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Whitney Vairin, LMSW

Associate Therapist

NOW IN-NETWORK WITH AETNA

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

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

Hi, I’m Whitney.

You’re insightful, thoughtful, and the friend everyone turns to for advice.
On paper, your life looks great—but internally, it can feel like a different story.

You might find yourself:

  • Overthinking conversations and replaying moments in your head

  • Feeling disconnected from who you really are beneath that “together” exterior

  • Navigating burnout, dating fatigue, a shift in identity, or a deep sense that something just feels off

I work with clients who are ready to go deeper—beyond surface-level fixes—to understand themselves more fully. Whether you're dealing with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or emotional overwhelm, our work is about slowing down, getting curious, and making space for the parts of you that need attention—not judgment.

Together, we’ll blend reflection with real tools so you can start feeling more grounded, more connected, and more like you again.

My Approach

I combine psychodynamic insight with relational depth, mindfulness, and practical tools. My work is grounded in exploring how your inner world, early experiences, and relationship dynamics shape the way you show up in your life today to help you move forward with more clarity and self-trust.

I also integrate:

Somatic Therapy – To bring awareness to what your body might be holding—whether it’s tension, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm—and support nervous system regulation.

Parts-Work (IFS-Informed Parts Work) – To help you understand and connect with your inner parts—like the inner critic, overachiever, or people-pleaser—with compassion and curiosity rather than frustration or judgment.

Mindfulness Practices – To help you pause, notice, and respond rather than react—especially in moments of stress, conflict, or emotional intensity.

This is therapy for people who want more than just coping skills. You’re self-aware and ready to go deeper—to unpack old wounds, unlearn patterns, and reconnect with who you are beneath the “together” exterior.

I bring a warm, collaborative presence and move at your pace—not mine. Therapy with me is a partnership, not a prescription.

What Working With Me Feels Like

I bring a steady, grounded presence to therapy. I’ll sit with you in the grief, confusion, or “stuck-ness” without rushing to fix it.

In a city that never stops, our 45 minutes together become a practice in slowing down, deep reflection, and reconnecting with yourself.

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What We Work On Together

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Credentials

Education

  • Master of Social Work—Columbia University School of Social Work

  • B.S. in Journalism—University of Tennessee, Knoxville

My Toolkit

  • Psychodynamic and Relational therapy

  • Trauma-Informed Care

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Current Roles

  • Associate Therapist—Gluck Psychology Collective

  • LMSW—Mobilization for Social Justice

WHAT TO EXPECT

Frequently Asked Questions About Working With Whitney

  • Whitney Vairin works with teenagers (13+), college students, young professionals, and adults navigating:

    • burnout and emotional overwhelm

    • perfectionism and people-pleasing

    • self-worth struggles

    • identity exploration

    • relationship dynamics

    • anxiety and overthinking

    • communication difficulties

    • vulnerability and trust issues

    • life transitions and personal growth

    Many of her clients are highly self-aware and outwardly “together,” but internally feel emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns that no longer feel sustainable.

  • Therapy with Whitney feels warm, grounding, collaborative, and emotionally honest.

    She creates a space where clients can slow down, reflect more deeply, and better understand the emotional patterns underneath anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and relationship struggles.

    Some sessions focus on insight and deeper emotional exploration, while others focus more on practical tools, boundaries, communication, nervous system regulation, and reconnecting with yourself outside of survival mode.

    Clients often appreciate Whitney’s steady, thoughtful presence and her ability to hold space without rushing to “fix” things immediately. Therapy with her is designed to feel supportive, reflective, and deeply human.

  • Whitney integrates:

    • psychodynamic therapy

    • relational therapy

    • somatic therapy

    • IFS-informed parts work

    • mindfulness practices

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • trauma-informed care

    • Motivational Interviewing

    Her work focuses on helping clients better understand how early experiences, relational dynamics, and internalized pressure may still be shaping the way they move through relationships, stress, identity, and self-worth today.

    She also incorporates nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and parts-work approaches to help clients build greater self-awareness, emotional flexibility, and self-compassion.

  • Yes. Whitney Vairin offers:

    This flexibility allows clients to choose the therapy format that best supports their lifestyle, comfort level, and emotional needs.

  • Yes. Whitney Vairin is currently in-network with Aetna through Gluck Psychology Collective.

    If you have questions about insurance coverage, rates, or finding the right therapy fit financially and clinically, we’re happy to help during the consultation process.

    Book here!

  • Whitney Vairin’s rate for 45–50 minute individual therapy sessions is $225.

    If you have questions about therapy rates, insurance, or availability, our team is happy to help guide you through your options at Gluck Psychology Collective.

    Book your free consult here!

  • Whitney may be a strong fit if you:

    • are highly self-aware but still feel stuck emotionally

    • struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or burnout

    • feel disconnected from yourself beneath a “high-functioning” exterior

    • want to better understand your emotions, identity, and relational patterns

    • are looking for therapy that feels warm, reflective, and grounded

    • want both emotional depth and practical support

    Her approach is especially supportive for clients who are ready to move beyond surface-level coping and better understand themselves with more compassion, clarity, and self-trust.

Let’s Work Together

 If you're ready to explore your story with compassion + curiosity and begin making space for the version of you that’s been waiting underneath—I’d be honored to walk with you. Click the link below to get started.


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