Rachael Phelan
Hi, I’m Rachael, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to providing a supportive, compassionate space where you can feel heard and understood. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University and my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Southern University. I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and self-esteem concerns. My approach is collaborative, client-centered, and tailored to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy.
You deserve a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported as you navigate life's challenges and work toward becoming the best version of yourself.
My goal is to help you gain insight, build healthy coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. We’ll discuss what brought you to therapy, your goals, and any challenges you’re currently facing. My priority is creating a safe, supportive, and judgment-free space where you can feel comfortable sharing at your own pace. Together, we’ll begin developing a personalized plan to help you move toward the changes that matter most to you.
Strengths
I believe therapy is most effective when you feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. My approach is collaborative and tailored to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and person-centered techniques. Together, we’ll build practical coping skills, explore patterns that may be holding you back, and work toward meaningful, lasting change at a pace that feels right for you.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is motivated to better understand themselves, work through emotional challenges, and create meaningful changes in their life. They may struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, self-esteem, or difficulty navigating boundaries. They are open to self-reflection, willing to explore patterns that may no longer serve them, and interested in developing healthier ways to cope, communicate, and approach relationships. I enjoy working with clients who are ready to do the work, even if they aren't entirely sure where to start, and want to feel more confident, grounded, and connected to themselves.
Ongoing work together
Our work together will be collaborative, supportive, and focused on helping you better understand yourself while creating meaningful, sustainable changes. Sessions will provide a space to explore challenges, identify patterns, build practical coping skills, and work toward goals that feel important to you. We will regularly reflect on your progress, celebrate small wins, and adjust our approach as your needs evolve. You'll begin to notice progress through increased self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, healthier boundaries, more confidence in decision-making, and the ability to navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and resilience. Progress isn't about having everything figured out; it's about feeling more equipped to handle life as it comes.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns, explore how they influence emotional responses and behaviors, and develop healthier, more balanced ways of thinking. I incorporate practical tools and strategies to help clients challenge negative self-talk, manage anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and navigate everyday stressors.
Compassion-Focused
I incorporate Compassion-Focused Therapy to help clients develop a kinder, more understanding relationship with themselves. Together, we explore patterns of self-criticism, shame, and negative self-talk while building self-compassion and emotional resilience. I help clients recognize that struggling does not mean they are failing and that they can learn to respond to themselves with the same patience and understanding they may offer others. Through reflection and practical exercises, clients work toward reducing self-judgment, strengthening self-worth, and developing a greater sense of emotional safety.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore their personal goals, values, and readiness for change in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. Through open-ended questions, reflective listening, and thoughtful exploration, I help clients identify their own reasons for change, work through ambivalence, and build confidence in their ability to move forward. My approach emphasizes collaboration rather than direction, recognizing that meaningful change happens when clients feel empowered to make choices that align with their values and goals.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to help clients identify their strengths, recognize existing resources, and focus on the changes they want to make rather than becoming stuck in the problems they are experiencing. Together, we explore what is already working, identify achievable goals, and build on small steps toward meaningful progress. I use strengths-based questions and practical strategies to help clients recognize their capacity for change, develop solutions that feel realistic, and build confidence in navigating life's challenges.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions206 N Pine St, Ukiah, CA 95482
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 164493