Clinician

Ilana Laurence

MHC-LP

Prior to joining USP as a Mental Health Counselor, I spent eleven years as Dean of Student Life at Grace Church School. After many years of organizing emotionally supportive programming for groups of students, parents, and faculty, I found myself increasingly drawn to providing personalized mental health care for individuals.

What should I expect in our first session?

From the moment we meet, my hope is for you to feel cared for and unconditionally accepted, without reservation or judgment. Our first session is for you to share what has brought you to therapy, and for us to construct a plan for working collaboratively towards your goals. I will also encourage you to envision the ways in which your life will feel different after we have worked together successfully.

How do you describe your therapeutic approach?

I prioritize the creation of a warm and supportive therapeutic relationship as the foundation of any treatment plan.

What do you specialize in?

As a woman who changed careers in midlife—and as the mother of two young adults and the daughter of two elderly parents—I find myself drawn to working with people who are navigating the complexities of life’s transitions.

In addition, after years of working in an NYC independent school, I’ve become particularly attuned to the emotional needs of adolescents and adults hailing from high-achieving communities. I recognize the risks associated with rising rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and substance abuse reported within this population, and I strive to enable my clients of all ages to develop emotional awareness, resilience, self-confidence, and healthy coping strategies.

In another life, if you weren’t working in counseling, what would you be doing?

I started doing ceramics in my 40s as a way to express my creativity and practice being present in the moment. Now that I have my own little studio and kiln, I think that in another life maybe I’d explore my interest in business and open a small ceramics shop.

What’s something your clients might be surprised to learn about you?

I’m bilingual in French and English and a dual citizen of France and the United States. Before I turned my professional focus towards promoting social-emotional health and wellness, I was a French teacher for 10 years.

What is a self-care ritual you practice?

I like to go running in Prospect Park.

I spend my free time doing ceramics.

Experience and Accolades

  • Dean of Student Life Emerita at Grace Church School
  • Recipient of three Master’s degrees
  • Volunteer Baby Cuddler in the NICU of New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
  • Professional member of the New York Mental Health Counselors Association

Pronouns

She/Her

Languages

English, French

Education

BA in psychology (Vassar College), MA in French cultural studies (NYU), Master of Education in world language education (NYU), MHC (Brooklyn College, 2025)

Works With

Adolescents, Adults

Style

Interested in working with Ilana Laurence?

Experience and Accolades

  • Dean of Student Life Emerita at Grace Church School
  • Recipient of three Master’s degrees
  • Volunteer Baby Cuddler in the NICU of New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
  • Professional member of the New York Mental Health Counselors Association

Get in touch

We provide personalized, hands-on care

Reach out to us using any of the contacts below or our general contact form.