Rachel Mathew

(She/Her) Accepting New Clients

I have always been drawn to people’s stories; their resilience, struggles, relationships, and capacity to heal and grow. From an early age, I knew I wanted to work in a profession where I could listen deeply and accompany others through life’s challenges, helping them reconnect with the strength and wisdom already within them.

My journey into social work began in India at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, where I earned my master’s degree in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work. Over the past 37 years as a social worker and psychotherapist, including 26 years in private practice, I have had the privilege of supporting children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families through experiences of grief, trauma, transition, and healing.

At the heart of my work is the belief that every person’s story matters. I offer a warm, grounded, and compassionate environment where you can slow down, feel secure, and be truly heard. I make room for what is painful, confusing, or unspoken, while also gently challenging you when it may be helpful—supporting you in recognizing patterns, deepening your awareness, and moving toward meaningful change.

My approach is integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness practices, and Narrative Therapy. I incorporate both practical tools and deeper exploration, honoring each person’s lived experience and the meaning they make of their story.

I work with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and faith backgrounds. I am affirming of neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ identities, and I am committed to creating an environment where every part of who you are is welcomed with respect, dignity, and care.

Throughout my career, I have worked extensively with survivors of family violence and sexual trauma, including serving as Director of Domestic Abuse Services at the YWCA of Greenwich, Connecticut. I have also received specialized training in reproductive and maternal mental health and am deeply committed to supporting individuals and couples through infertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum experiences, and the often-unexpected emotional landscape of new parenthood.

Grief and loss have also been central to my work, whether related to illness, relationships, unexpected life events, the death of a loved one, or the loss of a beloved companion animal. My time as a social worker at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine deepened my understanding of the human-animal bond and the profound grief that can accompany such a loss.

It is a privilege to be entrusted with your story. My hope is to meet you with steadiness, compassion, and curiosity, creating a therapeutic relationship in which healing, self-discovery, and new possibilities can emerge.