Eliot LeBow LCSW, CDCES

Diabetes is a 24/7 job that you never applied for and can’t quit. Having lived it for four decades, I’m here to help you move from simply managing a diagnosis to reclaiming your identity and your joy.

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Eliot LeBow LCSW, CDCES's style

Why Eliot LeBow LCSW, CDCES chose to be in the helping profession

Living with diabetes for more than 40 years has taught me that this condition is never just about the numbers on a glucometer. It is a 24/7 mental and emotional marathon that touches every part of daily life, from how you think and feel to how you relate to the people around you. My own experience showed me the “silent toll” that fluctuating blood sugars can take on a person’s spirit. I chose the helping profession because I saw firsthand how often the medical system focuses on treating the body while the emotional and psychological impact is left largely unaddressed.

My path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Care and Education Specialist was guided by a simple goal. I wanted to be the clinician I wish my family and I had decades ago when we were learning how to live with this condition. Over time, I recognized a real need for what I think of as a holistic bridge in healthcare. It is a space where people are supported not only in managing a diagnosis, but in learning how to live well and thrive in spite of it.

I understand the invisible weight that often comes with this journey. The trauma, frustration, and daily exhaustion can build over time and sometimes lead to burnout, anxiety, or depression. Diabetes does not only affect the person living with it. It also touches the lives of partners, parents, children, and loved ones who carry their own worry, guilt, and uncertainty.

I entered this field to help individuals and families find a clearer path through these challenges. Together we work to make sense of the emotional impact, strengthen coping tools, and build a more sustainable way forward. My practice is grounded in the belief that while diabetes may be part of your story, it does not have to define the life you create. You deserve a life shaped by your strengths, your relationships, and your potential.

Eliot LeBow LCSW, CDCES's approach

My therapeutic approach is grounded in the belief that managing a chronic condition like diabetes requires far more than reviewing medical data. It calls for a deep understanding of the human experience behind the numbers. Having lived with diabetes for over 48 years, I do not just see a diagnosis when someone walks into my office. I see the constant, 24/7 mental and emotional marathon that can shape your mood, your relationships, and the way you see yourself over time.

At the heart of my work is an integrated approach to care. Together, we look at the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects of living with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, while also addressing the everyday life challenges that exist outside of the diagnosis. Diabetes rarely lives in isolation, and the stress of managing it often overlaps with work, family life, and personal struggles. My goal is to create a space where all of those pieces can be explored and supported at the same time.

I also approach this work through a family systems lens. Diabetes does not only affect the person living with it. It often touches the entire family, shaping how loved ones worry, respond, and try to help. When it is appropriate for a client’s situation, we look at these dynamics together and work to ease the guilt, pressure, and constant concern that family members may carry, helping the whole system move toward a healthier balance.

Education and empowerment are also central to my practice. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Care and Education Specialist, I bring practical knowledge and evidence based tools that help you better understand your health and feel more confident in managing it. My perspective is also shaped by decades of personal experience living with diabetes, which allows me to meet clients with genuine empathy and understanding of the invisible weight this journey can carry.

Ultimately, our work together focuses on helping you and your family move beyond simply coping with the condition. The goal is not just to survive the daily complexities of diabetes, but to build a life where you feel capable, supported, and able to thrive in every area that matters to you.

What you can expect from sessions with Eliot LeBow LCSW, CDCES

When you step into my practice, you are not just meeting with a clinician. You are connecting with someone who truly understands the day to day reality of living with diabetes. After more than 48 years with this condition, I know how constant and demanding the experience can be. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, supported, and genuinely understood as we work through the emotional and practical complexities of life with a chronic condition.

Our work together begins with a foundation of empathy and shared understanding. Because I have lived this journey myself, you do not have to spend time explaining the logistical challenges or the constant decision making that diabetes requires. Instead, we can focus on the emotional weight that often goes unspoken. Many people carry burnout, frustration, and the silent toll of fluctuating numbers for years without feeling fully understood.

I approach therapy with what I think of as a whole person perspective. While we certainly address diabetes education and daily management so your routine feels more stable, we also make space for the parts of life that exist beyond the diagnosis. Career stress, relationship dynamics, family responsibilities, and personal growth are all part of the picture. You are not defined by diabetes, and our work reflects that.

