Rachel Moheban Wachtel, Therapist in New York and New Jersey

Rachel Moheban Wachtel

For twenty six years, I have been dedicated to helping individuals and couples heal from pain holding them back from reaching their full potential and enjoying life. I partner with my clients to help them achieve intimacy, satisfaction and success in their relationships and lives.

I’ve always had an innate curiosity in how people become who they are and how their pain, challenges and expectations form and change them. I’m incredibly passionate about seeing people have a deeper understanding of what they’ve experienced or are experiencing, and move towards positive change and healing. My goal is to help people evolve and guide them towards healing so they could live their best life.

I followed my passion and graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in Social Work. My specialties are Couples/Marital Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Divorce Counseling and Anxiety Disorders.

My Approach:

It’s important to find the right therapist fit. My approach is humanistic and highly interactive—in other words, I do not sit back quietly. Instead, engage with my clients, constantly giving them active feedback and helping them develop skills. I believe establishing a non-judgmental environment and actively offering feedback and guidance is essential to the healing process.

I have extensive post-graduate training in various modalities and couples and marital programs, including Emotional Focused Therapy, Gottman therapy, Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), and Imago Therapy. (These research-based modalities have been proven to help increase communication and help couples connect and improve emotional attachment.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

As a certified Emotionally Focused Therapist, I help couples reduce conflict while helping them creating a more secure emotional bond. Couples learn to express deep, underlying emotions from a place of vulnerability to ask for their needs to be met. Partners begin to view undesirable behaviors (i.e., shutting down or angry escalations) as “protests of disconnection.” Couples learn to be emotionally available, empathetic and engaged with each other, strengthening the attachment bond and safe haven between them. Emotionally Focused Therapy is generally considered to be successful in showing a significant increase in empathy behavior in couples. EFT is best known as a cutting-edge, tested and proven couple intervention.

Gottman Therapy 

I am certified in Gottman Method Couples Therapy which is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationship, and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to “disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy; and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.”

Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT)

As a trained Imago therapist, I help couples relate to each other in a healthier way. Imago relationship therapy IRT) aims to equip couples with the tools necessary to have better communication and reveal the emotional pathway formed in childhood that led them to their current situation.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)

I am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which is a focused approach to treating traumatic and other symptoms by reconnecting the client in a safe and measured way to the images, self-thoughts, emotions, and body sensations associated with the trauma, and allowing the natural healing powers of the brain to move toward adaptive resolution. It is based on the idea that symptoms occur when trauma and other negative or challenging experiences overwhelm the brain’s natural ability to heal, and that the healing process can be facilitated and completed through bilateral stimulation while the client is re-experiencing the trauma in the context of the safe environment of the therapist’s office (dual awareness). Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy some people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference.

I use EMDR to treat trauma, anxiety and other mental health conditions.  I believe EMDR can be very effective alongside and in combination with other treatments.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

I am certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy, during which clients and therapists works as a team to identify and solve problems. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a scientifically tested form of psychotherapy that is effective for many different disorders and problems. CBT is a solution-focused approach to treatment, oriented toward solving problems and learning skills.

Divorce and Family Mediator

As a trained Divorce and Family Mediator a neutral third party, I meet with you and your spouse to discuss and resolve the issues in your divorce. As a Divorce and Family Mediator, I serve as a facilitator to help you and your spouse figure out what’s best. This process is much preferred and less expensive than a court trial or series of hearings. It allows you and your spouse to arrive at a resolution based on your own ideas of what is fair in your situation, instead of having a solution imposed on you. This process also helps to improve communication between you and your spouse, helping you avoid future conflicts and is also always in the best interest of children.

I partner with and am on the advisory board of FamilyKind a nonprofit organization that provides many services including workshops across the country to individuals during and after divorce and separation, all on a sliding scale so everyone can benefit. With FamilyKind’s support, families are able to resolve issues cost effectively and explore mental health promotive methods during challenging times.

Watch FAQ about Couples/Marital Counseling

Drawing from these and other approaches, I will collaborate with you to break out of negative patterns and habits.

If you are struggling with anxiety and depression, you can learn new, healthier ways of coping. If you are navigating relationship issues, I can help you and your partner work on developing greater empathy, deeper understanding and effective communication. In every case, you can gain insight into your behavior and positively change the dynamics in your relationships and beyond.

The therapeutic process can be an extraordinary experience, allowing you to discover the self-healing power of the mind. Over the years, I have helped hundreds of individuals grow more conscious as they work through challenges, achieve goals, deepen their relationships and redesign their lives. With compassionate support and new awareness, you can enjoy the personal and marital satisfaction you deserve.

Corporate Counseling and Training

I am certified in Critical Incident Stress Management and have worked for over 20 years as a consultant and trainer for various corporations. During periods of crisis, I provide group and individual counseling on site to employees and managers on grief, trauma and work-related issues.

Premarital and Marital E-Course for Couples

I created a self-study audio program for couples and singles called the “Ultimate Relationship Resolution Program.”

This self-help audio program can transform your relationship through a combination of psycho-education, proactive skills and proven techniques. From the comfort of your home or car, or even while exercising, you can use this self-help audio tool kit to make immediate, positive changes in your relationship. You can learn how to effectively navigate and manage the five most common issues that arise in relationships: communication, anger, money, physical and emotional intimacy.

More information about The Ultimate Relationship Resolution Program by Rachel Moheban Wachtel »

“Rachel helped guide me through ending an abusive relationship. She was extremely supportive and empathetic to my situation. I highly recommend her for counseling.”

N.R.

“Rachel helped me work through my depression following my break up with my long-term girlfriend. She helped me understand my brain and emotions and I am much better able to manage my feelings. She is a very engaged and invested therapist and always gives helpful feedback.”

J.B.

“Rachel is a true expert with an amazing energy and knowledge base. Her creativity, supportive nature and incredible authentic personality makes for a perfect environment to transform your relationship. Her dedication and passion alone will move you forward!”

M.J.

“Rachel Moheban-Wachtel is a warm and engaging therapist. Rachel has helped me and my husband to communicate better and we now have a much stronger relationship.”

L.T.

“Rachel Moheban is one of THE best couples/individual therapists I know. My husband and I initially went to her to talk about the most common pitfalls of marriage and how we can be proactive about them. Of course, no relationship is perfect, but she has changed our lives by changing our mindset to be more aware of our actions and taught us how to better communicate with each other. We are closer and understand each other on a much deeper level because of Rachel.”

S.D.