inpatient settings treating anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, and co-occurring conditions. During this time, she also served as a mentor and supervisor to early-career clinicians, supporting their professional development and commitment to high standards of care.
Dr. Teng is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy, and family systems approaches. She has completed advanced training in clinical hypnosis through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), which she integrates thoughtfully into her work to support emotional regulation, anxiety management, focus, and confidence building.
She remains actively engaged in advanced training and professional consultation to ensure her work reflects current research and best practices, particularly in anxiety treatment and mind-body interventions.
Dr. Teng’s therapeutic perspective is shaped by both her clinical training and a lifelong engagement with holistic and contemplative practices. Raised in an environment that valued integrative approaches to health, including acupuncture, tai chi, and qi-gong, she developed an early appreciation for the connection between emotional and physical well-being.
Her love of travel and experiencing different cultures and spiritual traditions continues to inform her work as a therapist, deepening her curiosity, openness, and sensitivity to the many ways people understand themselves and their relationships. Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Teng is also an avid surfer. Surfing reflects her personal relationship with mindfulness—requiring presence, adaptability, and calm in moments of uncertainty—principles that naturally shape her work with anxiety, ADHD, and social confidence.
In her practice, Dr. Teng focuses on helping clients understand how anxiety, ADHD, and relational patterns show up in both the mind and body. She works collaboratively with clients to build emotional regulation, self-awareness, and confidence, offering mindfulness-based techniques and practical strategies that can be applied in real time. Her goal is not only insight, but meaningful change—supporting clients as they strengthen their relationships, navigate transitions, and move through life with greater clarity and ease.
Dr. Teng provides inclusive, culturally competent care and has extensive experience working with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. Her work is especially well suited for individuals seeking thoughtful, depth-oriented therapy that is also practical, grounding, and transformative.
