“We’re all stories in the end, just make it a good one, eh?”

-The 11th Doctor from ‘Doctor Who’

I am Rachel (she/her)!

Counseling Philosophy  

My approach comes with an understanding that people are multifaceted. When challenges arise, there is no cookie-cutter fix for the situation you may be facing as you are unique, and your therapy should be tailored to your needs. Talking about difficult matters can be hard, but it can be a little easier when you know you have someone you can trust to discuss them with. I come to sessions with the goal of being supportive, resourceful, authentic, and empathetic as building rapport with my clients is crucial to the therapeutic alliance. 

There is a risk of feeling worse after a session due to opening of old emotional wounds and unrealized issues. If this does arise, please let me know as it is my goal to make the counseling atmosphere a safe place to continue discussion, exploration, and create plans of action. 

Therapeutic Orientation 

I work with many theoretical foundations like Existential-Phenomenology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy, Object Relations, Family Systems, and Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy. That may mean absolutely nothing to you, and that’s ok! Ultimately, each client’s needs vary, so the theories and approaches I use will be tailored to you and the goals we discuss in treatment together in therapy.  

 

Areas Of Specialty  

  1. Counseling addresses social, emotional, and psychological difficulties and is a collaborative effort in creating goals to work toward solutions between the counselor and client. 

  2. Career counseling explores career options and work to match skills, interests, and work-related values for choosing, changing, or leaving a career at any stage of life.  

  3. Art therapy uses art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork as a therapeutic and healing process. 

I work with:  

  • Folks managing life milestone concerns, anxiety, depression & feeling stuck, relationship & familial distress, trauma, self-esteem challenges, peer & academic related stress, identity concerns, grief & loss, ADHD, disordered eating, cancer & chronic illness, and career/occupational stress. 

  • Those facing societal & familial stressors related to gender, sexuality & intimacy, and relationship orientation. 

  • Those who want to integrate their marginalized or alternative spiritual practices into therapy but fear being judged, misunderstood, or condemned. 

  • Clients who are artists, entertainers, and creators that seek therapy to improve their mental health and find themselves creatively blocked.   

 

Qualifications 

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Sculpture, Wayne State University  

            Professional Studio Artist, Commercial Art & Set Design

Master of Arts in Counseling with Concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Art Therapy, Wayne State University; accredited by CAECREP and CAAHEP/ACATE 

Limited Licensed Counselor, The State of Michigan  

Art Therapist, American Art Therapy Association

Memberships

  • American Counseling Association

  • Association for Creativity in Counseling

  • Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling

  • Michigan Association of Art Therapy

  • American Art Therapy Association

Publications  

Created and contributed to course content for AT 6360: People in Relationships: Theoretical Approaches for Clients Facing Relationship Challenges (Wayne State University, College of Education)

            Dr. Karen Schurgin, ATR-BC, LPC, LP, co-contributor 

Created and contributed to course content for AT 6360: Relationship Therapy (Wayne State University, College of Education)

            Dr. Karen Schurgin, ATR-BC, LPC, LP, co-contributor