Rachel Sirek
My work is informed by both clinical training & lived experience. My background in crisis/outpatient care across hospitals, jails, homes, & community settings, along with two terms of service in AmeriCorps, shaped my understanding of systemic inequities & how that impacts our mental health. Growing up neurodivergent and navigating systems that fell short of supporting me is why I’m passionate about helping others understand their own brains while working through trauma. I always struggled to find a therapist who understood me, and that inspired me to learn more about my own neurodivergence, as well as learn therapy approaches while adapting them to fit what works best for me. Common topics like sensory gating, working memory, RSD, pattern recognition, sensory filtering, & time-driven productivity are things many of us haven't been taught about. Because of that, people with neurodivergence often feel isolated or misunderstood. This includes ADHD, autism, AuDHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, learning disabilities, and other ways of thinking & experiencing the world. It isn’t something that needs to be fixed, it's part of human diversity. Therapy can help you better understand your brain, reduce self-criticism, & find approaches that fit how you operate. I especially enjoy supporting clients with AuDHD to better understand executive functioning, emotions, & their sense of identity. I work with bipolar disorder, anger, anxiety, BPD, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, stress, trauma, and C-PTSD, psychosis, & schizophrenia.
First session
Our first session is usually a little more structured because we’ll complete the intake process and gather the information needed for insurance, as well as learn more about your background, goals, and what brings you to therapy. After that, we get to be our weird selves and start exploring what’s showing up for you -whether that’s something from your week, patterns you’ve noticed, emotions, relationships, or just trying to better understand yourself. We’ll talk about how your brain works, how neurodivergence may impact your experiences, and what approaches feel supportive for you. Therapy doesn’t have to look one specific way here. Feel free to move around, stim, take breaks, and show up as yourself. All animals are welcome in session too.
Strengths
I love science, and we use that in session to help us better understand what’s happening with your brain, emotions, behaviors, and patterns. We use what works, explore what comes up, and build tools that actually make sense for your life. I also show up as me in the room. I have processing differences and write things down while you’re talking so I can fully take in what you’re saying. My ADHD shows up too - I might move around a lot on screen or laugh and say I had an ADHD moment. Therapy is a space where we both get to be human. About me; I have a big, Maine Coon cat named Moose who occasionally makes an appearance on camera. I love camping in the mountains, running, watching true crime, & snacks.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is neurodivergent and has navigated the world feeling a little different from their peers. I enjoy working with individuals who experience bipolar disorder, trauma, mood disorders, and BPD, or simply those who are looking for support navigating life through all of its ups and downs. I am authentic and also goofy at times. I enjoy getting to know people, philosophizing about life, while using clinical skills and continuing to learn together.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I like to use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to challenge the thoughts and patterns in our brains. We explore common thinking errors and ask ourselves: Are these thoughts helpful, or are they getting in the way? We look at cognitive distortions such as catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, and other ways our thoughts can sometimes mislead us. Our brains are powerful, but our thoughts are not always accurate. We apply CBT skills to everyday life by learning how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. We also discuss how neurodivergence can impact thinking patterns, emotional regulation, and the way we experience the world, while identifying strategies that support our individual strengths and needs
Somatic
I like incorporating movement, and I enjoy using science to support this work. We use somatic approaches while exploring the nervous system. We look at pendulation, titration, body sensations, tracking sensations, orienting, and movement/energy to help work through stress and trauma.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
We look at DBT and make it our own. We always talk about the cheesiness of some of the worksheets and take what we like from DBT skills. My favorite idea from this modality is holding two different thoughts in one hand. An example is: “I hate my mom and I love my mom.” This helps reduce the emotional swings we experience. We are typically brought up with either/or thinking, but dialectics teaches us how to hold two thoughts at once and recognize that both can be true.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- ColoradoLicense LPC.0022652