Christine Catania-Rachlin
With 30 years of experience as a mental health therapist, I bring both deep expertise and genuine compassion to every therapeutic relationship. My guiding principle is simple: lead with respect, meet you where you are, and honor your innate capacity to heal. Over the past decade, my practice has focused primarily on trauma and complex PTSD, working with motivated clients who are ready to move forward. I hold advanced training in Deep Brain Re-Orienting (DBR), EMDR, ego state/parts work, and neurofeedback (offered in person), drawing on the latest developments in relational and interpersonal neurology to inform my approach. I also incorporate mindfulness, EFT, and breath work to support nervous system regulation and mind-body-spirit integration. I have had the privilege of working with a wonderfully diverse range of clients, helping them build healthier coping skills, deepen their relationships with themselves and others, and achieve greater peace and connection in their lives.
I also believe in giving homework or things to focus on in between session as experience has taught me that this facilitates the process.
I believe therapy is about goodness of fit — and I believe my role is not to create dependency, but to nurture your healing process until you no longer need me. The ultimate goal is to help you move past therapy and into the life you want.
First session
During the first session it is imperative a client feel heard and seen. As it is the first session there are many questions for me to ask so I may have the best understanding of what a client expects from sessions and that we both understand the issues which are bringing someone to therapy. I try to ensure this is a comfortable experience, with it being more of a conversation. I want clients to feel comfortable and have a sense I am the correct person for them.
Strengths
My strengths are forming a positive therapeutic relationship and ensuring that the clients I work with felt heard and seen. I work in a collaborative fashion, together we will make choices around treatment interventions and what is working best for any client.
Ideal clients
I am currently accepting clients who are ready to explore and heal from trauma and its lasting effects — including PTSD, complex trauma, childhood wounds, and the ways past experiences continue to shape present-day relationships, emotions, and sense of self. My approach is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and deeply collaborative. I draw from a range of specialized modalities, including: Deep Brain Re-Orienting (DBR) EMDR (certified) Ego state/parts work Neurofeedback (available in person) Alongside these, I incorporate grounding techniques, psychoeducation, and a consistent strengths-based perspective — because I believe healing happens most effectively when clients understand the why behind the work and feel empowered as active participants in their own care. I work at your pace. There is no rushing here. My goal is to ensure that every step of the treatment process is one we navigate and decide on together.
Treatment methods
EMDR
EMDR certified, used in conjunction with mindfulness techniques, and parts work, Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy to work with both trauma and attachment wounding. Deep Brain Re-Orienting Trained newer treatment addressing trauma and dissociation. I also provide neurofeedback for in person clients.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma informed care principals are infused into all aspects of treatement. These include trustworthiness, transparency, mutual collaboration, building supports, ensuring all aspects of the person are taken into consideration of treatment, and
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
A person's culture and social location — the intersecting identities that shape who we are, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, class, ability, and lived experience — are central to understanding each individual as a whole person. I believe the client is always the authority on their own life and experience. I approach this work through cultural humility: a genuine curiosity about how your background, identity, and worldview have shaped you, rather than assumptions based on category or label. This means actively listening, remaining open to learning, and ensuring that every aspect of who you are is treated with respect and affirmed throughout our work together. Cultural humility is not a box to check — it is an ongoing, reflective practice that I believe makes therapy more honest, more relevant, and more effective.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
mindfulness is an important part of therapy to increase insight and awareness, to promote using techniques outside of session, and to assist in the changing of behavior.
Psychoeducation
I ensure that I am providing education on treatment modalities, symptoms, and the rational for treatment planning.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions104 Russell St, Hadley, MA 01035
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- MassachusettsLicense LICSW1031163
- PennsylvaniaLicense CW014501
- VirginiaLicense 0904020565