ABOUT ME
“We carry inside us the wonders we seek outside us.”
-Rumi
Hi, I’m Rachel.
I’m glad that you found me.
WHAT I DO
I am a Holistic Therapist.
Holistic means that I operate from the belief that everyone has within them a natural drive toward health and healing. If given good support, we naturally move closer to the life we want. That life might include a loving partnership, relief from expectations of perfection, and a greater ability to enjoy what is good in your life.
Whenever possible in our work together I bring in partners and family members. In part this is because I am passionate about supporting relationships. It also shines a light on who you are as a person because parts of us show up in our intimate partnerships that don’t show up right away in therapy.
In our work together I help you identify long standing patterns of thought. We will identify your negative beliefs, challenge them, and work to change them.
I use my sensitivity and intuition to stay attuned to you during session. All you need to bring with you is whatever is happening for you now. I believe that by working on whatever shows up in the office, we are also working on what is occurring in your life.
Our work together will provide you with new insights so that you can move forward in a more directed and powerful way. Therapy with me is an engaged, active process. In other words, I am not a head-nodding therapist. Directness and honesty are vital in all relationships, including yours and mine. In addition I will welcome feedback about how I am doing so that you can get what you need.
I will not try to change you, but will encourage and support you in your goals for your life. Most importantly you will feel accepted and comfortable with me because I care deeply, and am relaxed, warm and open in my approach.
Who I Am
WHAT I BELIEVE
- Even if there are a million changes you want to make and things you want to do with your life—where you are, and who you are right now is enough.
- Your feelings are never bad.
- We all need other people, and deserve good support.
Credentials and Experience
- Bachelors Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Bryn Athyn College, 1996
- Masters Degree in Holistic Counseling from Salve Regina University, 2007
- 40 hours of in-person training in EMDR therapy, as well as ongoing consultation.
- Seven years in a variety of community mental health agencies, with people who struggled with severe mental illness, depression, trauma, and anxiety
- For the past six years I have been working in the greater Philadelphia area providing therapy for teenagers, families, couples and individuals.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that created them.” ~Albert Einstein
I have struggled with inner turmoil, have repeated the same old patterns, and have experienced abuse. It took me a long time to realize that there were things I couldn’t figure out on my own.
Because I spent so much time trying to understand myself I have special awareness and insight into some of the common stumbling blocks that arise as we try to heal from our past.
My hope is that I can spare you time, energy and suffering by assisting you to walk straighter ahead, rather than in those familiar, painful circles.
AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERTISE
- IFS (Internal Family Systems )
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Trauma
- Gestalt
- Psychodynamic
- Person-Centered
- Holistic
- Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents
- Narcissistic Partners