Amid the recent market rally, many are searching for signs of optimism to buttress the idea that the economy's on the mend. But in New York City, the financial capital of the world, at least one segment appears to be feeling a distinct lack of confidence: the anxious and sometimes neurotic New Yorkers who unload their worries on their therapists.

Previously, the city's psychologists, therapists and psychiatrists had indicated that the financial meltdown last fall had clearly taken its toll with patients reporting more angst and symptoms, such as trouble sleeping. But now, even as some other data points suggest a brightening in the outlook, New Yorkers seem no less pessimistic at least when they're on their shrink's couch.

There s a lot of anxiety out there, apprehension and just plain fear, said Dr. Rita Bigel-Casher, a psychologist in Manhattan. Everyone I see is really disturbed by the economic downturn, especially people who have lost jobs and have no hope of replacing them.

Those themes came up repeatedly in recent interviews conducted by SmartMoney with more than two dozen therapists in the New York area. Nearly all of them said that the heightened anxiety among their patients since the market crash in October has yet to diminish.

Even though the economy has gone up a bit, people are so uncertain, said Dr. Iris McGuire, a psychologist in Manhattan. And if they got wiped out in the downturn they have nothing to turn around with, anyway.

While getting good news may make people feel a little better in the short term, people are still cautious and don t know if they can celebrate, says Dr. Elise Goldstein a New York-based psychologist.

No demographic seemed immune from worry. The therapists we spoke with described seeing elderly patients worried about their fixed income, college students panicking at the thought of graduation and middle-aged couples reduced to a single income with layoffs.

read "Dow 8000: 5 Reasons Driving the Rally. Meanwhile, a recent New York Times/CBS News poll found some signs of optimism.

But there are downbeat indicators too. When the Conference Board reported the Consumer Confidence Index for March, it seemed to indicate that Americans were either frozen in the headlights or adjusting to the idea of a recession. Numbers were relatively unchanged for March with the index showing a slight increase to 26 up from its all-time low in February of 25.3.

All this has had its impact on therapists, too: "People are wanting therapy more, but they re having a harder time paying for it, says Dr. Jennifer Naidich, a Manhattan psychologist, who says she s seen patients from all economic classes seeking therapy.