Rachelle Hart

As an integrative therapist, I use various approaches to support your healing journey and help you reconnect with your authentic self. 

For example:

With Acceptance Commitment Therapy, we focus on what matters most to you, which is particularly helpful for issues with anxiety, depression, and burnout. By reconnecting with your core values, we can explore unworkable actions that have become habitual but are no longer leading to fulfilling long term consequences.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy offers a body-centered approach that’s beneficial for trauma, PTSD, or overwhelming emotions. Unresolved trauma can manifest physically, and gentle somatic techniques allow us to release these patterns, fostering grounding and resilience. This method is useful if you have a history of trauma or if traditional cognitive therapies haven’t worked for you.

Narrative Therapy helps unlearn societal “shoulds” that shape your self-view. By examining how outside pressures influence your beliefs, we can address challenges like low self-esteem and identity struggles

Often, clients come in looking for a structured plan—like what they might receive from a visit to the doctor, where there's a clear treatment path and an expected timeline for improvement. They might ask for specific coping strategies or clarity on how long therapy will take, seeking that same level of predictability. 

Although answering questions about the process is important, therapy is a  different process than a medical visit. It’s a deeply human process that involves working with your heart and soul, not just addressing a physical issue. This can be hard to navigate because sometimes, people have an idea of what they think they want, but that doesn’t always align with their actual needs in the therapeutic setting.

While skill development and integration of tools are important, therapy often requires us to also explore our complex emotions and experiences.  I strive to help clients understand that this process is about discovering what you truly need from me, allowing for flexibility and openness as we work together to address the deeper issues at play. 

For many couples, by the time you decide to start therapy, you may have been struggling in silence for quite some time. Opening up and sharing your thoughts and feelings with me might feel uncomfortable at first, and building trust can take time. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where both of you feel heard and understood. I’ll guide you through conversations and exercises designed to help you reconnect, understand each other more deeply, and rebuild emotional closeness.

Changing patterns that have been a part of your relationship for a long time can also feel overwhelming. It takes effort and a willingness to try new ways of communicating and relating to each other. I can help by identifying common relationship pitfalls, such as criticism, defensiveness, or avoidance, and showing you healthier ways to express your needs, manage conflict, and support each other.

Therapy is a process, and meaningful growth takes time, patience, and commitment from both partners. I’ll work with you to set clear goals, celebrate small successes along the way, and encourage you to approach each other with compassion and curiosity. Together, we’ll take manageable steps toward building the kind of relationship you both want and deserve.

My approach to couples therapy is grounded in my training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, an evidence-based approach rooted in decades of research. This method provides practical tools to help couples strengthen their friendship, deepen intimacy, navigate conflict more effectively, and build a shared sense of purpose.

What sets my style apart is my focus on celebrating and amplifying the positive aspects of your relationship. While we address challenges, I also help you reconnect with the strengths and connection that brought you together. I aim to foster a deeper understanding of each partner’s unique needs and perspectives, helping you grow in empathy and appreciation for one another.

I also introduce new patterns of communication and interaction to enhance the longevity and quality of your relationship. Through structured, actionable strategies, I guide you in improving communication, repairing conflict, and nurturing emotional intimacy, creating a more resilient and fulfilling partnership.

Before I became a psychologist, I worked directly in community settings with youth, which gave me valuable insights into the day-to-day challenges they face. I understand how complex life can be at this stage—balancing the demands of school, family expectations, and social pressures while trying to figure out their identities can be overwhelming.

I witnessed firsthand how social media, peer relationships, and academic stress can weigh heavily on young people. It can be a confusing time, and many teens crave a positive, supportive presence in their lives—someone other than their parents who believes in their potential to change and grow.

Often, teens may feel more comfortable opening up to a therapist who is fully in their corner, providing unwavering support and guidance. I strive to create a safe space where they can express themselves freely and explore their feelings. Through our conversations, we can integrate practical skills to help them navigate their challenges and enhance their coping strategies.

As a therapist trained from a Solution-Focused perspective, I can help you focus on achievable goals and build coping skills in the earlier stages of our work. This approach is especially useful for challenges like situational stress, self-esteem issues, and managing symptoms of anxiety or mild depression.

For more complex or deeper issues, such as trauma or patterns from long-standing family dynamics, longer-term therapy can support more sustained transformation. Ultimately, our work together is always designed to align with your needs, ensuring you feel supported and empowered at every stage of your journey.