Individual Therapy with Rachel Santellano, LSW

Individual Therapy That Helps You Actually Change

When people reach out to me for individual therapy, they’re often feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or quietly frustrated that things don’t seem to be changing — even when they’ve already tried to work on themselves. You might be dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship stress, or a persistent sense that you’re capable of more than how life currently feels. Sometimes it’s tied to a specific life transition, like starting college, moving to Chicago, beginning a new job, or entering adulthood and realizing the expectations feel unclear. Other times, it’s harder to name — just a sense that something isn’t working.

I offer individual therapy for adults and young adults who want more than insight alone. Feeling understood matters, but for many people, therapy becomes most useful when it helps translate awareness into action. My work focuses on helping you understand what’s happening, take responsibility for your patterns, and practice doing things differently — in ways that show up in your real life, not just during sessions.

How I Work in Individual Therapy

In individual therapy, we’ll spend time understanding what’s been happening in your life, what you’ve already tried, and what feels most urgent right now. I listen closely and ask direct, thoughtful questions to help you notice patterns in your emotions, relationships, and behavior — especially the ones that keep repeating even when you’re trying to do better.

Many challenges adults face didn’t appear overnight. They often began developing earlier and became familiar ways of coping or relating over time. Therapy can be a place to slow things down, look at those patterns honestly, and decide which ones you want to keep — and which ones you’re ready to change.

More Than Validation – A Focus on Accountability

Validation can be an important starting point, especially if you’ve spent a long time questioning yourself or minimizing your experience. At the same time, when therapy stays focused only on feeling better in the moment, it can start to feel stagnant. In my work, we’ll make room for your emotions while also paying attention to what keeps you stuck.

Accountability in therapy doesn’t mean blame or pressure. It means noticing where you have choice, where patterns repeat, and where small, intentional shifts can create meaningful change. This might include practicing new ways of communicating, setting clearer boundaries, tolerating discomfort instead of avoiding it, or learning how to respond differently when anxiety or self-doubt shows up. My goal is to help you build skills and awareness that carry into your daily life, not just your therapy sessions.

What I Help With in Individual Therapy

Anxiety, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm
Depression, low motivation, and feeling stuck
Emotional regulation and stress management
Communication challenges and relationship concerns
Dating, intimacy, jealousy, and recurring relationship patterns
Work stress, early career pressure, and burnout
Life transitions such as starting college, entering the workforce, moving cities, or redefining identity

Trauma-Informed, Flexible, and Adapted to You

I work from a trauma-informed perspective and draw from multiple therapeutic approaches, adapting my work to the person in front of me rather than forcing a single model. Some clients benefit from structured tools and skill-building, while others need space to process emotions or experiences they’ve never fully explored. Many need a combination of both.

I also work with clients who identify as neurodivergent or who have ADHD. I’m mindful of how attention, sensitivity, and overwhelm can affect emotional regulation, motivation, and self-esteem. Therapy can be a place to understand how your mind works, rather than constantly feeling like you’re fighting against it.

Is Individual Therapy with Me a Good Fit?

You might be a good fit for working with me if you’re looking for a therapist who is warm and relatable, but also engaged and direct. If you’re open to feedback, curious about your patterns, and willing to try new ways of responding — even when it feels uncomfortable — individual therapy with me may be a helpful next step.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. Therapy can help you clarify what matters to you, build confidence, and learn how to show up differently in your relationships, work, and inner world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Individual Therapy

Do you work with anxiety and depression?

Yes. I regularly work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, and stress. We’ll focus on understanding how these experiences show up in your daily life and developing practical ways to respond differently over time.

Do you work with people who have ADHD or identify as neurodivergent?

Yes. I provide neurodiversity-affirming therapy and work with clients who have ADHD or identify as neurodivergent, focusing on emotional regulation, self-understanding, motivation, and relationships.

Is your approach trauma-informed?

Yes. I work from a trauma-informed lens and pay attention to how past experiences may shape current reactions and patterns. We’ll move at a pace that feels supportive while still encouraging growth.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

That’s common and important to talk about. We’ll look at what didn’t work before and use that information to shape a more active and effective approach.

How long does individual therapy usually last?

The length of therapy depends on your goals. Some clients come for shorter-term support around a specific issue, while others choose longer-term work to address deeper patterns.

Do you offer in-person or virtual individual therapy?

Yes. I offer both in-person and virtual individual therapy sessions, depending on availability and what works best for your needs.