Learn more about Rachel

 I didn’t always think therapy worked. By the time I was seventeen, I’d seen enough therapists to feel like they weren’t really helping. They were kind, they’d listen, they’d say the right things—but no one actually showed me what to do with what I was feeling. That’s part of why I became a therapist in the first place. When I was twelve, a school social worker once told me, “You’d probably be really good at this someday.” That moment stuck with me. I wanted to help people understand themselves and feel supported in a way I didn’t always get.

 

As a therapist now, I want to create a space where you can come as you are and know you won’t be judged. I’m a firm believer that there’s no such thing as oversharing in therapy. Everyone’s experience is their own lived experience, and nothing you say is “too much.” I want to hear what’s really going on—what’s hard, what you’re struggling with—so we can work together in this shared space to build a path toward change.

 

There’s this misunderstanding that therapy is just about validation, that your therapist is there to say, “That must have been tough,” and stop there. But that’s not how I see it. I want to help you look at what’s happening before, during, and after those difficult moments—so you can actually start doing things differently. I’ll always be supportive, but I’m also going to be honest with you. If I notice something that’s getting in your way, I’ll bring it up. Not to criticize, but to help you see patterns that keep you stuck. Because real change doesn’t come from judgment—it comes from awareness, accountability, and action.

 

I’m very action-oriented. Talking about the past can be helpful, but sitting in it forever doesn’t always move us forward. My goal is to understand what got you here, and then figure out together what it’s going to take to help you move in a new direction. We’ll try out tools, look at what works and what doesn’t, and keep adjusting until we find what fits for you. I want you to leave sessions feeling like something shifted, like you’re beginning to make sense of what’s been holding you back.

 

Earlier in my career, I worked with adolescents learning to regulate emotions and rebuild self-trust. You’d be amazed how many of the struggles adults face began manifesting in adolescence—feelings of disconnection, self-doubt, or difficulty expressing emotion safely. Having worked closely with that age group, I still remember the kinds of challenges they faced, and I see those same themes in adults all the time. If any of that sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone—and that we can work through it together.

 

Outside of work, I try to practice what I talk about with clients—finding ways to stay grounded and curious. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, spent time in Milwaukee for college, and now call the city home. I love running because it clears my head and helps me manage anxiety; I love reading psychology books and exploring how people think and grow; and yes, I’m also a big video-game nerd. I like building characters, exploring worlds, and figuring out how things work—it’s actually a lot like therapy.

 

Joining Modern Therapy Alliance has felt like finding a professional home. I’ve found myself surrounded by people who care as deeply about the art and craft of therapy as I do—people who think constantly about how to really be helpful. MTA’s focus on authenticity, accountability, and real change fits perfectly with how I approach my own work. I love being part of a team that believes therapy should be direct, collaborative, and deeply human. For me, that’s what good therapy—and good connection—really is.