Thomas Grinnell, LCSW - Therapist in New York

About Thomas

Thomas Grinnell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York. He has 12 years of direct counseling experience and focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, and parenting concerns. Thomas uses clear, practical methods to teach coping skills and to support day-to-day problem solving for people facing emotional strain.

He favors a person-centered style that treats the individual as the expert on their life.

Background and approach

That means listening first, then working together to set small goals. Thomas blends approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to offer strategies people can use between sessions. Over a dozen years of clinical work informs his practice.

He has supported people with mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive problems, phobias, and post-traumatic stress, among other concerns. He also brings experience with developmental and intellectual disability issues and with matters related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Sessions mix skill-building and real-life problem solving.

Clients learn ways to manage intense emotions, reduce unhelpful thinking patterns, and build routines that make daily life easier. Thomas emphasizes practical tools that people can try right away. His background in human services supplements his clinical work, giving him experience with system navigation and resource coordination.

Thomas offers sessions in English and provides therapy through several online formats to fit different schedules.

Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and working at the client’s pace. The therapist creates space for people to describe what matters most, and then supports their own solutions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches specific skills to change patterns that cause distress. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, and unhelpful thinking habits.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Thomas will discuss different methods with clients and together they will pick strategies that match needs, goals, and daily routines. He adjusts tools over time so the work stays practical and relevant.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls allow for face-to-face conversation when that feels useful. Phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging give options for shorter check-ins, coaching on hard days, or steady support when schedules are tight. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into family life and other commitments while still working on concrete skills and coping strategies.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does he address?

Thomas works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar and depressive mood concerns, addictions, parenting issues, intimacy and relationship matters, and related problems listed in his profile.

What is his therapeutic style?

He uses a person-centered approach that emphasizes listening and collaboration. Sessions typically combine skill teaching with practical problem solving.

What background does he bring to therapy?

He has 12 years of direct counseling experience and long experience in human services, which informs work with mood disorders, trauma, intellectual disability, and other challenges.

What credentials and region are listed?

He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with license NY LCSW 079421 and practices from New York.

Which languages and international clients are supported?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Thomas offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to meet depending on need and preference.

How are costs and payments handled?

Session cost varies with location and therapist availability and is provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin therapy with him?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Addictions
Anger management
Antisocial personality
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Depression
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
Gender dysphoria
Impulsivity
Intellectual disability
Intimacy-related issues
LGBT
Mood disorders
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Parenting issues
Personality disorders
Phobias
Post-traumatic stress
Relationship issues
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self esteem
Self-harm
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Traumatic brain injury

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 12 years
Licensed: New York
Languages: English

Next step

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