Expert services for all of your needs.
Expert Consulting Team
Rachel Lynn Golden, PhD
Dr. Rachel Golden (they/them) is a licensed clinical psychologist and nationally recognized expert in trauma-informed, identity-affirming care. They are licensed to provide expert evaluation in 43 states across the U.S. Dr. Golden earned their doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver and holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology (University of Colorado, Denver) and Romance Languages (Carleton College).
Dr. Golden is the Founder and Director of Golden Psychology, where they provide clinical care, expert evaluations, institutional consultation, and professional training with a focus on supporting LGBTQ2IA+ individuals and communities.
Dr. Golden’s evaluations have been used in Family, State, and Federal Courts, where they have been qualified as an expert witness and contributed to favorable legal outcomes for clients navigating complex mental health, disability, and identity-related issues. Evaluations can be conducted in both English and Spanish.
An active advocate and policy advisor, Dr. Golden plays a leading role in efforts to protect and improve the lives of Transgender and Non-Binary people across New York City and State. They are a member of the Trans Prisoner Rights Coalition of New York and serve on the TGNCNBI Task Force focused on the rights and care of incarcerated individuals in NYC jails. They also serve on the THANY Coalition (Trans Health Advocates of New York), a statewide network working to hold regulators and insurers accountable for equitable care. Dr. Golden interfaces with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and the Governor’s Office to advocate for humane and affirming policies for Transgender and Gender-Expansive people in custody.
Dr. Golden has developed gender-affirming mental health care protocols for the New York State Office of Mental Health and trainings to hospitals, legal teams, and universities. Their work bridges the clinical, legal, and policy worlds to promote justice, safety, and healing for marginalized communities. They are available for consultation on projects related to health equity, mental wellness, LGBTQ2IA+ advocacy, and systemic reform. They also consult with families to ensure they are receiving the highest level of care.
Katarina Bartel, LMSW
Katarina (she/her) is a Queer-identifying Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and psychotherapist with a strong foundation in neuroscience and forensic social work. With a background in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University and a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University, Katarina brings a deeply informed, integrative approach to her clinical and evaluation work.
Katarina specializes in trauma-informed, strengths-based psychological evaluations for individuals involved in the legal system. Her work supports clients navigating family, immigration, and criminal court settings, where accurate, compassionate assessments can make a life-changing difference. She is especially interested in the intersection of neuroscience, trauma, and the legal system, and is committed to advancing ethical, affirming care for court-involved populations.
She is certified in Motivational Interviewing and trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Katarina also brings extensive experience supporting a wide range of clients—from adolescents in school settings and asylum seekers to older adults experiencing isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across all her work, she is dedicated to providing nonjudgmental, identity-affirming care that respects each client’s lived experience.
Claudia Zavala, MHC-LP
Claudia (she/her) is a highly trained psychotherapist with a strong interest in forensic evaluation, culturally responsive care, and identity-affirming mental health services. She holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a Latinx/Bilingual Concentration from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology from Pontificia Universidad Católica in Lima, Peru.
As a Latina, lesbian, and immigrant, Claudia brings deep personal insight and professional commitment to her work with clients from diverse backgrounds. She is especially passionate about increasing access to equitable, culturally informed forensic evaluations, particularly for individuals navigating complex legal systems. Her approach is grounded in Humanistic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Feminist Therapy, and she creates a collaborative, strengths-based space where clients feel safe to share their stories.
Claudia has extensive expertise in racial and gender identity and has published research in journals such as The Journal of Happiness Studies and The Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health. She regularly partners with nonprofits to expand affirmative mental health services across Latin America and remains committed to using her clinical and research skills to promote justice, healing, and meaningful systemic change.