Rachel earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in 2020, with a focus on child and adolescent development. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University. Rachel has long been interested in understanding different perspectives, particularly how siblings raised in the same household can develop into such unique individuals. This curiosity sparked her passion for psychology and deepened her desire to better understand human behavior and relationships. After the birth of her second son, Rachel decided to pursue her long-held goal of attending graduate school, viewing it as a "now or never" moment. Her personal experiences with motherhood have further shaped her clinical interests and deepened her empathy for others navigating major life transitions.
While Rachel is in the early stages of her clinical training, her passion for supporting others has been shaped through her academic journey and personal experiences. Her studies in psychology and family systems have provided a strong foundation in understanding human development, relationships, and mental health. Rachel's professional interests are rooted in supporting individuals and families through life's most challenging and transformative experiences. She has a strong interest in working with individuals in the postpartum period and is passionate about helping new parents navigate identity shifts, emotional changes, and the complexities of early parenthood. In addition, Rachel is deeply interested in working with clients impacted by trauma, addiction, and experiences of abuse. She is committed to creating a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where clients can process their experiences and begin to heal.
Rachel also enjoys working with couples and families to strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and foster healthier relational dynamics. More broadly, she is interested in supporting individuals navigating a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Rachel values a collaborative and client-centered approach, meeting individuals where they are and tailoring her work to each client's unique needs, strengths, and lived experiences.
Rachel is currently in training and does not yet hold formal clinical specialties. However, her developing clinical approach is informed by narrative and systemic perspectives. She is particularly interested in narrative therapy techniques that support clients in separating themselves from their problems and exploring their personal stories with greater compassion, meaning, and agency. Rachel is also interested in solution-focused therapy and emotionally focused therapy (EFT), with an emphasis on identifying client strengths, deepening emotional awareness, and supporting meaningful change through relational understanding and present-focused goal setting. In her work with children, Rachel is gaining foundational knowledge in play-based and expressive approaches to support emotional expression, coping skills development, and processing experiences in a developmentally appropriate way. Within her marriage and family therapy training, Rachel is particularly interested in relational dynamics, communication patterns, and attachment-based approaches to strengthening connection between partners and family members.
Having two young children, finding time to slow down or have a moment to myself can feel nearly impossible. Because of this, I rely on small, intentional habits that help me maintain a sense of balance and support my mental well-being throughout the day. In the mornings, I make it a point to refill my water bottle with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime. This simple routine helps me stay hydrated and serves as a small act of self-care that sets a positive tone for the day. Another habit I find grounding is making my bed each morning. Even if the day becomes overwhelming or I am unable to complete everything I planned, having that one completed task provides a sense of order and accomplishment. In the evenings, I take time to meditate, often while holding my dog, Dakota. Her presence is deeply grounding, and the physical weight of her resting with me helps calm my body and mind, especially after challenging days.
I am originally from San Clemente, California, where I grew up by the beach before moving to Utah to help care for my mother during an illness. I traded the beach for the mountains, and while I deeply miss the ocean, I have come to appreciate the beauty of Utah—though I could do without the snow. Outside of my academic and clinical interests, I am very drawn to creativity and the arts. I enjoy horror movies, especially paranormal films and intentionally "bad" B-grade movies that are more fun than frightening. I have a long-standing passion for special effects makeup and spent time experimenting with monster makeup, which makes it no surprise that Halloween is my favorite holiday.
Sculpting is another passion of mine. While living in San Clemente, I participated in an art show featuring several of my pieces, and one of my sculptural busts received a Mayor’s Choice award. That experience was meaningful to me, not because of winning, but because it allowed me to share something deeply personal and creative with my community. Family and cultural exploration are also very important to me. I enjoy traveling with my family and intentionally exposing my children to different cultures and perspectives. So far, I have traveled to Mexico, Spain, Japan, Germany, Ireland, and Sweden, each experience adding something new to how I understand people and the world. In addition to my creative interests, I am a licensed cosmetologist and barber. I previously worked in a salon where I genuinely enjoyed the connections I built with clients—it was often a space where people shared pieces of their lives with me, and I found myself naturally drawn to listening, supporting, and holding space for others. Looking back, that experience feels like an early thread in my path toward becoming a therapist.
"I believe our lives are made up of chapters, each one unique and meaningful in shaping our personal journey. At times, people can become stuck in a particular chapter, rereading it repeatedly and feeling uncertain or afraid to turn the page toward what comes next. My therapeutic approach is grounded in the belief that exploring a client’s personal story—past, present, and future—can help uncover the patterns, meanings, and experiences that contribute to feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Through this process, I aim to support clients in gaining insight, reconnecting with their strengths, and gently moving toward new possibilities in their lives."
