Introduction

Rachel obtained her bachelor’s degree in Theatre & Music Theatre from Northwestern University. She is currently a second-year Master’s student at Northwestern University where she is completing her degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus on Childhood and Adolescence. Prior to entering this program, Rachel worked as an actor, teacher, and business owner. Rachel has had experience working with children and adolescents as a drama teacher and also as the owner of a company that provides character entertainment for children’s birthday parties. She has worked with children and adolescents from varying backgrounds and has helped them build confidence and self-esteem using theater as a tool for self expression. She is interested in marrying psychology with her love of the arts and feels her work as an actor has given her insight into the human experience and a great deal of empathy for all people. Rachel is also interested in the dynamics of play for children and believes play can provide great insight into a child’s underlying feelings and non-verbalized experience. She is working towards her certification as a Play Therapist. 

Therapeutic Approach

Rachel takes an integrative approach to counseling that is heavily influenced by Psychodynamic and Adlerian theoretical modalities.  She is interested in how a person’s early attachment styles and interactions influence their behavioral patterns, daily functioning, and relationships. She employs a strengths-based and collaborative approach to the work that is uniquely tailored to the needs of each individual client and focuses on fostering resilience, autonomy, and self-awareness. Rachel places great importance on creating an environment that feels safe and comforting for her clients through the development of a strong therapeutic alliance. 

Theoretical Lens: Psychodynamic, Adlerian, Existential, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Strengths-Based