Vanessa Rachels

Hello, I'm Vanessa. My philosophy on therapy comes from Marsha Linehan: "Everyone is doing the best they can at any given moment." My role is to help you identify ways to better manage your emotions, thoughts, and actions. I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT), and Motivational Interviewing to support you on your journey. The clients who will benefit the most from working with me are adolescents and adults who are ready to explore and change ineffective patterns to live their best lives. I believe in focusing on the present and future while acknowledging how past traumas and wrongs can affect the now.

I began my career in mental health at a residential program that emphasized DBT skills for women with Borderline Personality Disorder. Before starting my graduate program, I also worked at a residential program for adults with Bipolar Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Schizophrenia, which focused on helping clients return to the workforce and live as productively as possible. I chose to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) because I believe in looking at people in relation to not just their mental health issues but also their environment and life as a whole. After graduation, I worked at an opioid treatment center, transitioned to outpatient individual therapy in a community hospital, and later joined a group private practice before deciding to become self-employed. For about two years, I also consulted for a state agency, gaining valuable knowledge of government systems and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) populations. Throughout my career, I have worked with LGBTQ+ populations and welcome all clients.

If you're ready to take the next step towards a healthier, more fulfilling life, I'm here to support you. Let's work together to create positive change.