Erica Gardner-Schuster(She/Her/Hers)
Master of Arts (MA) - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
New York
Perfectionism- Relationship issues- Trauma-Social anxiety-Life purpose & meaning-Loneliness-
Erica Gardner-Schuster
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(She/Her/Hers)
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Professional statement
Dr. Erica Gardner-Schuster is a clinical Psychologist and group therapist located in New York, NY. Dr. Gardner-Schuster enjoys supporting clients through transitional stages, including the natural life transitions that occur in a person's twenties, thirties and forties.
Many of her clients seek group therapy services to boost their self-esteem and confidence. Others want to grow their resilience and learn how to better cope with disappointments, frustrations or difficulties in their lives. Dr. Gardner-Schuster specializes in relationship issues such as conflict, toxic patterns, codependency, trauma or feelings of unfulfillment. Clients learn how to cope effectively when they feel overwhelmed through honoring their emotions, bodies, stories and relationships. Dr. Gardner-Schuster has particular expertise in social anxiety, bullying, empowerment, identity, Women's issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, perfectionism, shame and existential/spiritual crises.
Dr. Gardner-Schuster works from an integrative framework to facilitate personal growth and to help individuals cultivate more fulfilling relationships and lives. She has extensive training in psychodynamic, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and more. Dr. Gardner-Schuster is an anti-racist whiteness educator and trauma consultant. Dr. Gardner-Schuster believes that moments of crisis and crossroads in life - when faced with courage, honesty and compassion - provide unique moments for healing and transformation.
Dr. Gardner-Schuster has a PhD in Psychology. She trained at Columbia University, Harvard University, The New School for Social Research, NYU-Bellevue and McLean Hospital. She has served as President of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society, Instructor of Group Therapy at The New School, and Associate Editor for GROUP journal.
Dr. Gardner-Schuster offers group teletherapy (sometimes combined with individual or couples therapy). She welcomes your reaching out to talk about how Group Therapy can help you heal and experience more connection and meaning.
Work and Education
Years of Experience: 10 years
Columbia University, Counselor
Massachusetts General Hospital, Clinical Research Coordinator
McLean Hospital, Mental Health Counselor
Germaine Lawrence, Mental Health Counselor
The New School, Faculty, Counselor
Bellevue Hospital, Psychologist
Madison Park Psychological Services, Psychologist
Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society, President, Associate Editor of GROUP journal, Board of Directors
The New School for Social Research, Clinical Psychology, 2018
The New School for Social Research, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Counseling, 2016
Harvard University, Health Sciences, 2010
Columbia University, Psychology, 2004
Licensure
New York: 024130Languages
EnglishSpecialties
Perfectionism - Coping with feelings of anxiety, stress, self-criticism, and procrastination; addressing unrealistic expectations of one’s self and negatively comparing self to others
Relationship issues - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating
Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse
Social anxiety - Helping clients increase confidence and ability to interact with others amidst fear of being judged, worry about embarrassment, or concern about offending others
Life purpose & meaning - Exploring one’s beliefs and values around life purpose, meaning, and spirituality; addressing the barriers to living a life that feels fulfilling, including instigating change or developing new habits
Loneliness - Developing an understanding of one’s loneliness, including its origins and how it impacts daily life; decreasing the occurrence of loneliness by addressing barriers to social connection and practicing coping skills
General expertise
Treatment approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Chairwork
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Couples counseling
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
- Existential Therapy
- Gestalt Therapy
- Humanistic Therapy
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Jungian Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
Clientele
- Adults (24+)
- Couples
- Seniors (65+)
- Young adults (18-24)
- Loveland Therapy Fund Clients
Locations & Hours
I lead therapy groups for life transitions, relationships, dating, breakups/divorce, identity, loneliness, trust, codependency, work, anxiety, depression & trauma. I look forward to hearing from you!
Insurance
- Aetna
- Harvard Pilgrim
- Optum
- Oscar Health
- Oxford Health Plans
- UMR
- United Healthcare
Out-of-pocket fees
- Individual sessions:$175 (25min)
- Sliding scale:$75 - $175
- Group sessions:$100 (75min)
- Group Sessions (Sliding Scale)$75 (75min)
- Individual Sessions (Sliding Scale)$125 (20min)
Additional session information
Out-of-network billing options
This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:
Payment options
- Credit Card
Session frequency
Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Every other week
- Every other month
- Multiple times a week
- As needed
Therapist's note
I aim to provide high quality, affordable group therapy, including by offering sliding scale/reduced fees. Please contact me to discuss more.
Therapy Groups
20s/30s/40s Therapy Group
A safe, empowering space for 20s/30s/40s to support each other and create lives of greater purpose, courage & love. Members foster more fulfilling relationships through "here and now" interpersonal process, emotional honesty and relational mindfulness.
20s/30s/40s Therapy Group (Mixed Gender, Race, & Sexual Orientation)
An empowering space for 20s/30s/40s to support each other in creating lives of greater purpose, courage and love. Members foster more fulfilling relationships through "here and now" interpersonal process, emotional honesty and relational mindfulness.
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20s/30s Women's Therapy Group (Mixed Race & Sexual Orientation)
A safe, empowering space for women to support each other in creating lives of greater purpose, courage and love. Members foster more fulfilling relationships through "here and now" interpersonal process, emotional honesty and relational mindfulness.
Women's Therapy Group (Mixed Age, Race & Sexual Orientation)
A safe, empowering space for women to support each other in creating lives of greater purpose, courage and love. Members foster more fulfilling relationships through "here and now" interpersonal process, emotional honesty and relational mindfulness.
Life Transitions, Breakups, Divorce Therapy Group (Mixed Age, Gender, Race, & Sexual Orientation)
An empowering, supportive space where members create a new chapter navigating life transitions, including divorce. Members foster more fulfilling relationships through "here and now" interpersonal process, emotional honesty & relational mindfulness.
20s/30s Life Transitions & Relationships Therapy Group (Mixed Age, Gender, Race, & Sexual Orientation)
A safe, empowering space for 20s/30s to support each other in creating lives of greater purpose, courage and love. Members foster more fulfilling relationships through "here and now" interpersonal process, emotional honesty and relational mindfulness.
Adult Therapy Group (Mixed Ages, Mixed Gender)
An empowering, supportive therapeutic community to help members navigate parenting, relationships, life transitions, & mental health issues. Members foster more fulfilling relationships through "here and now" interpersonal process.