Rachel Bastien-Chilson, LCSW

Rachel Bastien-Chilson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York who helps people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and major life changes. She takes a steady, compassionate approach and aims to create a calm space where people can be honest about what they’re feeling. Sessions move at a pace that feels manageable, not rushed. Rachel brings curiosity and a bit of lightness to the work.

Her practice focuses on identifying the patterns and beliefs that keep people stuck. She works with whatever shows up in the present - thoughts, emotions, habits, and relationships - and brings in relevant parts of someone’s past when that helps. Therapy is collaborative and strengths-based, with the therapist and client setting practical goals together.

Rachel describes the process as both reflective and action-oriented. Some sessions are inward-facing and exploratory. Others are concrete and skills-focused to help people handle day-to-day challenges.

She has over 11 years of experience in mental health and crisis work. That background informs how she supports people through difficult moments and transitions, including concerns related to abandonment, attachment, caregiving stress, chronic illness, body image, and coping after disasters.

People can expect a warm, steady presence in sessions. Rachel values authenticity and aims to build trust through direct, compassionate conversation. The work is designed to help people notice change, develop new ways of coping, and move toward a life that feels more aligned with their values.

Evidence-Based Techniques and Online Work

Rachel uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that blend reflection with practical change. One common approach focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them against real-life experiences to reduce anxiety and low mood. This helps people notice thought patterns and try new responses.

Another element of her work emphasizes coping skills and behavioral changes, such as pacing activities, problem-solving, and building routines to manage stress, chronic illness, or caregiver burden. These strategies aim to make daily life more manageable while supporting longer-term growth.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Rachel will work with each person to identify goals, try different techniques, and adjust the plan as needs evolve. Clients and therapist decide together which methods feel most helpful.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also offers ways to maintain continuity of care during life transitions and can be combined with practical homework between sessions to support steady progress.