Healing with Respect
Because All Parts of You Are Welcome
No Matter What.
If you’ve been trying to relax, to “get over it,” to belong, to finally feel like you matter, or to just get through the night - then you already know that mental health isn’t about “figuring it out.” If it was - you’d already be there! Much of our experience is actually stored in our body and in non-memory parts of our brain. And try as we might - that subconscious wisdom can’t be cajoled, coerced, pressured, suppressed, or waited-out, if we want to heal and find lasting relief.
The great news is that we absolutely can heal the symptoms caused by trauma - and it doesn’t take years to do it. It takes safe, precise, and intentional methods.
Hi, my name is Rachel, and I know something about this struggle because I too come from a difficult past. Plus I’m queer, and trained to be a female in a patriarchy. But I also know first hand the miraculous relief and change this type of healing brings.
I am a mental health healer specializing in IFS (Internal Family Systems - think of befriending inner parts) and ITR (Instinctual Trauma Response - using simple line-drawings to heal neurologically). And no - you don’t need to be an “artist.”
The methods I use in my practice are some of the most advanced mental health disciplines in the world today. I love my work because I get to help people come out of suffering, by relying on the intrinsic wisdom of their mind and body. These methods respect that there is cause and reason for every aspect of the inner workings of every individual. This understanding provides the safety and feelings of trust required to heal tender places not usually accessible.
(Contrary to the typical Western view, trauma does not originate within the individual - but within society. Conversely, by healing individually - we begin to heal society)
I am here to help you have a life of aliveness and a sense of inner peace. Our work can help you release the heavy burdens of unresolved emotional injury - be it something you survived, or the pain handed down through generational trauma. Recovery from either kind of injury is just as doable. My work is not about mitigating or suppressing distress. It is about healing and releasing traumatic stress injuries so that people can live with more freedom, joy, and the radical gift of choice.
My Healing Sessions
I am not a licensed therapist, I am a healer with professional training received outside the university system. This means that I do not diagnose, nor do I prescribe pharmaceutical medications. Insurance companies will not cover my service. This also means that wherever you are physically located - If I have availability in my schedule I can work with you. And finally, I am not a mandatory reporter.
I am an Internal Family Systems (IFS) healer Level 2. I received my IFS training from the IFS Institute, and help train other IFS healers and therapists. I am an Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR) Certified Trauma Recovery Specialist. I received my ITR training from the ITR Training Institute. I have had 4 years of supervision from an Licensed therapist within my disciplines. I have 37 years of experience in the study and healing of family disfunction and addictions. I am based in Portland, Oregon.
Congratulations for making the decision to visit. I’m so glad you’re here.
Personally, I believe that getting to know and heal our mental state is the most important gift we can give ourselves and our world - in this lifetime. I know that’s a big statement, and it took me half a century to come to that. But there it is. So welcome! Truly.
I provide online sessions for individuals who want to find peace and self-actualization by healing trauma. Whether from childhood, adult experience, a current situation, or the type of trauma passed down through the generations - I can help. There is no reason that you need to have unresolved trauma wounds. I have personally experienced and seen healing over and over, and I am confident that you can heal too. If you’d like to know more - I offer 25 minute free consultations.
And Here’s Why
I haven’t seen anyone decide to work on to inner healing because they were having a good day. If you’re like most of us, we don’t get off the dime until something hurts, a lot, for a long time. But once we make the commitment, I believe we can transmute pain, and heal whatever is holding us down. Why am I so confident? Two reasons. The first reason is, I’ve seen it. I’ve worked with people who have created lives they now actually want to be in.
The second reason is, I’ve done it. This isn’t theory for me. I’ve been in the hot-seat of vulnerability and action that you are considering, and I have reaped the rewards. I have “done my homework,” and am not afraid of the rain, yours or mine. I have complete confidence in the human ability to recover and heal, given the willingness to take action.
If you are considering working with me, I offer one free 30-minute session so you can chat, ask questions, and get a feel for my style of work. I also suggest you look over my choosing a mental health practitioner page. It’s all about finding the right professional for YOU. Whatever you do - I urge you to stay true to your journey of Self knowledge, because you ARE worth it.