THERAPY
Therapy will always focus on the identified needs of the unit of treatment (Child/Adolescent, Individual Adult, Couple, or Family). Rachelle’s approach is tenet on four key principles: Collaboration, Motivation, Individualization, and Exploration. Treatment goals are developed collaboratively and will be addressed at a pace that is appropriate for you, the client. The goal of therapy is always to provide a safe space for Rachelle’s clients to explore their relationships with self and others, and process ways of resolving, repairing, moving forward, and making changes that are the most effective for a specific client. . . Ultimately, the patterns we create in our lives at any given point can continue to affect what happens moving forward. Rachelle’s approach to therapy rests on many theoretical orientations, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, narrative, solution-focused, and others depending on specific needs.
To Rachelle, therapy is a space to delve into wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings not always shared outside the confines of self or safety. Rachelle targets areas of communication and obstacles to sharing these items with our trusted persons, utilizing skills of assertiveness and reflective listening to both model and assist clients in learning tools of expression. Psychoeducation regarding skills, psychosocial development, and areas of additional learning are often provided and serve to contextualize some of the difficulties faced, normalizing some of the struggles that are brought into therapy.
Rachelle’s experience, in addition to her empathetic demeanor provide the basis for her to help her clients learn to improve resiliency, increase distress tolerance, self-regulate, develop a strong sense of self, create new narratives, self-advocate, and make lasting change.
HIKING THERAPY
For those with a relationship to nature and some level of physical readiness, hiking therapy offers an effective alternative to traditional talk therapy. Hiking is not only a good form of physical exercise that releases endorphins, but exposure to sun and fresh air can lower stress levels. It’s a nature-based therapy that incorporates both physical and mental engagement and can be a great fit for those with anxiety, depression, addiction, and PTSD, as well as for those who struggle with self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and life changes.
The same qualities developed and needed for success in therapy are foundation for success with hiking; resilience, patience, commitment, and mindfulness. The freedom of the outdoors and the meaning one attaches to it provide an ideal environment for client and therapist to connect, exploring the presenting difficulties a client brings to the process. What happens while hiking (and through physical activity) can often help the client develop greater insight into how to address life’s challenges. According to the research, the greatest success in therapy comes from the therapeutic relationship one develops with one’s therapist. Working with a trained clinician to facilitate the process while also interacting with nature and all that it nurtures provides the client a unique opportunity to work through issues that incorporates mind, body, and spirit.
For more information on hiking therapy, please contact Rachelle.
