Rachel Bigelow, APCC

Specialties

Perinatal & Reproductive Mental Health • Birth Trauma and NICU Support • Expressive Arts Therapy • Anxiety and Health Anxiety • Military and Military Spouse Life • Trauma • Parenting • Identity and Life Transitions

About Me

Hello and welcome! I’m Rachel, a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor based in California. I specialize in reproductive mental health, supporting individuals navigating pregnancy, postpartum, birth trauma, NICU experiences, and the emotional complexities of parenthood. These experiences can feel overwhelming in ways that are hard to fully explain, especially when they involve medical uncertainty, fear, or a loss of control.

My path to this work is both professional and deeply personal. As a military spouse and mother, I understand the impact of frequent moves, unpredictability, and the emotional demands of caring for yourself while also caring for others. My own experiences with high risk pregnancies, birth trauma, and health anxiety shape the way I show up in the therapy room, with a strong emphasis on empathy, presence, and attunement.

I view therapy as a space where you can begin to slow down and land. Many of the people I work with have spent so much time trying to get through each day that they have not had much space to process what they are carrying. Experiences like birth trauma, NICU stays, and postpartum struggles can leave people feeling emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves. Having a place to process those experiences in a thoughtful and intentional way can make a meaningful difference.

Therapeutic Approach

I practice from a person centered and trauma informed framework, with a strong focus on creating a space that feels calm, steady, and emotionally safe.

I also enjoy incorporating expressive arts therapy, using journaling and other forms of creative expression to help access and process emotions in ways that may feel easier than words alone. Our work creates space for both reflection and expression at a pace that feels manageable.

Outside the Therapy Room

Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy spending time with my family and embracing the rhythms of life with young children. I love journaling, collaging, reading, hiking, and reconnecting with creative practices like photography and sewing.

Let’s Connect

If you are moving through a season that feels overwhelming or uncertain, we will help connect you with support that feels steady, compassionate, and attuned.