Leonard Grubstein, LCSW

When I first went to Leonard I expressed my concern for being evaluated for ADHD. At 37 this is something I have been waiting to get an answer for since I was a teenager - my mother did not believe in ADHD or treating it at the time. When I asked a doctor at 19 I was shut down with an accusation. So, it's been a tender topic. I immediately brought this up, but was also concerned about Anxiety. Through several sessions it was apparent that my concern for this did not matter at all. I was told we would explore it later, and it never was talked about again. I have been asked by dozens of people, including some of my providers at Oschner, if I have ADHD. Something it seems I won't ever get an answer, advice or help for. During sessions I had trouble with what to talk about. I was fearful of even being in his office. At some point last year depression took me deep and I tried to take my life. During this time I saw Mr. Grubstein and in his office sat in the corner, shaking uncontrollably. We had a discussion about PTSD during this time. Soon after I attended the Intensive Outpatient Program at Oschner and through that was diagnosed with C-PTSD. I had really good discussions with the resident doctors in the program, and a couple of so/so one's with Dr. Scott Lavie. When I returned to Mr. Grubstein and mentioned this his response was "who told you this because we did not discuss this". I was confused and at that moment and from there lost most of my faith in this process with Mr. Grubstein. During therapy we worked on some CBT, however the exercises did not change and in the end I started saying what Mr. Grubstein wanted to hear so that I could get it over with. We simply disagreed on what I believed and what he wanted the "alternate thoughts to be" (I consider that a lie if it's not truthful). When I felt all I could do was mask in his office to get through, I thought "why even continue?". After my attempt at taking my life I did get a very insincere "just know that you are not alone in this world" and a few other phrases that came out like a script and were actually told to the computer screen, not directly to me. At the end of each session he does ask for feedback, and I regret that I couldn't give any at the time Most of my feelings about therapy came to me after I left and was able to reflect on the session. I later told my Psych NP that I hated therapy, but that it was mostly me. I still think it is - Mr. Grubstein can and has probably helped thousands of individuals, but unfortunately we aren't a match. The appointments available at Oschner are actually almost non-existent for therapy. So getting in to talk to your therapist last minute isn't almost never an option. This is not the fault of the therapists - this is the fault of Oschner. Shame on them for not providing adequate mental health care and availability to its patients. Lastly, I had seen a therapist in 2020, one time. When I called Oschner at the beginning of 2023 to get into therapy and see a different therapist (during that one session the therapist I saw kept forgetting what he asked, and spaced out several times.). I have been reassured that sometimes it takes a few therapists to find someone that is good for you. I was told that because I had seen this therapist in 2020, I could not see another provider without them releasing me or a supervisor's permission. No wonder so many people quit therapy. I was told I would get a call back with the answer (this was the beginning of February, I believe.) I called in May and was told that the therapist I had been seeing had passed away a few days after I called initially. No one called me about anything and there was no follow-up on my inquiry for a new therapist. On the phone I was able to get scheduled in July 2023 for my first session with Mr. Grubstein. He was my ONLY option. The woman on the phone told me that "it looks like it worked out in my favor". What a horrible thing to say to anyone - no one wishes for the passing of good people, and this did not work out in my favor.

I’m a firm believer in the therapeutic power of having a GREAT therapist. Leonard G. is very easy to talk to. He takes diligent notes as I speak, while making me feel like I have his full attention. We’ve only met a few times (so far), but I’m in it for the long hall. I expect he will ask me all the right questions, so that I can find the right solutions to my problems - past, present & future. I highly recommend working with Leonard G. Patient since 2023.

Leonard Grubestein has been my therapist for five years now. I struggle with several serious mental health issues and have been on Federal disability for 10 years because of my mental health. In addition, I have been to the hospital atleast 7 times in my life because of these issues. I moved to New Orleans 5 1/2 years ago and was lucky to find Leonard Grubestein early on. He is the best therapist I have ever had in my 30+ years in therapy. I see him once a week and he has taught me many skills that have helped me manage my illness. Since I started to see him I have not been to the hospital at all. He pulls ideas from all different types of information and has tailored these ideas to help with my specific problems. He incorporates CBT, DBT, and Mindfulness just to name a few. I truly feel if I had not been fortunate enough to find Leonard Grubestein I would be permanently hospitalized. I highly recommend him as a therapist. If you are looking for someone kind and patient with an excellent set of skills who truly wants to help you then Leonard Grubestein is your guy.