“Even at the hardest moments in life, everything you need for happiness is already inside you. My goal as a therapist is to work together with you in whatever struggles you currently face, to uncover your naturally occurring strengths in order to live a full and meaningful life.”
Welcome!
You’re not living the life you want to be living. You’re unhappy, but you’re not sure why. At times, we can feel lost, numb, and disconnected from ourselves. There can be many reasons for this, and through our work together, we will understand what these are and how to reconnect, to live a vibrant, fully embodied life. Perhaps, no matter how many times you talk about past trauma, it still feels raw. Something isn’t healing. Some part still feels stuck. It’s been my experience that trauma lives in the body, as well as the mind, and when we treat only the thoughts or the pictures in our heads, the deepest part of what is hurt sometimes isn’t heard.
Rachel’s Clinical Background
Service Locations
In-Person, Pleasantville New York (Westchester)
Online in New York and New Jersey
Insurance Accepted
Aetna (including PPO, HMO, Meritain Health, 1199 SEIU National Benefits Fund and Aetna Student plans)
Wellfleet Student (NYU, School of Visual Arts, Sarah Lawrence College, etc.)
Northwell Direct
Out-Of-Network Benefits Reimbursement
Therapeutic Modalities
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT)
Psychodynamic
Trauma-Focused
GOTTMAN METHOD FOR COUPLES THERAPY
Clinical Expertise
Trauma
Sexual Trauma
Perinatal and Maternal mental health
Life transitions
Dissociation
Client Focus
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Survivors
People undergoing life changes
Education
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities Women's Studies
Master of Social Work, New York University
Certifications and Training
Basic EMDR Certification
Trauma-Focused CBT
Internal Family Systems Training
Integrating Internal Family Systems Across Clinical Applications
Seleni Institute Maternal Mental Health Intensive: Perinatal Loss and Grief,
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Clinical Training
Languages
English
Frence
Licenses
New York Licensed Master of Social Work
New Jersey (Telehealth) Licensed Master of Social Work
How Rachel Can Support You
I specialize in treating trauma, including childhood sexual abuse, through a holistic approach that integrates EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). These techniques engage both mind and body, addressing trauma at its core. EMDR helps reprocess distressing memories, while IFS focuses on healing and integrating different parts of yourself. My goal is to support you in healing past wounds, so you can embrace the present with a renewed sense of wholeness and empowerment.
Influences: Gabor Maté, Kazuo Ishiguro, Brene Brown, Sue Johnson, Esther Perel
Rachel’s Approach
Entering parenthood can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, from joy to fear, and to question your ability to manage it all. As a mother myself, I deeply understand the profound transition of parenthood. My expertise in perinatal and postpartum care — including support for mood disorders such as anxiety, and depression, difficulty with pregnancy, or experiencing pregnancy loss — allows me to offer compassionate and informed guidance during this critical time. Whether you are adjusting to a new baby, facing infertility challenges, or grieving a miscarriage, I provide a supportive and understanding space to help you navigate these experiences with resilience.
Life transitions, whether starting college, becoming a parent, or navigating midlife, offer opportunities for growth alongside their challenges. These periods often come with uncertainty, anxiety, and fear. I’m here to help you embrace these transitions, transforming potential stress into opportunities for personal development and creativity.
Rituals: journaling, yoga, long walks with my dog, bedtime reading, lighting incense for meditation
Why Work With Rachel?
In our sessions, I am dedicated to fostering a therapeutic space grounded in trust and collaboration. My approach is designed to support you in exploring your inner world, uncovering your strengths, and achieving meaningful change. Together, we will navigate life’s challenges and embrace a fulfilling, connected life.
Library: Set Boundaries, Find Peace (Nedra Glover Tawwab), Hold Me Tight (Sue Johnson), Digital Minimalism (Cal Newport), Break the Cycle (Mariel Buque), Man’s Search for Meaning (Viktor E. Frankl), Tiny Beautiful Things (Cheryl Strayed), What My Bones Know (Stephanie Foo)
About Rachel Winckel
I was raised in Japan and moved to Los Angeles at age nine. In my first career, I worked as a financial planner in Tokyo, specializing in death benefit payouts. This was where I discovered my passion for helping people navigate through grief and it led me back to the United States where I received a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from New York University. Since then, I have further specialized in evidenced-based trauma treatment and couples therapy.
Outside of sessions, you’ll find me enjoying a long walk with my little anxious dog (he’s learning how to set healthy boundaries at the dog park), perusing the cookbook section in my local bookstore, or seeking out the best sushi in town (recommendations welcome!)