Rated 4.9 stars out of 5, 28 ratings

Rafiah Maxie-Cole

LCSW, 24 years of experience

Authentic
Warm
Solution oriented
Virtual
Next available on

About me

My name is Rafiah Maxie-Cole, and I’m honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and wholeness. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience, I’ve supported individuals through a wide range of challenges—always with compassion, cultural awareness, and unwavering belief in their capacity to grow. This work is personal. I understand the weight of grief and the complexity of emotional pain—having lost my son to suicide. That loss fuels my commitment to creating safe, affirming spaces where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. I don’t just offer tools—I offer presence, partnership, and hope. My greatest strength lies in listening deeply and holding space without judgment. I honor each client’s unique story and walk with them as they uncover their strength, reclaim their voice, and move toward lasting change. You don’t have to do this alone. I look forward to meeting you soon.

Get to know me

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

Beginning therapy is a courageous step, and I honor the strength it takes to show up. In our first session together, you can expect a welcoming, judgment-free space where your story, your needs, and your voice are centered. We’ll start with an introduction to therapy—what it is, how it works, and how we can tailor it to fit your goals. Whether you’re new to therapy or returning after time away, I’ll meet you where you are. This session is about building trust and clarity, not rushing into solutions. Together, we’ll explore what brings you to therapy. You’ll have the opportunity to share what’s been weighing on you—whether it’s grief, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or simply the need to be heard. There’s no pressure to “have it all figured out.” This is your space to speak freely, at your own pace. We’ll also review your goals. What do you hope to gain from therapy? What does healing look like for you? Whether your goals are specific or still forming, we’ll begin shaping a path forward. I’ll ask thoughtful questions to help clarify what support looks like for you and what you need from me as your therapist. Throughout our conversation, I’ll be listening deeply—not just to your words, but to the emotions and experiences behind them. My role is to create a safe, affirming environment where you feel seen, heard, and respected. You’ll be able to express fears, emotions, and hopes without judgment. If there are areas of your life that feel heavy or confusing, we’ll begin unpacking them together. We’ll also talk about the supports you currently have—or may need. That could include family, friends, community resources, or coping strategies. I’ll help you identify what’s working, what’s missing, and how we can strengthen your support system. By the end of our first session, my goal is for you to feel grounded, informed, and empowered. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how therapy can support you, and what our work together might look like. You’ll also know that you’re not alone in this process. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all experience. I bring cultural humility, clinical expertise, and lived understanding to every session. I believe in your capacity to heal, grow, and thrive—and I’m here to walk beside you every step of the way.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My greatest strength lies in my ability to listen—not just to words, but to what’s beneath them. I create a space where clients feel safe to speak freely, explore deeply, and be fully themselves. In our sessions, you’ll find a compassionate presence who honors your story, respects your pace, and holds space without judgment. I am intuitive and attuned to the nuances of each client’s experience. Whether you’re navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, or life transitions, I meet you with empathy and cultural humility. I understand that healing isn’t linear—and that every person’s path is unique. That’s why I tailor my approach to fit your needs, not the other way around. Clients often share that they feel truly seen and heard in our work together. That’s intentional. I believe therapy should be a sanctuary—a place where you can unpack fears, process emotions, and discover your strength. I integrate evidence-based methods with a trauma-informed lens, drawing from modalities like CBT, narrative therapy, and mindfulness, while always centering your lived experience. What sets my practice apart is the belief that meaningful change is possible—and sustainable. I don’t just help clients cope; I help them transform. I walk beside you as you build insight, reclaim agency, and move toward lasting growth. Whether you’re seeking clarity, connection, or healing, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with clients who are ready to engage in meaningful change—individuals who are open, expressive, and willing to explore the deeper layers of their experience. Whether you're navigating grief, trauma, life transitions, or emotional overwhelm, I’m here to support you with compassion and clarity. My ideal clients are those who come to therapy with a sense of curiosity and a desire to grow. You don’t need to have all the answers—just a willingness to show up, speak honestly, and do the inner work. I value clients who are invested in their healing journey and committed to building tools that foster resilience, insight, and lasting transformation. I especially welcome those who seek a culturally affirming space to unpack complex emotions, challenge limiting beliefs, and reconnect with their strength. If you’re looking for a therapist who listens deeply, honors your lived experience, and walks beside you with empathy and intention, I may be the right fit for you. Together, we’ll create a space where your voice is heard, your goals are honored, and your healing is possible.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

AnxietyDepressionMilitary/VeteransSelf EsteemTrauma and PTSD

I identify as

Serves ages

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a useful, effective tool to address emotional challenges. In our sessions, CBT can be used to help you manage symptoms of mental illness, resolve relationship conflicts and learn better ways to communicate, cope with grief or loss and even learn techniques for coping with stressful life situations, overcome emotional trauma related to abuse or violence. In our sessions, you will learn new ways of processing, feeling and approaching issues and concerns for healthy processing of your ultimate goals.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness based therapy is being aware of internal thoughts, feelings, and emotions, as well as external surroundings and situations, without automatic responses such as judgment or stress in our sessions, mindfulness therapy is used as a type of therapy that focuses on learning how to be more aware and to reduce automatic responses. You will be introduced to guided meditation that will help with grounding exercises you can used to help with feeling related to anxiety, coping, fear and anger.

Grief Therapy

Grief therapy is extremely important in processing the loss of a loved one. The five stages of grief are a part of the framework that make up our learning to live with the one we lost. We will explore our feelings related to our loss and work through each stage with meaning.

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

Rated 4.9 stars out of 5, 28 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

May 17, 2025

She is awesome to work with! She provides you with the tools you need to embrace who you are address your trauma talk it out and helps to guide you in a positive way. She is not afraid to be vulnerable and is not afraid to see your vulnerability. I love working with her to heal my past and I've been with her for 2 years and I see the progress in my everyday life! She is AMAZING!!!

Verified client, age 45-54

Review shared after session 25 with Rafiah

April 24, 2025

I look forward to our sessions. I love the challenge that she provides me to think and be better. Rafiah always gives different ways to approach a situation and how to break down the situation. I hit the jackpot with her.

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 15 with Rafiah

March 6, 2025

I love that I am challenged during my sessions.

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 5 with Rafiah