Leon  Garber
Vetted

Leon Garber

He/Him/His

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
New York Not Accepting Online

This therapist is currently not accepting new clients. Find available New York therapists on Zencare.

Updated March 18, 2024

Specialties & Expertise

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Self-esteem
  • Narcissistic abuse
  • Imposter syndrome
  • Codependency
  • Perfectionism

Professional statement

Leon Garber is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Midtown, Manhattan specializing in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, and existential challenges. The primary focus of his practice is in helping clients manage anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He works closely with his clients to help decrease self-destructive behaviors, foster self-compassion, and develop healthy coping skills to live happier, more meaningful lives. He also helps clients recover from narcissistic / emotional abuse in relationships with partners, spouses, friends, and/or relatives.

Leon’s approach is grounded in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge clients’ unhealthy behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. For clients with OCD, he utilizes Exposure and Response Prevention, a type of CBT to help clients face their fears in a systematic, gradual manner. He also draws upon Existential Therapy to support clients as they contemplate life meaning and explore feelings of doubt or despair.

Supportive and thoughtful, Leon is dedicated to building a safe space for individuals to openly share their concerns and work toward practical goals. His practice is conveniently located near Penn Station and the 33rd Street subway station.


Message to clients

I help my clients understand how their beliefs (about themselves and others) affect their decisions and how their decisions affect their lives, while also exploring whether those beliefs are more so based on exaggerated fears stemming from past heartaches and trauma or realistic self-conceptions. Additionally, we work on reducing bad habits. This approach is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. And, I specialize in a form of CBT called Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), used to treat OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

In addition to CBT, I help my clients cope with existential issues, focusing on death, lack of meaning, isolation, and the fear of making important choices. We begin with an exploration of one's values (what’s important to her, him, or them), how they developed and whether they contribute to the client's happiness.

My practice heavily focuses on psychological trauma and narcissistic abuse. I help my clients explore and alter the effects of emotional trauma, such as shame, guilt, relationship or attachment insecurity, and a negatively distorted self-image resulting from emotional and/or physical abuse or mistreatment.


Specialties

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Reducing unwanted intrusive thoughts and rituals by gradually building comfort and confidence facing difficult fears, thoughts, and emotions

Self-esteem - Cultivating self-compassion, assertiveness, and confidence; developing ways to reduce suffering, anxiety, social withdrawal, and self-neglect

Narcissistic abuse - Recovery through learning about the underlying reasons for remaining with an emotionally and/or physically abusive partner and how to redirect oneself toward healthy and fulfilling relationships.

Imposter syndrome - Learning how to identify instances of imposter syndrome and combatting any beliefs that one is not enough or does not deserve good things; practicing assertiveness and developing confidence

Codependency - Development of healthy boundaries in relationships; strategies for increasing individual self-esteem and autonomy; coping mechanisms for separation and individuation.

Perfectionism - Coping with feelings of anxiety, stress, self-criticism, and procrastination; addressing unrealistic expectations of one’s self and negatively comparing self to others




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Aetna International
  • Aetna Student Health Insurance
  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna)
  • Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Evernorth
  • FIT Student Health Insurance (Aetna)
  • First Health
  • Humana
  • NYU Student Health Insurance (Wellfleet / Cigna PPO)
  • New School Student Insurance (United Healthcare Student Resources)
  • Optum
  • Oscar Health
  • Oxford Health Plans
  • UMR
  • United Healthcare
  • United Healthcare Student Health Plan
  • Wellfleet

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $100 (45min)

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:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Venmo
  • Zelle
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly

Location(s)

Online Sessions (New York)
Not accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 8:15am-8:00pm
  • Tue Closed
  • Wed Closed
  • Thu Closed
  • Fri 9:00am-8:00pm
  • Sat 9:00am-8:00pm
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Private Practice, 2016 - Present
Interborough Developmental & Consultation Center, 2015 - 2016

Bernard M. Baruch College, CUNY, MA, 2016


Licensure

New York: 008502


Languages

English

Russian


Client testimonials

"He was on it. Every aspect of care."
- Zencare client • October 2022