More on Rachael
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium, and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”
-Martha Graham
The story.
Life has been a wild ride, and it led me to follow a calling for honoring that human part in all of us.
In all the big shifts that have defined my life so far, the most adventurous happened when I decided to take a bold step and head back to grad school, bidding farewell to a nearly two-decade career in the performing arts. As I sat there like so many of us feeling confused and uncertain during the 2020 pandemic and racial protests, I felt my intuition on a deep level guiding me to make a change. No change is easy, but following that calling and choosing to embrace the fire inside instead of the (many) limiting beliefs that could have stopped me is why I’m here today.
My experience of going from performing arts to therapy felt unconventional, but looking back, a common thread emerges; I enjoy expressing myself through the instrument of my body. As a kid, I found my identity in athletic accomplishments. Then, as I navigated adolescence and stepped into adulthood, it transformed into singing, dancing, and acting. Creativity has always been woven into the fabric of who I am, and became a unique way I engage with my clients through the therapeutic process.
So, here I am, integrating all those paths that led me to this moment. My journey has been about self-expression, exploration, and a constant quest for authenticity. Life is a tapestry, and every twist and turn has shaped me into the therapist I am today. I'm here to help you navigate your unique journey, whether it's processing the unexpected turns or finding new ways to express yourself. Let's embark on this adventure together, embracing the beauty of our stories and discovering the authentic connections that make us who we are.
My training.
My education began at Sam Houston State University, leading me to a career as a freelance actor, director, and producer at many major regional theatres across the country, where I sharpened my skills of empathy, self-reflection, dedication, accountability, and relationship building. When I pursued my calling to help others, I fell in love with the program at University of Houston where I earned my Master of Social Work. An ongoing curiosity about the way mindfulness can bring us closer to ourselves has been further practiced in my career as a yoga instructor where I continue to experience and learn about what it feels like to be fully aligned with our bodies. That’s also helped me bring in new mindfulness approaches to my clients in the therapy room, broadening the ways to find clarity about what we’re needing inside.
My commitment.
I promise to show up consistently and authentically, and to pursue the most tailored approach to each person’s unique and special path. I will see you, walk alongside you and let you know I’m in your corner. Together, we will cultivate such a strong fire within yourself that it can’t help but spread its warmth and healing to those around you.