Rate Rachel Stewart

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

This is an old Buddhist saying that speaks to one of the fundamental truths about life--we will all experience pain, but you have the autonomy to decide how that pain impacts your journey. I am here to help you let go of the suffering and to find peace. As a therapist, I prioritize the therapeutic relationship and take a person-centered approach

to empower individuals to obtain their goals and become the best versions of themselves. I consider myself to have a job of high privilege; to be trusted as a co-pilot, or coach as I sometimes refer, on your journey to healing. I often tell my clients, you are driving the bus, and I’m here just sharing what I know.

I received my Master's Degree in 2018 from Rowan University in New Jersey. I have spent the beginning years of my career working in a partial hospitalization programs, community-based services, and community mental health. Though my previous experiences, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and passion specific to conceptualizing and treating clients through a DBT framework, facilitating treatment groups, and working on multi-disciplinary treatment teams. From these experiences, I developed an eclectic therapeutic orientation that focuses on the use of client’s strengths and evidence- based practices, specifically, DBT, CBT, TF-CBT, and motivational interviewing to facilitate change. I believe DBT serves as a practical and effective vehicle that promotes autonomy and change within clients. I appreciate the structure, use of pragmatic skills, and acting as a cheerleader (i.e., validator) for my clients while gently challenging them to make change, reduce suffering, and create a life worth living. I actively integrate DBT skills with my current

clients when appropriate. Along with my knowledge and passion for DBT, I also have extensive experience related to trauma-informed care, specifically related to substance-use specific approaches, working with families, attachment, regulation, and competency (ARC) and

adoption-competency.

I am a firm believe in practicing what you preach. When I am not working I practice accumulating positives by doing all things outdoorsy—trail running, ski touring, cross-country skiing, camping, hiking, kayaking, you name it! I am usually accompanied by my rambunctious Border Collie, Enzo! I also enjoy binge-watching reality TV, indulging in a true-crime podcast, or diving into a book. I look forward to working with you!