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Leap Well Into Healing and Growth

Led by a clinical leader with 7+ years directing programs at major mental health institutions across the US and Canada — now bringing that expertise to individuals, clinicians, and organizations alike.

Serving Clients from New York, USA & Ontario, Canada

Service available in English & Mandarin

About Me

Lena Gu — LCSW (NY) | RSW (ON)

  • Executive Clinical Leadership: 7+ years as Clinical Director / Program Director at major mental health agencies in the US and Canada — One of few minority immigrant women to hold senior clinical leadership roles at established institutions in North America
  • Deep Clinical Expertise: 10+ years, 10,000+ clinical hours
  • Rigorous Training: Dual Master's in Clinical Psychology and Social Work, at Columbia University, New York
  • Versatile Toolkit: CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, EFT, TF-CBT, Drama Therapy
  • Cultural Attunement: Lived experience as an Asian immigrant woman

Who I Work With The Most

Women & LGBTQ+ Individuals

Navigating cultural expectations while honoring your authentic self

  • Family pressure and intergenerational conflict
  • Cultural identity exploration
  • Pregnancy, postpartum depression, motherhood
  • Balancing tradition and personal truth

You long for: Being seen, understood, and free to be yourself

Anxious Individuals & High Achievers

Excelling on the outside, struggling on the inside

  • Perfectionism, imposter syndrome
  • Work stress and burnout
  • Relationship challenges
  • Family of origin wounds
  • Sleep difficulties

You long for: Inner peace that matches your outer success

Those Healing from Relationship Wounds

Breaking free from patterns that no longer serve you

  • Recovering from toxic relationships
  • Feeling stuck in unhealthy dynamics
  • Setting boundaries you never learned
  • Healing from emotional abuse or betrayal
  • Understanding why you attract certain partners

You long for: Healthy love without the hurt

Immigrants & Cross-Cultural Navigators

Finding yourself between worlds

  • Acculturation stress and identity
  • Isolation and loneliness
  • Grief of leaving home
  • Discrimination and microaggressions
  • Parenting across cultures

You long for: Belonging without losing yourself

What I Offer ① — Therapy Services

Individual Therapy

For adults seeking support with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, cultural identity, life transitions, and personal growth.

Couples Therapy

For partners seeking to improve communication, heal wounds, rebuild trust, or deepen your connection.

Child and Teens Therapy

Help your child or teen develop healthy emotional and relational habits at home and at school.

What Do I Offer ② — Clinical Supervision, Leadership & Consulting

Before founding Leap Well, Lena spent 7+ years in senior leadership roles at established agencies across New York and Ontario. That extensive experience now powers a second track of specialized services for professionals and organizations:

Clinical Supervision

Expert guidance for licensed and pre-licensed therapists, fostering growth and best practices grounded in real-world experience.

Professional Training & Consulting

Tailored solutions for mental health organizations, enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery with proven strategies.

Program Development

Support for agencies in building culturally responsive and impactful mental health programs from conception to implementation.

Workshops & Seminars

Interactive sessions on supervision, leadership, and clinical program management, drawing from direct clinical leadership experience.

If you're a therapist, social worker, or organization looking for practical guidance from someone who has actually built and run these programs — not just studied them — let's talk.

My Therapeutic Style

Gentle Yet Transformative

I practice what's known in Chinese as "润物细无声" (rùn wù xì wú shēng) — nourishing like gentle rain. You may not have dramatic breakthrough every single session (you may get it often though), but when you look back after a few sessions, you'll be surprised how far you've leaped.

Safe, Open, Non-Judgmental

  • Take off your armor and be seen
  • Slow down and feel what you're actually experiencing
  • Try things you wouldn't dare in real life
  • Be completely, authentically yourself

Won't Push You Before You're Ready

I believe in supporting you within your window of tolerance. We move at your pace. If something feels too much, we slow down.

There's no agenda to force you through pain before you're ready.

Collaborative & Empowering

You're the expert on your own life. I walk alongside you, not ahead of you.

I bring professional expertise and perspective, but you bring knowledge of your own experience, values, and what feels right for your life.

How We Work Together

You've probably heard that therapy has many methods—CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, and so on. But here's what matters most: What works for YOU right now?

I don't believe in one-size-fits-all. I bring together:

  • Science-Driven Evidence-Based Practices: When you need concrete tools and proven strategies
  • Art, Creativity, and Philosophical Exploration: When you need to access what words can't quite reach

Some days you need practical coping skills. Other days you need to explore deeper meanings. I meet you where you are and adjust our approach as you grow.

My Methods Include:

  • CBT, DBT, and ACT for anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) for trauma
  • Mindfulness-based approaches for present-moment awareness
  • Narrative therapy for rewriting your story
  • Drama therapy and creative expression for embodied healing
  • Person-centered approaches that honor your unique journey

Take The First Step

Schedule with Ease, Any Time

Taking the first step is brave—I'm here to make it easy.

You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure we're the right match.

Secure online booking system makes scheduling simple and stress-free. No phone tag, no back-and-forth, it provides instant confirmation with automatic appointment reminders.

Your privacy is paramount. All bookings are encrypted and HIPAA-compliant.

No obligation. No pressure.

Get In Touch

Have questions? Want to learn more about our services? Email me and I'll respond personally within two business days.

lena.gu@outlook.com
Response within 48 hours