About me

I am a licensed psychologist with over 15 years of clinical experience providing counseling and psychotherapy to diverse clients, I am adept at addressing a wide range of presenting problems. I am particularly aware of the needs of attorneys and young professionals. In my previous appointments, I served the mental health needs of Columbia Law School and Georgetown University Law Center and I specialize in working with the concerns unique to lawyers and law students. I am an adjunct professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. I stay abreast of current research and theoretical developments in the field of counseling psychology, which I bring into my clinical practice.

My research, clinical, and educational work have always focused on improving mental health services for LGBTQ+ individuals. I provide affirming, empirically informed, sex positive approach to my work with the LGBTQ+ community.

A former member of the Trauma Team at Counseling and Psychological Services at Columbia University, I have extensive training working with issues of trauma, both past and present.

I am well-versed in women’s reproductive health issues including infertility, pregnancy loss, and postpartum anxiety and depression. I was a member of the Women’s Health Consortium in Washington DC. I taught the class Women and Mental Health at Teachers College, Columbia.

                                                                                                                                                         

  • Ph.D. (2008) University of California, Santa Barbara. Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology. Counseling Psychology Emphasis.

    B.A. (2003) Connecticut College. Major: Psychology

  • 2019-present Psychologist in Private Practice, New York City

    2014- present   Adjunct Professor Counseling and Clinical Psychology Program, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.

    2016- 2019 Psychologist in Private Practice, Washington, DC.

    2011-2015          Staff Psychologist. Counseling and Psychological Services, Columbia University, New York

    2009-2011         Staff Psychologist. Counseling and Psychiatric Services, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington DC.

    2007-2009       Psychology Fellow. Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

  • *Publications are under my maiden name Gorcheva

    Israel, T., Walther, W., *Gorcheva, R., & Sulzner, J. (2010). Policies and practice for LGBT clients: perspectives of mental health administrators. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health.

    Israel,T., *Gorcheva, R., Walther, W.A., & Sulzner, J. (2008). Therapists' helpful and unhelpful situations with LGBT clients. Professional Psychology, Research and Practice.

    Israel, T., *Gorcheva, R., Burnes, T. R., & Walther, W. A. (2008). Helpful and unhelpful experiences of LGBT therapy clients. Psychotherapy Research.

  • NY State PSY 019300