Licensed to practice in Kentucky and accepts 16 insurances. Specializes in Women's Issues, Self Esteem, Addiction and 10 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I'm Rachael! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been in private practice for five years, but have been working in therapeutic settings as a social worker for 15 years. I work with a variety of individuals and have an extensive background working in the field of addiction and recovery; and currently work with individuals navigating the stressors of everyday life, anxiety, relationship challenges, and the many constant demands of today's world that I believe affect all of us on multiple levels. I work with clients who are often high-functioning on the outside but may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected internally. I'm human alongside you and I too know what it feels like to feel stuck or simply like there's a bigger gap between the version of ourself we imagine and the one we feel we can access at times. My approach is both supportive and practical and I aim to create an environment where you feel seen, understood, and capable of being honest both with me and with yourself. I find when people can simply breathe out in a safe space, they feel more able to fully develop the tools and insight necessary to create the lasting change they seek. I value authenticity in the therapy process and meet clients where they are, whether they are coming in for short-term, immediate support or deeper, long-term work.
First sessions can often be scary or nerve-racking and I get that. In our first session, my goal is to get to know you--what's been going on, what's bringing you to therapy now, and what you're hoping will feel different in your life as a result of taking this brave step. We'll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, and my ultimate goal is to help you feel like you made the right choice coming to therapy. I'll ask some questions to help me better understand you, your background, patterns, current challenges and simply what makes you you; but ultimately this is your space to share what feels most important and relevant for you. By the end of the session, we'll start to clarify goals and talk about what working together could like moving forward and make sure you feel I'm the right fit for you. I always want to make sure you're getting what you need from therapy, otherwise, what's the point? So the first session is like a two-way mirror to ensure that happens! This is your space, your time, and your process, and I'm honored to be a part of it with you!
I consider myself a down-to-earth person and therapist. I'm authentic in all aspects of my life and feel like one of my greatest strengths is helping people feel comfortable, safe and accepted no matter what issues may be bringing them to therapy. I operate from a trauma-informed lens and always strive to balance empathy with honesty. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment and provide people with the compassion they often don't know how to give themselves- which I is a necessary component of not only the therapeutic process, but also the human experience in general. Usually, when people find a safe place where they can show up authentically themselves, the things that have kept them stuck seem to more easily shift. In my experience, clients begin to see real change in their own ways of thinking, patterns, relationships, and general sense of self as a result of this dynamic and approach in therapy. As a person in long-term recovery from an eating disorder, as well as someone with extensive background in the addiction field, I understand the different branches of the sick trees many of us find ourselves on throughout life and how difficult that can be for individuals and their loved ones. Whether someone is directly struggling with addictive behaviors or not, my backgrounds both personally and professionally have always seemed to help me connect with people in ways that create safety and comfort as they approach the many challenges of change. I specialize in helping people heal the wounds that often lead to unhealthy solutions, some of which may have lead you here. I believe to varying degrees, everyone is fighting a hard battle and life can be brutal sometimes. I know what it's like to feel defeated in the battle, but I also know what it's like to be victorious in the war. It's already evident to me that you're a warrior or you wouldn't be here! No matter what brought you here, sometimes we just need to know we aren't walking alone. I am honored to be a part of this journey with you and feel confident that together, we will move toward the changes you want to see in your life.
I work best with clients who are ready to engage- people who may be navigating a difficult season but come to therapy with curiosity, openness, and a genuine desire to understand themselves more deeply. My ideal clients are often facing life transitions, relationship challenges, or a growing sense that old patterns simply aren't working anymore. They may be struggling with anxiety, low mood, self-doubt, or a quiet feeling of being disconnected from who they want to be. Many of the clients I work with are women navigating the competing demands of relationships, identity, and personal growth-though I welcome anyone who feels my approach might be a good fit. I have a particular passion for working with couples. I love helping partners move out of painful cycles and toward genuine understanding, safety and connection. The couples I work best with are those who, despite their struggles, still have good will toward each other and a shared investment in the relationship. I bring a trauma-informed perspective to all of my work and have an extensive background in addiction, meaning I understand that many of the patterns clients want to change have roots in earlier experiences, and I approach that with care, compassion and respect for each person's readiness for change. Clients who tend to thrive in my practice are often self-reflective, motivated, and looking for a collaborative relationship with their therapist. They may not have all the answers, and they understand I may not either, but we will certainly go on the journey of finding them together! If you're looking for a space to slow down, breathe out, make sense of what you're carrying, and build something that feels more like the life you want, I'd love to connect and am so glad you're here.
Other specialties
I identify as
Attachment-based
I integrate an attachment-based approach to help individuals and couples identify and understand relational patterns rooted in their earlier life experiences to cultivate greater security and connection in their current relationships with both self and others.
Compassion Focused
I use a compassion focused lens to help clients respond to their own pain and perceived failures with greater understanding and kindness rather than shame and judgment that so often take over and sit at the core of many struggles.
Trauma Informed Care
I approach all of my work through a trauma-informed lens, recognizing that trauma is not just what happens to you but what happens in you. I understand that past experiences of harm or overwhelming stress shape and change the nervous system, sense of self and capacity for connection; and I work to help empower my clients to develop the skills necessary to better heal through those experiences and live the lives they want and deserve.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate DBT skill-based methods to help clients feel less overwhelmed by intense emotions and feel better equipped with more practical tools for managing life's most difficult moments.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I utilize EFT to help clients and couples identify negative interaction cycles, access deeper emotional experience, and build more secure, safe, connected bonds in their relationships.