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!