Rivka Schaffel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Touro University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. She completed her graduate clinical training at Progressive Psychological Healthcare and is grateful to continue serving clients within the practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Rivka is also certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Prior to and throughout her clinical training, Rivka worked extensively with children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. These experiences strengthened her belief in each child’s capacity for growth, connection, and resilience. She is passionate about helping her clients recognize their strengths, build skills, and move toward meaningful growth.
Therapeutic Approach:
Rivka takes a warm, collaborative, and developmentally attuned approach to therapy. Her work is grounded primarily in Adlerian theory, emphasizing encouragement, connection, belonging, and understanding each child within the context of their family system and social environment. She believes children are inherently goal-oriented and capable of meaningful growth when they feel understood, supported, and empowered.
Her therapeutic approach also incorporates person-centered, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and play-based interventions tailored to each client’s unique needs. Rivka focuses on supporting emotional regulation, communication, social development, self-esteem, and healthy self-expression through engaging and relationship-centered therapeutic work. She is especially passionate about creating an environment where neurodivergent children feel heard, respected, and empowered to express themselves authentically.
Currently working with: Children, Adolescents, Adults
Specializations:
Trauma, Emotional Regulation, Communication Skills, Self-Esteem, Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Skills, Behavioral Challenges and ADHD
