Lena Gruber

Are you a deep feeler, over thinker, high achiever, or people pleaser? Hi- my name is Lena, and I'm a licensed creative arts therapist based in New York with over a decade of experience supporting human development and mental health. My clients are often students, clinicians, creatives, adoptees, BIPOC, and first generation individuals who are navigating identity, relationship dynamics, responsibilities, anxiety, depression, overwhelm, burnout, trauma, or systemic stressors. They are often masking or silencing parts of themselves to meet expectations. Many are seeking a space where they do not have to explain their identities or experiences, where they can feel heard and seen without judgment or fear. They want support, clarity, and autonomy to show up fully both in therapy and in their everyday lives.

If you’re feeling stretched between roles, identities, or expectations, or like certain parts of you rarely get the space to breathe, you’re not alone. Through my work, I’ve seen how therapy can be liberating and powerful when people are given the space and support to show up fully as themselves. Integrating art into therapy can be uniquely effective.

I understand how overwhelming it can feel to carry so much while trying to hold it all together. I offer a compassionate, supportive space where your full self, voice, and unique form of expression are honored. If you’re looking for a space to make sense of things in your own way, you’re welcome to connect with me and discover what therapy can mean for you.

Find out more about my practice and support I offer at my website artoftherapy.org , I offer free 15-minute consultations!

My approach to therapy is client centered, comprehensive, trauma informed, and culturally responsive, rooted in authenticity, curiosity, and deep respect for who you are and your story.

I offer unique understanding of intersectionality rooted in lived experience with a long-standing dedication to human development, attachment theory, and a gathered knowledge of specific cases, treatments, and approaches, I am committed to client-centered care tailored to each individual's needs.

I support you in clarifying what you want from treatment and use empathic listening to deeply understand your needs and preferences. This intentional understanding helps ensure our work is relevant, supportive, and truly centered on you. I value attunement, the ongoing practice of being present, responsive, and emotionally in tune with you. This allows our sessions to evolve with your needs, creating space for whatever is coming up in the moment as well as the deeper threads over time.

Clients can expect a nonjudgmental space where we co-create an environment that fosters emotional safety, self-discovery, and growth. From the start, we’ll establish goals together, guided by what feels most relevant, meaningful, or supportive to you. I provide a flexible and collaborative space guided by your intuition, interests (however specific), perspective, and lived experience. Therapy can include creative processing, externalization, problem solving, talking, goal setting, building coping skills, receiving feedback, or simply being. Depending on your goals, our work may include navigating identity, processing life transitions, reconnecting with your full self, improving self-esteem, or exploring meaningful relationships and roles.

Art is integrated in whatever way feels natural to you, whether as a form of reflection, emotional expression, or an outlet that supports your experience beyond our sessions. Creative tools such as visual art, movement, writing, cooking, film, photography, gaming, and technology can be personalized to meet your needs and interests.

Ultimately, I aim to support deeper self-understanding, greater self-trust, and a stronger sense of agency in your life.