Rachel Shapiro

I’m someone who believes that insight, self-compassion, and nervous system awareness are powerful tools for change and healing. I have experience working with adults navigating the impact of trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. I help clients uncover unconscious patterns that may be keeping them stuck and work to help them build more choice, connection, and inner calm. I bring warmth, patience, and curiosity to our work together, and I tailor therapy to meet your unique needs and goals. You don’t need to have it all figured out before starting—just a willingness to explore.

I've lived in Buffalo my entire life and have attended small colleges here and still love to call Buffalo home. I know how hard it can be to reach out for help, but therapy doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can be a space where you feel more at home in yourself.

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or challenges like setting boundaries and asserting yourself, therapy can help. Life can be complicated, especially when past experiences continue to shape how you think, feel, and interact with the world. I offer a safe, supportive space where you can explore what’s holding you back and move toward healing.

I offer a practical, insight-driven approach to therapy, incorporating Internal Family Systems (IFS)/parts work, Polyvagal Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), schema therapy, and attachment work. Together, we’ll uncover unconscious patterns, strengthen your coping skills, and help you understand yourself on a deeper level, develop new coping strategies, and create meaningful change.

Healing isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong” with you—it’s about reconnecting with who you truly are. If that resonates with you, let’s talk.

In our work together, you can expect to feel more connected to yourself and more in tune with what your nervous system needs to feel safe and steady. We’ll explore the different parts of you that show up in response to stress or past experiences, and work on building more understanding and compassion for all of them. Over time, many clients find they feel less overwhelmed, more grounded, and more able to respond to life with clarity and confidence—rather than feeling stuck in old patterns.