Rachel Baker (she/her), MS, NCC, LPC
Finding the right counselor can be an overwhelming journey and hope you are able to take the time you need to process so much information in our fast paced world.
When working together, I view problems from a structuralism framework. In other words, I believe we are deeply impacted by the society we participate in and by our relationships.
I also believe that utilizing mindfulness in the therapy space can assist in nervous system regulation, and allow us to tune into our deeper emotions. If you are feeling disconnected from your body or are experiencing rumination, worry and stress from the fast paced world we are in, I welcome you to read below to learn more about MBSR.
Therapy is important, and finding the right fit as a client is even more important. I approach therapy from a highly relational, process-oriented framework. What this means is that, while working through past traumatic or challenging experiences will be an intergral part of our work together, I also may unpack current experiences in therapy when appropriate. My first and foremost goal , however, is to prioritize and cultivate a strong and authentic therapeutic alliance between myself and you.
It is crucial to me that I approach my clients from a forever curious lens. I believe that, no matter how many hours we log together, I will always strive to better understand you than I did our previous session. This is a deep part of the style I embody as your counselor, rooted in narrative therapy. It is essential to me that I fully believe your story and experience, while holding it with the utmost gentleness and respect.
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
What is Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)?
Just like talking to a therapist, MBSR, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., can be an additional path to alleviating unwanted stress, anxiety or other unsavory experiences. MBSR can also help us slow down to better detect root emotions and feelings under the thoughts we are having constantly throughout the day. When we are able to access those deeper feelings, we often feel a sense of lightness, ease and balance afterwards.
Mindfulness has been proven to regulate our nervous system, and reduce anxiety – even when practicing mindfulness for two minutes.
When appropriate, I utilize guided mindfulness and meditation interventions that are customized to your personal experiences, therapeutic goals and needs. You may be a good fit for MBSR and mindfulness in sessions if:
-You enjoy or are yearning for a closer connection with your body.
-You are experiencing rumination, anxiety and worry.
-You are experiencing diminished self-trust.
-You are feeling overwhelmed, heavy, or your brain is feeling filled with haze or thoughts.
-You are experiencing body tension and/or chronic pain.
-You are feeling numb, or are craving a clearer understanding of your feelings throughout the day.
My training in MBSR, combined with my training in my 200 hour yoga certification course, has informed my therapeutic services immensely. For more information on how I may utilize mindfulness and meditations in session, I invite you to schedule a 20 minute consultation below.
Social Justice
My work as a White, Jewish, cis, heterosexual female practitioner requires a continuation of self inquiry regarding my privilege and how it shows up in the counselor-client relationship. I commit to always examining relationships with my clients and myself from an anti-oppression framework and recognize the education and work I will always have to put forth in order to be a better ally for my clients. As your counselor, I expect to make mistakes due to the multiple privileged identities I hold. However, I will always make our relationship and your emotional safety a priority by apologizing when I have made a mistake. I will make space for you to express your feelings and deem it as a wholehearted truth during our work together. To put it simply, I will always completely believe you and your experience.
I do not discriminate on the basis of gender expression/identity, relationship orientation, sexuality, race, nationality, ability/disability status, socioeconomic status, political orientation or religious beliefs.
Approaches I draw from
Narrative Therapy
Solutions-focused
Process-oriented
Strengths-based
Person-centered
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT)
Feminist Therapy
Providing support in these areas
Self-esteem
Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
Grief/Loss
Ambiguous grief-loss
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy
Compassion-focused Therapy
Life transitions, anxiety, grief and trauma are all common reasons we seek counseling services. Part of these experiences require us to grapple with difficult events and feelings. Unfortunately, our society does not know how to have a relationship with difficult feelings. Many of us have been taught at a young age that feeling sad, guilty, scared or nervous is time wasted and emotions that we should shut down or avoid.
Not only is this untrue, but pushing our feelings and judging our feelings can cause a form of anguish that blocks us in our healing journey. However, when we are able to welcome our challenging feelings with open arms, our uncomfortable feelings take a different shape. Through this practice, we can learn what our feelings are teaching us, befriend them, and utilize them on our path of growth and wellbeing.
Weaving self-compassion into a therapeutic setting can make room for you to practice self-love and self-acceptance. We may practice mindfulness exercises together in order to anchor in to a self-compassionate space. We may try and better understand the stories you are telling yourself in a way that feels calming, true to your experience and kind toward yourself.