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Welcome!
My name is Rachel M. Feldman and I am a New York City and New Jersey based Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), ADHD Certified Clinical Service Provider (ADHD-CCSP), and Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). I work as a neuro-affirming bilingual (Spanish) psychotherapist with a specialization in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and parents. Click here to learn more about my professional background.
Why Psychotheraplay?
Play is not commonly associated with responsible adulthood nowadays. However, there is an increasing need to shift our thinking towards a more playful and curious nature to relieve stress, improve mental health, and enhance overall well-being.
Engaging in a playful approach not only activates the brain in a state of creativity, curiosity, and exploration but also triggers the release of neurotransmitters in the brain's reward centers. This dual effect encourages clients to think outside the box, discover fresh perspectives, and break free from limiting beliefs, ultimately leading to the identification of new solutions to problems. The positive and enjoyable therapeutic experience resulting from playfulness reduces stress, anxiety, and tension, creating a more relaxed and open atmosphere for clients during sessions. This playful environment not only fosters a stronger therapeutic alliance but also encourages clients to fully engage in the therapeutic process.
In my practice, I utilize a combination of Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral (DBT), mindfulness, solution-focused, behavior-analytic, and psychodynamic frameworks to incorporate techniques that encourage stress reduction, emotion management, social-emotional learning, self-awareness, self-growth, and introspection. This is achieved by changing thought patterns through curiosity, acceptance, creativity, and flexibility when facing psychological stresses.
Descriptions of available services can be found here.
Areas of Expertise
Mental Health
Adjustment difficulties
Anxiety
Anger management
Behavior management
Depression
Family conflict
Mood disorders
Mindfulness
Impulse control
Skill Building
Coping skills
Emotional expression
Frustration tolerance
Mindfulness
Parenting
Self-advocacy
Safety awareness
Social-emotional learning
Therapeutic Services
Individual Psychotherapy
Children & Adolescents
Play Therapy
Parent Training
ADHD Evaluations
In today's digital age, social media plays a crucial role in teenagers' lives, raising new concerns for parents. As we recognize the enduring presence of social media, it becomes vital to empower parents with the knowledge and tools to navigate this digital landscape effectively. Throughout the presentation, we will explore the importance of acting as a positive digital role model, fostering meaningful connections, and promoting self-worth and self-esteem in teenagers— all of which help mitigate potential mental health risks associated with social media use. By adopting a proactive approach and encouraging constructive dialogues, parents can collaboratively engage with their teens, promoting responsible social media consumption and supporting their overall well-being.
About Me
I began my journey supporting children as a young adult, working at an Empowered Learning Center in New Jersey. After graduating from Union College, cum laude, I became a substitute teacher at both mainstream and special education schools. This experience helped me realize my passion for helping others and inspired me to apply to graduate school for social work.
I earned my Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Columbia University School of Social Work (CSSW) and had the unique opportunity to have three internships over the two years of schooling. I first interned at Yachad as a vocational counselor wherein I supported young adults with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities at various worksites. Second, I interned at The Moriah School as a classroom assistant providing therapy and behavior interventions for children. Lastly, I interned at the Veterans Affairs Hospital on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit where I conducted psychosocial evaluations, coordinated discharges, created and ran a caregivers support group, and provided Teletherapy and in-person psychotherapy for veterans and their caregivers.
During and after graduate school, I used my extensive background as an equestrian to become a PATH Certified horseback riding instructor for children with disabilities at Flying Manes.
I began working at YAI Center for Specialty Therapy as a bilingual psychotherapist in 2016, where I specialized in working with children, parents, and families impacted by Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. I parted with YAI in 2021 to pursue my private practice full-time.
While working at YAI, I decided to simultaneously pursue certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I graduated with an Advanced Certificate in ABA from Hunter College in 2022. Although I do not use ABA in my practice, my work is informed by the principles of behavior. In 2023 I completed trainings to become an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) and Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). Both of these certification trainings highlight ADHD and Autistic voices to inform a neuroaffirming approach when treating neurodivergent individuals.
I move forward in my journey to best support clients through continued education and training.