"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
— Anais Nin
Services
Traditional methods of therapy may not be for everyone, and therapeutic fit founded on client autonomy and collaborative treatment planning is essential for healing and growth in the therapeutic process. Having options beyond the traditional talk therapy approach can be instrumental for lasting positive change, allowing for more in-depth work as well as creativity and fun.
We offer a variety of service options and alternative approaches to for this reason, which can be integrated into your care and catered to your individual needs and preferences. Check out some of what's available below:
What to Expect
Getting Started
Welcome!
You are encouraged to peruse this website in order to get a sense of Rachel's approach to therapy and what to expect from working with her.
If you are curious and interested but not sure or think you might work well together or are ready to take the first step, then reach out to set up a free brief initial consultation in order to help clarify whether we will be a good therapeutic fit.
If you both decide to move forward then an intake session will be scheduled and you will receive an invitation to create a client account through Sessions Health. This is a secure site for you to complete intake paperwork, forms, and assessments, as well as view appointments and manage billing and payments.
Intake Process
Upon completion of the requisite intake paperwork and forms for participating in therapy, treatment begins with an intake session, during which you and your provider will review and address any questions or concerns related to informed consent, the therapy process, and associated fees and policies, as well as the completion of an intake assessment. This is a lengthy diagnostic assessment that includes gathering information about your presenting concern(s) or reasons for seeking therapy, relevant history and contextual information, current symptoms and functional challenges, as well as strengths, resources, and your initial goals or hopes for treatment and the counseling process. Due to the comprehensive nature of it, this assessment is billed at a higher rate and may take more than one session to complete.
Together you and your provider will identify what to address in therapy and how you’d like to go about it, establishing therapeutic goals and an individualized treatment plan reflective of your needs that honors your preferences while developing a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship.
Commitment to Therapy
​Following the intake process and identification of initial treatment goals, you and your provider will begin to explore your therapeutic concerns in more depth while also identifying and expanding upon your strengths, coping strategies and resources, and connecting to your intuition, innate wisdom, and new possibilities.
It is generally recommended to start therapy with more frequent, consistent sessions in order to establish a strong therapeutic relationship and to build positive momentum towards goals before reducing session frequency or duration - though this may not be the case for everyone and is considered on a case by case basis. Although there are certainly situations in which abbreviated or shorter-term treatment is effective, this is not the case for the majority of clients that come to us, and often a longer commitment is needed for lasting, positive change.
Testimonials
"The safe space that Rachel created for me was instrumental in helping me do exactly that; feel and heal."
Jeff C, Former Client
"I never hesitate to recommend Rachel as a counselor or speaker and I look forward to many more years of her powerful influence in our community."
Emilie Ryan, LPC, NCC, RYT, SEP
"Rachel is able to help people clearly identify what is causing distress, and then guides her clients through a compassionate and productive healing practice."
Jennifer Brandsma, LPC