Last edited 09/11/2025
Identifies As
She / Her / HersWomanMulticultural/MultiethnicBIPOC
Get To Know Me
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
My path to becoming a therapist was shaped by an awareness of how challenging it can be to find support that truly understands the layered experience of navigating multiple cultures, languages, and identities. For individuals with multicultural, multiethnic, or multilingual backgrounds, therapy can sometimes feel like yet another space where you're expected to explain or justify your experiences—especially when those experiences are deeply nuanced or culturally rooted.
That understanding has led me to create the kind of therapeutic space I often found was missing—one where clients don’t have to translate parts of themselves to be seen. I’ve always been driven by a desire to offer the care, curiosity, and cultural sensitivity I believe should be the standard. At the heart of it, I became a therapist to help create the change I want to see in the world: more access, more compassion, and more spaces where people can show up fully as themselves.
Location
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Specialties
Specializes in
Relationship IssuesAdoption & foster careTraumaCoping SkillsNeurodiversity
General Expertise
DepressionAnxietyLoss/GriefSelf-EsteemBorderline Personality DisorderRace & Cultural IdentitySocial AnxietyADHDAdolescent mental healthAttachment issuesAutism spectrum disorderObsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)Phobias & fearsStressCouplesFamiliesHighly Sensitive PersonSchool IssuesBurnout
Treatment Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)PsychoanalysisMindfulness PracticesStrength Based TherapyAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Art TherapyAttachment-Based TherapyCompassion-Focused TherapyCulturally Sensitive TherapyDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyExperiential TherapyExposure and Response Prevention (ERP)Family Systems TherapyGestalt TherapyImago Relationship TherapyInterpersonal PsychotherapyJungian TherapyMarriage and Family TherapyMindfulness-Based Cognitive TherapyMotivational InterviewingMulticultural TherapyMusic TherapyNarrative TherapyPerson-Centered TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Brief TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior TherapyCreative Art TherapyPlay TherapyNeurodiversity-Affirming
Clientele
Types of Therapy
Family TherapyCouples CounselingIndividual TherapyGroup TherapyChild Counseling
Serves Ages
ParentsYoung Adults (18-24)Adults (25-65)Seniors (65+)Children (5-12)Adolescents (13-17)
Languages
EnglishSpanishFrench
Insurance & Fees
Insurances Accepted
CignaCarelon Behavioral HealthEmpire Blue Cross Blue ShieldHighmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cash Pay Rates/Out-of-Pocket
| First Session: | $100 |
| Family Therapy: | $118 |
| Couples Counseling: | $118 |
| Individual Therapy: | $80 |
| Group Therapy: | $35 |
| Child Counseling: | $80 |
Professional Background
LicensureNew York, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, 002783
Training/CertificationsMandated Reporter, Child Safety, Continued Education in Trauma, Motivational Interviewing, Suicidal Ideation, Bullying, Crisis Protocol (abuse, neglect, suicidal ideation). I administered many crisis trainings in schools and community centers for all staff and families.
Education
Pratt Institute, Master of Professional Studies, Creative Arts Therapy, 2021 — During my graduate training, I worked with students, families, and educators in both school and community-based settings as an art therapy intern providing therapy and SEL workshops. My thesis explored the relationship between handedness and creative expression and the overall impact environment may have on the brain and ways in which humans navigate the world. Upon graduation, I received the Silver Circle Award for academic excellence, earning a 3.98 GPA and graduating at the top of my class.
Smith College, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Major and Fine Arts Major, 2019 — My undergraduate studies included a concentration in Abnormal Psychology, with a focus on research and case studies related to OCD, anxiety, and hoarding behaviors. I also completed coursework and applied study in exposure therapy, social psychology, and child and human development, which helped build a strong foundation for understanding behavioral patterns across the lifespan. Alongside this, my concentration in Fine Arts often intersected with principles of Creative Arts Therapy, exploring how the creative process can be a powerful tool for expressing identity and processing both internal and external experiences.
Work HistoryOver the course of a decade, I’ve had the opportunity to support individuals with a variety of backgrounds and in a wide range of settings—including camps, clinical teams, the foster and adoption system, schools, shelters, and community-based programs. I’ve worked with children, teens, couples, families, and school staff navigating specific disorders, crisis, trauma, identity development, emotional regulation, and major life transitions. I’ve supported youth and families impacted by community violence, including gang involvement, navigating complex trauma, grief, and cycles of survival. In both individual and group settings, I’ve seen how powerful the creative process can be—especially when words may not be able to communicate experiences. Many individuals I've worked with involved immigration, cultural adjustment, and navigating life in a new language. Many of the people I support speak English as a second language, and I’m mindful of the ways language, identity, and expression intersect in the therapy space.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not uncommon to have questions before starting therapy.
Ms. Lena Gruber, LCAT, has answered a few of the questions they receive most often from new clients.
Is Lena Gruber accepting new clients?
Yes, Lena Gruber is accepting new clients for online therapy in New York.
Does Lena Gruber accept insurance?
Yes, Lena Gruber accepts insurance, including Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
What types of therapy does Lena Gruber offer?
Lena Gruber offers therapy for children, couples, families, groups and individuals.
Does Lena Gruber offer in-person appointments?
No, but people in New York can book Lena Gruber for virtual appointments (teletherapy).
Does Lena Gruber offer online therapy?
Yes, Lena Gruber offers online therapy via video sessions, phone sessions and live messaging sessions to people in New York.
How quickly can I see Lena Gruber?
Lena Gruber typically can speak with new clients within 48 hours. You can see their current general office hours and request an appointment on their profile page.
What languages does Lena Gruber speak?
Lena Gruber conducts therapy sessions in English, Spanish and French.
Can I book an appointment with Lena Gruber online?
Yes, you can easily book an appointment with Lena Gruber online using ChoosingTherapy.com’s directory.