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.”
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)
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
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
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
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
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)
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our NYC Therapists
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.