About
I help families navigate mental health, and I help clinicians do the same.
I'm Grace Berman, a licensed clinical social worker based in New York. I work as a therapist, but most of my energy goes into public education: helping families understand and navigate the mental health challenges of modern life, and helping clinicians build skills to serve them well.
Why I do this work
I got into this field because I care about helping people recognize their own bravery and resilience. There's nothing more rewarding than watching a client overcome a challenge they thought was insurmountable. That feeling of "I can't do this" turning into "I did it" is why I show up every day.
But I've also realized that individual therapy can only reach so many people. The real leverage is in public education: giving families the tools they need before things get to crisis point, and training clinicians to be more effective in their own work. That's why I co-direct the Community Education program at The Ross Center, teach at Columbia, and write about the intersection of mental health and technology.
What I believe
The middle path is usually the best path. Technology isn't inherently harmful, and it doesn't need to be banned. But it presents real challenges for developing minds, and families need strategies to navigate it thoughtfully, not fear it or ignore it.
I believe in evidence-based approaches: treatments that have been tested and shown to work. I believe in meeting people where they are, validating their struggles before offering solutions. And I believe that parents aren't failing; they're doing hard work in an unprecedented environment.
When it comes to emerging technologies like AI, I'm both excited and cautious. I signed an open letter advocating to protect children from AI companions, and I'm co-authoring a series on AI ethics in mental healthcare. We can embrace innovation while setting thoughtful limits.
Where I work
Current Role
Co-Director, Community Education
The Ross Center, New York
Academic
Adjunct Professor
Columbia University School of Social Work
Professional Service
Public Education Committee
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Training
Advanced Clinical Fellow
Yale Child Study Center
Clinical expertise
Anxiety disorders
Social anxiety, phobias, GAD, selective mutism
OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adults
ADHD
Attention, executive function, behavior
Trauma & PTSD
Trauma-informed care across ages
Parenting support
Strategies for anxious and challenging kids
Technology & mental health
Social media, screen time, AI
Evidence-based approaches I use
What I've built
At the Child Mind Institute, I co-founded the DBT in Schools program, bringing dialectical behavior therapy skills into school settings. I spent five years there splitting my time between the Anxiety Disorders Center and School and Community Programs.
Now at The Ross Center, I lead school partnerships and community education programming, creating practical training for educators, parents, and caregivers. I also offer free webinar series on topics like parenting a child with ADHD.
Most recently, I've been writing about AI ethics in mental healthcare with colleagues from ADAA and IOCDF. It's cutting-edge territory, and clinicians need frameworks to navigate it responsibly.
Let's connect
Whether you're looking for resources, interested in training, or want to discuss speaking opportunities.