MEET OUR THERAPISTS

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

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.”

A pixelated, abstract beige shape with a textured, curved edge.
NYC psychologist dr. Melissa Gluck

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)

A pixelated image of a beige, crescent-shaped object resembling a croissant or pastry.

Close-up of a woman with dark hair, glasses, and earrings smiling in a cozy, well-lit indoor setting.

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

A large, curved, tan-colored object with a textured surface.
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.

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

The image shows a plain, solid gold-colored, half-circle object with no distinct features or details.

sliding scale therapist NYC

Emma Hodge, MSt

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


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 + adults

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


A young woman with blonde wavy hair smiling and sitting with her arms crossed, wearing a white blouse with ruffled details at the collar and black pants, against a dark background.

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 therapy waiting room

FIND YOUR THERAPIST

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

At Gluck Psychology Collective, we’re like the farmer’s market of therapy: fresh and full of options you didn’t even know you needed. Various styles, specialties, and price points mean you don’t just find a therapist—you find your therapist.

Scroll down, meet our team, and see who stands out. Check out their bio to get their vibe and book a FREE 15-minute consult.

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.

Black and white abstract pattern with organic, irregular shapes radiating from a central point.
A black and white silhouette of a butterfly with detailed wing patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our NYC Therapists

  • Finding the right therapist is less about finding the “perfect” person on paper and more about finding someone you feel safe, understood, and comfortable opening up to.

    At Gluck Psychology Collective, we help match clients based on:

    • personality and therapy style

    • what you want support with

    • scheduling needs

    • insurance and budget

    • emotional fit and energy

    Some clients want a therapist who is more insight-oriented and exploratory. Others want someone more direct, grounding, or practical. During the consultation process, we help guide you toward the therapist who feels most aligned with what you need right now.

  • Several therapists at Gluck Psychology Collective are in-network with Aetna.

    We also offer:

    • out-of-network therapy options

    • reduced-fee therapy with advanced clinical fellows

    • support navigating reimbursement questions

    Insurance availability varies by clinician, so we’ll help clarify options during the consultation process.

  • Yes. Therapist fit matters enormously.

    Sometimes finding the right therapeutic relationship takes time, and we want clients to feel comfortable being honest about what is or is not working. If needed, we can help transition you to another clinician within the practice who may feel like a better fit.

  • Absolutely. Many of our clients are navigating the specific emotional pressures of living and working in New York City:

    • burnout culture

    • dating fatigue

    • loneliness despite constant social interaction

    • career pressure

    • comparison culture

    • perfectionism

    • difficulty slowing down

    • balancing ambition with emotional wellbeing

    Our therapists understand the realities of NYC life while helping clients create more sustainable, grounded ways of moving through it.

  • Therapy is not about telling clients what to do. Instead, therapists help clients better understand themselves, recognize patterns, build self-trust, process emotions, and make decisions that feel more aligned and intentional.

    That said, sessions are often interactive, collaborative, and supportive rather than purely passive listening

  • The consultation is a brief, low-pressure conversation where we learn more about:

    • what’s bringing you into therapy

    • what you’re hoping to work on

    • preferences for therapist style

    • scheduling and insurance needs

    • whether in-person or virtual therapy feels best

    The goal is not to “prove” you need therapy. It’s simply to help determine whether we feel like a good fit and connect you with the right therapist for your needs.

    Your free 15 minute phone call will be with Dr. Gluck and she will match you with your therapist.

  • Therapist credentials reflect different training paths, licensing stages, and areas of specialization — but the “best” therapist is not always the person with the longest title. Often, the most important factor is feeling safe, understood, and connected in the therapeutic relationship.

    At Gluck Psychology Collective, all clinicians are trained, supervised, and selected for warmth, relational skill, and clinical quality.

    PhD / Psychologist

    Psychologists complete doctoral-level training and extensive supervised clinical experience. They often specialize in deeper relational work, trauma, psychological assessment, and complex mental health concerns.

    LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker)

    LMSWs are licensed therapists with master’s-level clinical training who provide psychotherapy under supervision while working toward advanced licensure. Many specialize in anxiety, burnout, relationships, trauma, and emotional support.

    MFT-LP (Marriage & Family Therapist - Limited Permit)

    MFT-LPs are therapists trained through a relational and systems-based lens, often focusing on couples therapy, attachment, communication, family dynamics, and relationship patterns.

    Associate Therapist

    “Associate Therapist” is typically a practice title used for licensed clinicians who see clients independently within the practice while continuing to grow their clinical experience and specialties.

    Clinical Fellow

    Clinical Fellows are advanced graduate trainees completing supervised clinical hours. They work closely with licensed supervisors and often provide reduced-fee therapy options.

  • Sometimes — especially for evaluations, specialized trauma work, or certain insurance requirements. But research consistently shows that one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy is the relationship between therapist and client.

    The best therapist for you is usually the one you feel comfortable being honest with, week after week.

  • Yes. Therapy rates at Gluck Psychology Collective vary depending on the clinician’s:

    • level of training and licensure

    • specialization and experience

    • insurance participation

    • session format and service type

    We intentionally offer a range of fee options to help make therapy more accessible.

    Our practice includes:

    • doctoral-level psychologists

    • licensed therapists

    • associate clinicians

    • advanced clinical fellows offering reduced-fee therapy

    Because of this, clients are able to choose from different support options depending on their needs, preferences, and budget.

    We also have several therapists who are in-network with Aetna, as well as lower-fee therapy options through our supervised Clinical Fellows program.

    During the consultation process, we’ll talk through:

    • what type of support you’re looking for

    • insurance and payment options

    • scheduling preferences

    • personality and therapist fit

    • budget considerations

    Our goal is to help connect you with a therapist who feels like the right fit both clinically and financially.

  • Yes. Gluck Psychology Collective offers reduced-fee therapy through our Clinical Fellows program.

    Clinical Fellows are advanced graduate trainees who work under close supervision from licensed clinicians. This allows us to provide more affordable therapy options while still maintaining strong clinical support and training.

    Reduced-fee therapy can be a great fit for clients seeking:

    • affordable therapy in NYC

    • therapy for students or young professionals

    • lower-cost anxiety or relationship therapy

    • support while navigating financial stress

    We’re happy to discuss current availability and fee options during your consultation.