Our sessions combine thoughtful conversation with practical, evidence based tools you can use in everyday life. Together we develop strategies to manage diabetes related anxiety, frustration, and depression. We also work on cognitive tools that help shift how you view your health, your challenges, and your future. The goal is to leave each session with insight as well as practical steps you can carry forward.

At the heart of this process is empowerment. The aim is not simply to help you manage a diagnosis, but to help you feel more steady, capable, and in control of your life. Over time, many people find that the overwhelm begins to ease and that living with diabetes feels more manageable and less isolating.

When appropriate, we can also look at how diabetes affects the entire household. Loved ones often carry their own worry, guilt, and frustration, even when they are trying their best to help. By bringing those dynamics into the conversation, we can create a healthier framework that supports both you and the people who care about you most.

Eliot LeBow LCSW, CDCES's experience working with the Jewish community

Having served the Jewish community for many years, I have developed a deep understanding of the cultural and religious nuances that can shape the mental health journey for individuals and families. My work often includes supporting Jewish adults and teens who are navigating the complicated intersection of identity, community expectations, and health. For some young people, this may also include facing school based antisemitism or bullying that can arise when faith intersects with a visible health condition like diabetes. These experiences can add another layer of emotional stress to an already demanding condition.

I also recognize that in many parts of the community, mental health struggles are still surrounded by stigma. Concerns about privacy and confidentiality can be very real, and many individuals worry that seeking help might lead to being labeled or misunderstood within their social or family circles. These fears can make it harder for people to reach out for support, even when they are struggling. Creating a space where clients feel safe, respected, and protected in their vulnerability is something I take very seriously.

My approach is collaborative and grounded in cultural sensitivity. Together, we work through the balance between secular, Western trained therapy and a deep respect for rabbinical guidance and Jewish law. At times this may include discussing questions around medication, navigating community expectations, or thoughtfully planning treatment and diabetes management around religious holidays and observances. These conversations are approached with care and respect for each client’s personal beliefs and level of observance.

By offering a culturally aware and supportive environment, I help clients bridge the space between their religious values and their mental health needs. The goal is for individuals to feel understood not only as people managing a health condition, but also as members of a community with meaningful traditions and responsibilities. In this way, therapy becomes a place where both personal well being and cultural identity can be honored and supported together.

Eliot LeBow LCSW, CDCES's Book Recommendation Zone

• "Parenting Children with Diabetes" by Eliot LeBow
  This book offers parents a 360-degree perspective of what is happening to their child as they grow into and grow up with diabetes, from diagnosis to monitoring and controlling their blood sugars to their exposure to other people’s opinions in schools and other common situations as to how they should handle their diabetes. This book provides parents with special tools, insights, and education so they can more confidently and effectively communicate, understand, and empathize with their child's experience with diabetes and their child's relationship with the world around them.
• "Bright Spots & Landmines" by Adam Brown
  Spots & Landmines to help shift the focus of diabetes management from frustration to empowerment. Instead of obsessing over high blood sugars or perceived failures—what we call "Landmines"—we work together to identify the specific behaviors, meals, and mindsets that lead to stable numbers and positive moods. By identifying these successful moments, or "Bright Spots," you can begin to replicate them, creating more predictability and significantly reducing the mental exhaustion that comes with constant correction.
• "The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World" by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
  It works with families dealing with guilt, frustration, and the "silent toll" of chronic illness. It provides a structured way to process the anger and "why me?" feelings that often lead to depression in people with diabetes. It's also excellent for family members who are trying to navigate the guilt of a child's diagnosis or the strain on a marriage. It offers a practical roadmap for healing relationships that have been strained by the constant stress of health management.

Approaches

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Life Coaching
• Person-Centered Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy

Concerns

• Addiction
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Chronic illness
• Codependency
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Emotion regulation
• Mood Disorders
• Parenting
• Relationships
• Stress management
• Trauma

20 years in practice

Licenses

• LCSW by New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions 2025-2028. License number 078246

Degrees

• MSW by Fordham University 2006

Certificates

• Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) 2023-2028

Average costs per session

$350 - $450

Payment Methods

• Sliding Scale
• Free consultation
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Zelle Quick Pay