Therapy with
Dr. Rakhel Shapiro
Experiential psychotherapy for people who want to release the constraints of the past, and live freely — free to want what you want, and free to be who you are.
Many of the people who come to therapy with me are thoughtful, capable, and highly attuned to others. They may have learned early in life to be responsible, accommodating, or emotionally self-sufficient.
And on the inside, they often feel:
Unsure what they truly want
Disconnected from their own pleasure in life
Anxious about making decisions
Self-doubt
Constrained by old relational patterns
Pulled toward people-pleasing or caretaking roles
Burnt out
Weighed down by emotions from the past
Not fully alive
Like something is blocking them from fully expressing their gifts in the world
Therapy offers a space to explore how these patterns formed, and to loosen their hold so you can live with more freedom and self-trust.
Schedule a Free 25-Minute Intro Call
If you resonate with any of this, you can schedule a free, no-pressure conversation with me to explore whether this work is a good fit.
I specialize in working with:
Developmental and attachment trauma
Children of emotionally immature or inconsistent parents
People navigating the impact of early relational dynamics
Those wanting to move from “false self” toward a more genuine self
People seeking deeper self-trust
People who have experience with meditation and are looking for additional support
People who want to build lives shaped by desire rather than constraints from the past or demands from others
Many of my clients have already done personal growth or have prior experience in therapy. They found that talk therapy and solitary meditation and self-reflection to be helpful, but there are still stuck places they would like support to move through.
My work is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and relational psychotherapy.
In therapy, we:
Explore the different parts of who you are, and develop a more intimate relationship with all the parts of yourself
Develop a compassionate relationship with your inner world
Witness how early relationships and experiences shaped current patterns
Gently unburden parts carrying shame, fear, loneliness, unworthiness, and any other feelings and beliefs that are constraining you
Support the emergence of a more authentic, grounded sense of self
Support changes in action and behavior so your life really shifts
Strengthen your ability to trust yourself
Through our work, clients often notice:
Greater clarity about what they want
More self-compassion
Increased ability to set boundaries
Less guilt around prioritizing themselves
More access to creativity, desire, and pleasure
A steadier sense of internal security and trust
Feeling lighter and less burdened by the past
Freedom to try things they want to try, even if it might mean making a mistake
Freedom to make life choices based on what they want and enjoy, rather than fear or obligation
A feeling of becoming more fully themselves
Enjoying their lives more
What sessions with me are like:
Experiential rather than purely analytical. We’ll be with the different parts of you, not just talk about them
Integrating somatic awareness. We’ll practice being with sensations in your body, and integrate that with talking and meaning-making
Client centered. I take your lead about what’s important to you, and respect that you are the leader in your life
Trauma informed. We’ll set the pace intentionally based on listening to what facilitates growth and healing, and what feels like too much
Non-pathologizing. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you! I think you had experiences that were harmful, and experiences where you didn’t get what you need. We can now provide the care that was missing.
Practical details:
Location: Virtual therapy for folks throughout New York State
Length: 60-minute sessions
Fee: $250 per session
Insurance: Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement. I work under the supervision of Dr. Daria Chase
Sliding scale: A limited number of spots are reserved for those with financial need
This is a self-pay practice designed for people seeking specialized, depth-oriented care.
Introductory Call
Your free 25-minute intro call is a chance to:
Share what you’re hoping to work on
Ask questions about the process
Get a feel for our fit
Schedule a first session, if it feels like a good fit!
This is a free, no pressure call. If you’re curious, you’re welcome to schedule an intro call and we can talk through your questions and desires together.
I’m looking forward to getting to know you, and exploring how our work together can support you!