Not knowing what will be asked of you can make it hard to get in touch, especially when the subject is something painful. This page describes how trauma therapy is set up in Dr. Rabin's practice, along with what official sources say to expect from psychotherapy and from an assessment in general.
Other therapists work differently. Types of trauma therapy and what the research says compares the main approaches, and what to expect in your first therapy session is a general walk-through.
What happens on the consultation call?
Dr. Rabin offers a free consultation of about 15 minutes before any appointment. It takes place by phone, and you request it through the contact page.
You can use the call to ask how she works. Her trauma page says the client decides what is discussed and when. How to choose a trauma therapist has a list of questions to bring.
What are the first sessions like?
Sessions with Dr. Rabin are usually weekly and last 45 to 50 minutes. The rest of this section is a general description of psychotherapy and assessment, taken from the American Psychological Association and the VA. It does not describe her sessions.
The American Psychological Association describes psychotherapy this way: "Psychotherapy isn't about a psychologist telling you what to do. It's an active collaboration between you and the psychologist."
If an assessment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is part of the early work, the VA's National Center for PTSD says it involves answering questions about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It tells patients: "You will be in control of how much information you share about any traumas you experienced. You can always ask to take a break if helpful."
On confidentiality, the American Psychological Association's general description is that it is part of a psychologist's professional code of ethics, with limits. Its example: "If you reveal that you plan to hurt yourself or others, for example, your psychologist is duty-bound to report that to authorities for your own protection and the safety of others." It lists other limits as well. That is a general description for the United States. This guide does not set out Massachusetts confidentiality law, so ask any therapist how confidentiality and its limits work in their practice. If you are having thoughts of suicide now, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.
What does the work look like in Dr. Rabin's approach?
Her approach to trauma therapy is psychodynamic, attachment-based, trauma-informed and mindfulness-based. Her page describes it as guided by three things:
- Safety. The work builds trust and stability before approaching painful material.
- Pacing. It moves at your pace. You decide what is discussed and when.
- The therapeutic relationship. The work is guided by the relationship between you and the therapist.
Her page speaks of hypervigilance, numbness and disconnection, trouble trusting, intrusive memories, flashbacks and nightmares, avoidance, and a harsh inner critic and shame, in college students and adults.
Dr. Rabin trained at The Trauma Center and has over 21 years of clinical practice. Her background is on the about page. She is a psychologist and does not prescribe. If medication is part of your care, she can coordinate with your prescriber.
What does the research say about this way of working?
The honest answer is that it has been studied much less than some other treatments. U.S. guidelines most strongly recommend specific trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD. The 2023 guideline from the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense (VA/DoD) gives its strong recommendation to cognitive processing therapy, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and prolonged exposure. The American Psychological Association's 2025 guideline gives its strong recommendation to cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and a conditional one to EMDR.
Both guidelines place psychodynamic therapy under insufficient evidence to recommend for or against. The American Psychological Association's panel looked for studies and "found that there was still insufficient literature that met the criteria to be able to make a recommendation regarding psychodynamic approaches." It has called for clinical trials. Insufficient evidence means too little good research. It is not proof that an approach fails, and it is not an endorsement.
The VA also tells patients: "At this time, there is no scientific way to know which PTSD treatment will work best for you as an individual." It describes choosing as shared decision-making, in which you and your provider decide together.
This guide makes no statement about whether Dr. Rabin offers any named trauma-focused treatment. If you want one, ask her directly whether she offers it or would refer you, as you would ask any therapist. Trauma-informed vs. trauma-focused therapy explains the labels.
Can sessions be in person or online?
Both are available. Dr. Rabin sees clients at 1577 Beacon Street in Brookline and by secure telehealth. For telehealth you need to be physically in Massachusetts during the session.
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists takes the position "that the practice of psychology occurs where the patient/client who is receiving the services is physically located at the time of service." That matters for students who go home to another state and for people who travel. See online therapy in Massachusetts for more.
How do you know whether it is helping?
No therapist can promise a result or a date. The VA's overview of PTSD describes results that vary from person to person, including people who "find they have fewer symptoms or feel that their symptoms are less intense." That is the VA's general statement about PTSD treatment. It is not a prediction for you or a claim about any one approach.
The VA lists measured progress among its signs of good PTSD care. One way, it says, is to fill out a brief questionnaire from time to time. It adds: "If you are not seeing the results you want, you and your provider can talk about other treatment options to try." You can ask Dr. Rabin how she would check progress with you.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) gives similar advice: "If you have been in therapy for what feels like a reasonable amount of time and are not getting better, talk to your therapist. You might want to explore other mental health professionals or approaches."
The sources for this guide give no typical length for psychodynamic or open-ended trauma therapy. How long does trauma therapy take? looks at the numbers that do exist, and 8 signs therapy is working describes what progress can look like.
What does it cost?
Dr. Rabin's fee is $375 per session. The practice is private-pay and out-of-network. She provides a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and a sliding scale is available on request. The fees and insurance page has the details.
The simplest way to find out whether her approach fits you is the free consultation of about 15 minutes, which you can request on the contact page.
Keep reading
Sources
- American Psychological Association, Understanding psychotherapy and how it works (last updated December 12, 2023)
- VA National Center for PTSD, How Is PTSD Assessed? (last updated September 25, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder (June 2023)
- American Psychological Association, Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults (2025)
- VA National Center for PTSD, Choosing a Treatment (last updated September 25, 2026)
- Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists, Board policies and guidelines for psychologists (telehealth policy updated October 2015)
- VA National Center for PTSD, PTSD Basics (page header: Last Updated October 2026)
- VA National Center for PTSD, Signs of Good PTSD Care (last updated September 25, 2026)
- National Institute of Mental Health, Psychotherapies (last reviewed February 2024)
- Larsen SE, Wiltsey Stirman S, Smith BN et al., Symptom exacerbations in trauma-focused treatments: Associations with treatment outcome and non-completion. Behav Res Ther (2016)
Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.
