Melanie Gruben, M.Ps.S.I.
Hey, I’m Melanie, an autistic, queer, & disabled therapist accredited with the Psychological Society of Ireland.
I create a relaxed, welcoming digital space where you can unspool such issues as burnout, identity, accessibility, institutional stressors like work and school, relationship questions, family, mental health and so much more.
I trained in LGBTQ+ counselling through the Trevor Project out of West Hollywood, California and have been working with queer, trans, neurodivergent, and disabled clients for over five years.
I also work with young people as well as their families.
As a humanistic integrative practitioner, I hold that the answers to your problems are within you, and my responsibility as a therapist is to facilitate an environment where they can start to emerge and you can find empowerment and answers.
While I don’t know everything, I facilitate this environment from a place of firsthand understanding of the struggles queer and disabled people face.
Gentleness, kindness, growth
I often tell clients that between us, they are the expert on their own lives. Well then, what AM I an expert on?
On top of my psychology education, my skill is relating. I am sensitive, communicative, compassionate, gentle, eloquent, playful, direct, and, when the time comes, fully able to kindly hold up the mirror up to you to reflect growth opportunities back to you.
I do my best to make therapy a space where we can work things out if there is ever a misalignment, and I invite feedback periodically.
I promise to respect my own boundaries in the context of the therapeutic relationship, and in turn, I hope the space can become one where you can practice setting your own.
The gentle, clear, boundaried relationship we form can even become a blueprint for other parts of your life, all going well.
What would it be like to feel totally safe with a therapist?
A special 1:1 space for young people
The joy of being a good adult in the life of young people has brought me back to youth work again and again. I believe we all have a responsibility to bring the next generation of young people safely into this troubled world and I love being a part of a team to help do so.
I’m a playful person, and I’m also unapologetically queer and autistic. These traits help me make an online youth therapy space that’s flexible, open, and real.
If you’re a parent or a young person, expect sessions to put the client’s story, needs, and autonomy first, within the bounds of safeguarding.
We start out with online games and art and then the young person is in the driver’s seat for building the therapeutic space.
In this metaphor I’m the driving instructor – together we will get them on the road safely.
Are you wondering about my politics?
Get an idea of my outlook in this blog post about the future of the world and how to thrive in dystopian times.
Wondering what people think of me?
Read additional testimonials on this page.
The Nitty Gritty
Bachelor’s
Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ | Bachelors of Science in Psychology, 1.1
Master’s
University of Limerick | Master of Science in Psychological Science | 2.1
Continuing
IICP College | Higher Diploma in Science in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Studies | 2026 Expected