Honoring where you’ve been is the heart of my work.

Hi, I’m Rebecca Cohen, clinical psychologist,
and I trust you.

As humans, we face so many moments where we are demanded to give our power away. Whether it’s to a healthcare provider, a teacher, a partner, or an institution—a lot of our current culture supports our surrender to other people’s opinions. As a psychologist, the science says that telling patients what they should do will not only lead them to unsustainable results, but diminish their likelihood of following through. This is why the entire foundation of my practice is rooted in the deep honor I have for all beings. Of course, various traumas can cause us to lose our sense of self, and our power center. Through evidence-based therapeutic tools, I help clients heal through restoring trust in their instincts and intuition, and re-own their power and brilliance, one step at a time.

New-Haven-Connecticut

I grew up in Connecticut,

(Paugussett, Quinnipiac, and Wappinger lands) in an Ashkenazi Jewish family. As a third generation American, most of my ancestors came from Eastern Europe fleeing oppression. While I do hold some privileged identities, my Jewish lineage has also provided me with an intimate understanding of how it feels to be a target of divisive systems. This experience helps me think about the complexity of dualities in our lives: the ways in which seemingly opposite elements can exist and be held at the same time. While many might not think their ethnicity plays a role in their healing, I find this consciousness to be a critical component in my work on interpersonal and systemic levels as we collectively seek deeper understanding, connection, and balance.

Connect with Dr. Cohen

Why cultural competence and inclusion matter in my practice

Whether we acknowledge it or not, we all exist as interconnected beings. Each of us comes from long lines of ancestors whose lives shaped who we are today, and the field of psychology has come to validate the reality of historical and intergenerational trauma and resilience. Further, we all exist in societies that influence our experiences based on the identities that we hold. Critical to our healing is an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and how the systems around us have shaped our experiences. As a therapist, I actively engage these conversations as we explore race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability status, and all other identities that make up your unique tapestry as we reclaim your experiences for your empowerment. Everybody has a role to play in this important work, and our journey together is a safe space to explore and deepen your sense of freedom and connectivity with the world around you.

My experience

 

Education 

Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Psy.D., September 2011

John F. Kennedy University (APA accredited)                

Dissertation Defense Date: April 2011

Dissertation Title: Exploring Multicultural Considerations in Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy

Bachelor of Science- Criminal Justice, April, 2005

Northeastern University, Magna Cum Laude                                                                                                                              

Minors in Spanish and Sociology                                                                                                                         

Certifications

Equine Assisted Mental Health Practitioner

Institute for Human Animal Connection

University of Denver, Colorado.

Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The Child Health and Development Institute of CT

Certified in the State of Connecticut.

Presentations

  • DeCoteau, T., Durbin, S., Cohen., R. Fort Belknap Suicide Crisis Response Training, for the Fort Belknap Mental Health and Medical Providers, August 6th and 7th, 2020

  • Cohen, R.A. (2019, May) Examining Anti-Racist, Gender Affirming, and other Multiculturally Inclusive Ideas and interventions in Implementation of Evidence Based Practices: What do we do well and what can we improve? Poster presented at the 2019 Healing Connecticut’s Children Conference. Hartford, CT

  • Turcios-Cotto, V., Cohen, R.A. (2018, October). Community Health Center Inc, Postdoctoral Multicultural Committee: A Case Study in Increasing Multicultural Competence to Improve Recruitment of Diverse Resident Applicants. Poster presented at the 2018 Connecticut Psychological Association Annual Conference. Haddam, CT

  • Cohen, R.A. (2017, October) Mobile Crisis Intervention on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation. Workshop presented to Behavioral Health Team of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Pine Ridge, SD

  • Kearney, T., Paluso, H., Cohen, R., McCormick, A., Dtkiewicz, D., Porcher, C, Daley, L. (2017, October). Report from the Frontlines: Integrated Care in Community Settings. Workshop presented at the 2017 Connecticut Psychological Association Annual Conference. Haddam, CT

  • Cohen, R.A., & Rowell, J. (2013, October). Introduction to Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. Workshop presented for Therapeutic Riding Instructors and volunteers for Animal Assisted Therapy Services. Woodbridge, CT

  • Cohen, R.A., & Rennie, C.A. (2012, November). Cultural Competence and Ethics in Equine Facilitated Mental Health: Current practice and new directions. Workshop presented at the 2012 PATH International Conference and Meeting. Bellevue, WA

  • Cohen, R.A. (2011, August). Introduction to Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. Didactic training for Predoctoral Interns of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Psychology Internship Program. Standing Rock Reservation, Ft. Yates, ND

  • DeCoteau, T., Taken Alive, N., Cohen, R.A. Durbin, S., Weisz, S. (Discussant) (2011, February) Standing Rock Wellness: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Health Board Behavioral Health Center of Excellence First Annual Behavioral Health Conferences. Rapid City,SD

  • Cohen, R.A. (2009, September). The YTeam in Context: Cultural Considerations. Presented for Clinical Interns at the YTeam East Bay, Richmond, CA

  • Coble-Temple, A., Cohen, R. A., Peace, S. L., Bashnick, E. (2009, July). The Culture of Psychology: Privilege and Oppression in Therapeutic Practice. Continuing education workshop Presented at the Annual Convention of the California Psychological Association, Anaheim, CA. Presentation conducted for World Cultures Course for first year PsyD students, John F. Kennedy University, Pleasant Hill, CA

Awards

  • 2011 Outstanding Dissertation Award-  Graduate School of Professional Psychology, John F. Kennedy University

  • 2009 John F. Kennedy University Student Scholarship

  • 2005 Outstanding Senior Achievement Award - College of Criminal Justice, Northeastern University

  • 2005 Cooperative Education Award, Northeastern University

  •  2005 Thomas E. McMahon Cooperative Education Award, Northeastern University

  • 2003 Northeastern University Presidential Scholar

  •  2000 Ted DeLauro Scholarship, New Haven, CT

  •  2000 Yale Book Award, New Haven, CT

 

Ready to connect?