Lena Gu
If you’re here, something might be off. Maybe it’s stress or anxiety that won’t go away. Maybe it’s relationship or family conflict, work pressure, or feeling stuck in a place you can’t name. Or it may be something heavier — crisis, trauma, PTSD, deep loss, sickness, or major life change. Whatever it is, I’m here to help.
I have particular expertise with women, teenagers, elders, couples, immigrants, Asian/AAPI, LGBTQIA+, and those navigating cross-cultural, racial, or gender-based challenges.
I bring over a decade of experience as a therapist and served as Clinical Director at one of the largest Asian mental health clinics in US. I have particular expertise with women, teenagers, elders, couples, immigrants, Asian/AAPI, LGBTQIA+, and those navigating cross-cultural, racial, or gender-based challenges.
First session
In our first session, you can expect a warm, grounded space where you feel heard and understood without judgment. We’ll slow down, explore what brings you to therapy, and begin making sense of what you’re experiencing. Together, we’ll identify practical ways to navigate difficult emotions without feeling overwhelmed by them. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out. We’ll move at your pace, building a foundation of trust and safety while discovering what healing and growth might look like for you.
Strengths
There are many therapeutic approaches out there. I’ve trained in a wide range, and I have a full toolkit. But honestly, that’s not what matters most. What matters is what actually works the best for you. We’ll figure that out together — at your pace, in a way that fits your needs. “Client-centered” isn’t just a buzzword to me — it’s the heart of how I work. We’ll start by creating a safe, grounded space where you can slow down and make sense of what’s happening. Then we build practical ways to cope — such as to face emotions and not feel overwhelmed by them. When you’re ready, we’ll explore deeper layers of your experience — places that may feel unfamiliar now, but hold insight, resilience, and room for growth.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are individuals, couples, and families navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, or the pressure to meet competing expectations. I have particular expertise in supporting women, teenagers, older adults, couples, immigrants, Asian/AAPI and LGBTQIA+ individuals, mothers and new parents, as well as leaders navigating the complexities of leadership and team dynamics. Having led teams myself, I understand the unique pressures of leadership, including balancing high expectations, making difficult decisions, and caring for others while managing your own needs. I especially enjoy working with high achievers and perfectionists who may be hard on themselves, feel responsible for everyone around them, or rely on stress and anxiety to stay motivated. I also support clients navigating cross-cultural, racial, gender-based, and intergenerational challenges. My ideal clients are curious about understanding themselves more deeply, building healthier relationships, and finding a more compassionate and authentic way to live and lead—one that honors their identities and values without sacrificing their well-being.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I see therapy as a collaborative relationship built on empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. I strive to create a space where you feel safe to explore your experiences without judgment or pressure. Rather than assuming I know what is best for you, I work alongside you to understand your needs, values, and strengths, supporting you in developing greater self-awareness and finding a path forward that feels authentic to you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients understand the connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs that may contribute to anxiety, perfectionism, self-criticism, or relationship difficulties. Through practical strategies and collaborative exercises, clients can develop more balanced perspectives, build effective coping skills, and make meaningful changes in their daily lives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate DBT skills to help clients manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, and navigate relationships more effectively. We may work on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. I help clients balance self-acceptance with the desire for change, developing skills to respond to difficult situations with greater awareness and intention rather than reacting automatically.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I use EFT principles to help clients better understand the emotions and attachment needs underlying relationship patterns. With couples, I support partners in recognizing cycles of conflict, expressing vulnerable feelings, and communicating their needs in ways that foster connection and emotional safety. The goal is to help partners move away from blame and disconnection toward greater understanding, responsiveness, and a more secure bond.
EMDR
I use EMDR to help clients process distressing experiences that may continue to affect their emotions, beliefs, and relationships in the present. We begin by establishing safety, emotional regulation skills, and readiness before working with difficult memories at a pace that feels manageable. Through a structured process involving bilateral stimulation, EMDR can help reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories and support the development of more adaptive beliefs about oneself and one's experiences.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- New YorkLicense 097237