Hi, I'm Rachel
I am passionate about reducing the stigma associated with mental health treatment and am very transparent about being recently diagnosed with ADHD. I am a strong advocate for the neurodivergent community and practice from an affirming standpoint. My clients are the experts of their lives and I'm here to empower them, encourage them, and walk alongside them. I offer a warm, direct, and down to earth approach in therapy. I make it a point to never make my clients feel as though I have it all figured out. I'm just another human being living out my God given calling on my life.
I have worked extensively with PTSD and trauma of all kinds. In 2022, I earned provider status through UTHSC San Antonio's Strong Star training initiative in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD. I am also trained in EMDR and CBT. I incorporate mindfulness and/or spiritual/faith based practices when appropriate or requested.
According to research, one of the most important predictors of successful treatment is the therapeutic alliance between client and therapist; which is why I aim to be as authentic as possible. I frequently incorporate memes and humor into therapy sessions, because "sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying!”
What I Believe
Openly & Unabashedly Neurodivergent
Many of my clients are neurodivergent and find comfort and validation in our work together. I do my best to "unmask" in session so that you can feel safe with letting your walls down and exploring who you truly are. I aim to create a supportive therapeutic environment with my clients to encourage healing and freedom from past hurts and trauma. You are seen and deeply loved when working with me.
Love & Acceptance
Carl Rogers' concept of "unconditional positive regard" is at the heart and foundation of my practice. I believe you are worthy, whole, complete and perfect, just as you are.
Embrace The Chaos
I have adopted chaos theory as my primary practice paradigm. Chaos theory assumes that circumstances and life events are not always linear, logical and predictable. Recognizing and accepting this can help you better navigate difficult emotions when unexpected and challenging things happen. Instead of internalizing shame and blaming yourself for feelings of stress and disarray, you can accept that disorder is sometimes part of life , stop trying to fight the chaos, and learn to embrace it instead.
Different ≠ Bad
Through our upbringing and socialization, we learn what the "right" and "wrong" ways of being, acting, thinking, and doing are. This often leads to the feeling and belief that there is "something wrong with me." But what if I told you there is nothing "wrong" with you and nothing you need to "fix"? When you embrace diversity and reject expectations to conform to dominant cultural and societal norms, you realize that nothing is real and therefore, you should do what you want!
