MEET OUR THERAPISTS

We’re humans first, therapists second. And we’re here to help you grow, heal, and feel more like you.

Olivia Parsons, MFT-LP

Associate Therapist

IN-NETWORK WITH AETNA

Warm, Structured, Insightful, Grounded

Specialties: Relational Patterns, Life Transitions, Couples Therapy, Anxiety, Burnout, Dating & Relationship Challenges, Stress Management, Communication & Emotional Regulation

Approach: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Relational Therapy, Mindfulness & Nervous System Regulation, Communication & Repair Skills

Clients: Individual clients of all ages + Couples

Vibe: Insightful, structured, and grounded. Real conversations, practical tools, and meaningful emotional depth with space for humor and genuine connection.

Best for: People trying to make sense of the patterns shaping their relationships, stress, and life transitions so they can feel more grounded, secure, and aligned in how they live and connect.

“I bring warmth, structure, and genuine curiosity to help you understand the patterns shaping your relationships and stress. Together, we slow things down, make sense of what keeps repeating, and build practical tools that help you feel more grounded, secure, and aligned.”

Current Openings for Weekday + Evening Appointments (In-Person + Virtual)

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Kate van der Merwe, LMSW, a therapist in NYC. She is a young woman with long, wavy red hair and blue eyes smiling outdoors, wearing a black top with green trees in the background.

Kate van der Merwe, LMSW

Associate Therapist

Warm, Intuitive, Active, Engaged

NOW IN-NETWORK WITH AETNA

Specialties: Anxiety, Body-Image, Life Transitions, Trauma Recovery, Relationship Dynamics, Perfectionism

Approach: Relational, psychodynamic, DBT, ACT, CBT, mindfulness-based

Clients: College students + adults

Vibe: Compassionate, real, and ready to challenge you to go deep

Best for: People tired of performing and ready to feel more at home in themselves

“I know how exhausting it can feel to keep everything together while struggling silently beneath the surface. I offer a space where you can exhale, be fully yourself, and feel less alone in it all.”

Current Openings for Weekday Mornings and Evenings

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Smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a white button-down shirt and black jeans, sitting on a beige couch in a well-lit room.

Whitney Vairin, LMSW

Associate Therapist

NOW IN-NETWORK WITH AETNA

Steady, Reflective, Grounded, Thoughtful

Specialties: Self-Worth, Burnout, Identity Exploration, Perfectionism & People-Pleasing, Life Transitions, Relationship Dynamics

Approach: Psychodynamic, Relational, Somatic, Mindfulness, Parts-Work

Clients: Teenagers (13+), college students, and adults.

Vibe: Slow + steady support with deep emotional attunement

Best for: High-functioning New Yorkers ready to feel more like themselves again

You don’t have to figure everything out alone. Therapy with me is a space where your full experience is welcome—messy, complicated, and all.”

Current Openings for Afternoon + Evening Appointments

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sliding scale therapist NYC

Emma Hodge, MSt

Advanced Clinical Fellow

Reflective, Warm, Insightful, Narrative-Minded, Inquisitive

Specialties: Self-Worth, High/Over Achieving Students + Young Professionals, Perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome

Approach: Psychodynamic, Relational, Humanistic, Narrative Therapy

Clients: Teenagers (14+), college students, emerging adults, + young adults

Vibe: Warm, reflective guide who helps you make sense of your story

Best for: High and overachievers who’ve spent years striving and performing for everyone else—and are craving a space to slow down, drop the mask, and reconnect with their real selves.

“Every story has turning points — even burnout has a backstory. My goal is to help you understand yours, the moments that shaped you, so you can write the next chapter with more intention and self-trust.”

Offering Reduced Rate Therapy

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sliding scale therapist NYC

Olivia Newman

Advanced Clinical Fellow

Empathetic, Collaborative, Curious, Warm

Specialties: Burnout, Self-Esteem + Body Image, Relationship Dynamics, Life Transitions, Anxiety + Overthinking

Approach: Psychodynamic, Relational, CBT, ACT, Humanistic

Clients: College students, young adults, + couples

Vibe: Insightful and validating with a soft but strong presence

Best for: Over-thinkers and overachievers navigating school, work, and relationships

“You don’t need to have it all figured out to start. Therapy with me is a space to slow down, reflect, and feel supported—especially if you’re used to holding it together for everyone else.

Offering Reduced Rate Therapy


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Tara Cooney

Clinical Fellow

Grounded, Thoughtful, Insight-Oriented, Authentic, Compassionate

Specialties: Anxiety, Corporate Burnout, Relationship Dynamics, Life Transitions, Identity Exploration, Chronic Stress, Overthinking

Approach: Relational, Psychodynamic, Person-Centered, CBT-Integrative, Mindfulness & Nervous System Regulation

Clients: Adults across all life stages, young professionals, professionals navigating career stress, individuals experiencing life transitions and relationship challenges

Vibe: A calm, thoughtful therapist who helps you understand the patterns beneath your stress so you can move through life with greater clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

Best for: Adults who are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, career burnout, relationship challenges, or major life transitions

"I believe meaningful change happens when we understand the patterns beneath our struggles. My goal is to help you develop greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and self-trust so you can build relationships and a life that feel more aligned with who you truly are."

Offering Reduced Rate Therapy


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ClaraGrace Pavelka, LMSW

Associate Therapist

IN-NETWORK WITH AETNA

Warm, Insightful, Compassionate, Grounded

Specialties: Body Image Concerns, Disordered Eating, Perfectionism, Anxiety, Self-Worth, Burnout, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Emotional Regulation

Approach: CBT, DBT Skills, Trauma-Informed Therapy, Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation & Distress Tolerance, Insight-Oriented Therapy

Clients: College Students, Young Adults, Adults (with a focus on women)

Vibe: Gentle, warm, and deeply affirming. A space to slow down, untangle the pressure you’ve been carrying, and make sense of the thoughts and patterns that keep you stuck. Therapy here blends emotional depth with practical tools, always with compassion, honesty, and zero judgment.

Best for: Women and young adults who feel stuck in perfectionism, anxiety, body image struggles, or disordered eating patterns and want to better understand themselves while building healthier ways of coping.

“I bring warmth, curiosity, and practical support to help you make sense of the patterns keeping you stuck. Together, we slow things down, understand what developed for a reason, and build tools that help you feel more grounded, confident, and at home in yourself.”

Current Openings for Evening Appointments Monday-Wednesday (Virtual)

NYC psychologist dr. Melissa Gluck

Dr. Melissa Gluck, PhD

Founder | Licensed Psychologist

Warm, Direct, Down-to-Earth, Collaborative

Specialties: Relationship Patterns, Attachment Issues, Self-Worth, Trauma Recovery, Grief & Loss, Life Transitions, Family Conflict, People-Pleasing

Approach: Psychodynamic, Relational, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Solution-Focused

Vibe: Real talk + humor with deep emotional insight

Best for: NYC professionals struggling with dating, relationships, self-worth, and anxiety

“I show up with warmth, honesty, and zero judgment. Our work will be a space to slow down, get curious, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that feel lost or stuck.”

nyc therapy waiting room

FIND YOUR THERAPIST

Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither are we.

At Gluck Psychology Collective, each therapist brings their own personality, specialties, therapeutic style, and areas of expertise. Whether you're looking for support with anxiety, relationships, burnout, trauma, life transitions, or personal growth, we want you to find someone who feels like the right fit.

Not sure who to choose?

If you’re not sure who’s the best fit (we know how overwhelming finding a new therapist can be), fill out our quick inquiry form, and we’ll recommend someone based on your needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Our NYC Therapists