Margaret Rau, LMSW
Verified background check
Message from Margaret
Throughout my career, I have worked with many people experiencing difficulties in various stages of life. Developing a trusting, warm, and thoughtful connection is crucial for people to reach their goals. We will work together to build an environment that supports obtaining those goals through cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based modalities. As everyone is different, I take pride in listening to their needs, tailoring my approach, and integrating my theoretical orientation to support them. I have worked in a wide range of therapeutic settings that have allowed me to connect with each individual in the ways they see fit and have provided me with much information to support client needs. This knowledge includes, but is not limited to, child and adolescent mental health, developmental disorders, mood disorders (anxiety and depression), eating disorders, obsession-compulsive, pregnancy, and life transitions. This diversity of knowledge and experience has allowed me to build an engagement with my clients that is flexible and supportive for growth and well-being. We all can benefit from deepening our insight into behavioral patterns, developing a plan to reach our goals, and strengthening our understanding of ourselves and others. Therefore, I welcome the opportunity to work with you and aspire to see you reach your goals! I’m happy to speak with you to see if my style and approach provide you with the connection you need to promote your success. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
About Margaret's practice
Weekdays Before 9am
Weekdays 9am - 5pm
Weekdays After 5pm
$
Sliding scale
Directive
Reflective
Body-based
In-person available: Yes
Virtual available: Yes
Trauma
Pregnancy-Related Stress
Life Transitions
Emerging Adulthood
Depression
Anxiety
LGBTQIA-Related Stress
Neurodivergence (ASD, HSP, dyslexia, etc.)
Cigna
NY
Why state matters
Get to Know Margaret
"Margaret is a compassionate, warm clinician with a vast array of clinical expertise. I highly recommend working with her!"
Miri Kassow - LMSW, Colleague
"Margaret is an excellent therapist who is committed to providing the highest standard of culturally competent care for her clients. She is extremely knowledgeable about community resources and puts in the extra effort to surround her clients with support."
Banks Clippinger, Colleague
"Margaret is a thoughtful and kind clinician, who is always seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and enrich her therapeutic approach. She inspires clients and colleagues alike to look inward and find opportunities for growth and change"
Cristina Shea, Colleague
"Margaret has an inviting energy, welcoming you to explore your full self with them. Her experience has given her the flexibility and insight to work with a wide variety of clients and presenting circumstances"
Kate Jamison, Colleague
"First and foremost, Margaret exudes warmth and kindness. Her wide range of experience with clients and different treatment modalities makes her a skillful and competent therapist. "
Rachel Moses, Colleague
"Margaret has a cheery disposition that lights up a room. Bringing a calming, light atmosphere for her clients, she approaches each client individually and is sure to leave you feeling challenged and validated"
Brian Euseph Marriott-Molloy, Colleague
"Margaret is warm, kind, and thoughtful in her approach toward her clients and colleagues. She offers a warm and nonjudgmental space where her clients can explore their thoughts, experiences, and emotions to grow and evolve in their lives."
Lisa Piccininni, Colleague
"Margaret is kind, caring and empathetic. She is a problem-solver and provides coping techniques when needed most."
Greiny Rodriguez, Colleague
"Margaret’s experience and knowledge allows her to work with her clients to personalize their treatment. Her warm inviting nature provides a safe space for clients, making it easy to build a trusting relationship with her."
Jalisa Taylor, Colleague
"Margaret is a warm, compassionate, and empathic counselor. She approaches her clients authentically, validates their experiences, and challenges them to live more meaningful lives"
Jillian Linn Mooney, Colleague
How do you approach diversity in the room or working with clients who may come from a different background than you?
I strive to practice through a lens of cultural humility, meaning I will never assume myself an expert on anyone else’s background (even if it looks similar to my own as a white woman from Wisconsin). It is my responsibility to continue questioning how my thoughts and actions are influenced by my identity, background, beliefs, values, privileges and biases. You can anticipate that I will work to better understand how the facets of your background and identity impact who you are. I will ask questions and learn more about what I do not know.
How will our relationship be different than relationships I have with friends/loved ones?
Therapeutic relationships are special for a handful of reasons. You can try out new approaches to building more meaningful relationships such as being vulnerable and holding boundaries. You can practice unmasking or letting go of the social “should's” and “shouldn't's”. A therapeutic relationship is grounded in trust, honesty, and unconditional respect. You are invited to show up when you are feeling raw, when you feel embarrassed, when you don’t really feel like talking and when you want recognition or you feel proud.
Do you assign homework, activities, or readings for me to do between sessions? Why or why not?
It depends. Some people find it useful to maintain their mental health progress with between-session goals and guiding activities. This will be a decision that we make together. And I feel you if the word “homework” hits you in a way that makes you recoil- procrastinators, the overworked, will be warmly welcomed to participate as much or as little with homework as they like.
If I have never been to therapy before, what should I expect? How do I know if I should go, and how do I start?
If you are coming to therapy for the first time, it probably means you've done a lot of problem solving to feel better already and you haven't found a sustainable solution yet. Or maybe you are just really ready for some change or relief. Starting therapy is a great option for navigating what you are going through. There are an assortment of therapy modalities and treatment approaches, and you definitely don't need to know them all apart. What is important is that you feel understood, respected, and safely received by whoever you work with. Take advantage of complimentary 15 minute consults so you can feel out who you want to work with in therapy.
Are there any philosophies or values that inform your work that I should know about?
I value a person-centered approach, which is anti-oppressive and emphasizes accessibility.