Rachel Giles

(she/her)

LCSW, 16 years of experience
Warm
Authentic
Open-minded

Hi all! I am an LCSW and a Board Approved Supervisor for LCSW and CSAC in the state of Virginia. I obtained a BA in Psychology with a minor in Childhood Development from Ashford University and a Master's in Social Work with a concentration on children and families from the University of Southern California. I have worked in the field for over 15 years and in many capacities including school counseling, outreach with DJJ, mentoring, life skills coaching, MH outpatient therapy, Substance Use outpatient therapy, and program development and supervision. I also provide licensure supervision to assist other LCSWs and CSACs in their endeavors towards licensure.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

During our first session, you can expect to spend time getting to know one another and building rapport. I will conduct a clinical assessment to learn all I can about you so that we can work together to build the most effective treatment plan for success.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

As an LCSW, I am not only focused on assisting with understanding and managing symptoms related to Mental Health and Substance Use diagnoses, but am also interested in assisting clients to make the necessary changes in their environments and to find resources that will help clients thrive during and after discharge from treatment. I am solution focused and client centered, and am constantly adapting treatment modalities to best fit each client individually.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I love working with children, adolescents, and teens the most because I love taking the proactive approach to preventing maladaptive behaviors that can become pathological in adulthood. However, I enjoy working with all populations despite age, gender, and/or diagnoses.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that is effective for a range of issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. It focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, helping individuals develop skills to manage their mental health. CBT is structured and goal-oriented, aiming to modify dysfunctional emotions and thoughts by addressing negative beliefs. (15+ years experience)

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a type of psychotherapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions and improve their interpersonal relationships. It is particularly effective for those with borderline personality disorder but is also used for various other mental health conditions. DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, focusing on the balance between acceptance and change. The therapy teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, making it a structured and educational approach to mental health treatment. (10+ years experience, certification in progress)

EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, commonly known as EMDR, is a mental health therapy method. EMDR treats mental health conditions that happen because of memories from traumatic events in your past. It’s best known for its role in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but its use is expanding to include treatment of many other conditions. (Certified in EMDR)

Trauma-Focused CBT

TF-CBT is a structured, short-term therapy that typically consists of 8 to 25 sessions. It is specifically tailored for children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events, such as abuse, violence, or loss. The therapy involves both the child and a non-offending parent or caregiver, emphasizing the importance of family involvement in the healing process. (5+ years experience)

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication that focuses on the language of change. It aims to strengthen personal motivation and commitment to specific goals by eliciting and exploring the individual's own reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion. (10+ years experience)

, 37 ratings

4 ratings with written reviews

April 30, 2026

I’m so happy I found Rachel! Five sessions in and I feel that she has a really good picture of what I need and sets realistic goals towards that. She’s so easy to talk to; a great listener; she definitely knows her craft..Looking forward to futile sessions.

Verified client, age 55-64
Review shared after session 5 with Rachel

January 26, 2026

Rachel is very empowering and willing to meet you where you are at, while making sure you don’t stay stuck. I have enjoyed working with her.

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 5 with Rachel

September 23, 2025

Rachel walked me through my mental health concerns and also helped me set realistic, relevant goals for improvements I can make to better my mental and physical health.

Verified client, age 35-44
Review shared after session 1 with Rachel