In our work together, I prioritize building a trusting therapeutic relationship. My communication style is warm, non-judgmental, and collaborative. I aim to create a space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to make positive changes.

Rachel Townes, MA, LPC, ACS, CCTP. Counseling is building relationships that produce strength-based behaviors for healing and recovery. My preferred modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy, and other therapies for addictions counseling, trauma-informed care, and family relational matters. The counselor is a guide and supports the client as they establish new behaviors and coping skills for stabilization and healing. The most prominent skill used in sessions is relationship building as the therapeutic alliance is the vehicle for therapies such as DBT, trauma-focused counseling, domestic violence counseling, and addiction counseling.

I believe in the intrinsic worth of all human beings. I believe that many people do not see their value because it is overshadowed by the shame caused by their perceptions of who they should be and what they should be achieving. There are many reasons why these distortions exist; but one thing is for certain, it creates a feeling of being a fraud and deep shame. A lot of time and energy is used to counteract this secret shame. I feel that it is important to help teens and adults to become authentic and accepting of their strengths and weaknesses instead of putting our emotional and physical energy in denying and being afraid of our humanness. It is exhausting and paralyzing to be so afraid of our imperfections. I believe there is value in accepting our own humanity. We have to climb off our self imposed pedestal which is secretive and isolating and connect with other human beings without the fear of being discovered a fraud. It is so freeing and meaningful.

I specialize in the treatment of sexual issues such as pornography and sexual addiction, and treatment for pre- and post-adjudicated individuals with sexual behavior challenges. I provide individual, family, and group therapy, comprehensive psychosexual risk assessment for individuals charged with sexual offenses at the pre- and post-conviction stages, and expert testimony. Prior to creating my own practice, I was the executive director and co-owner of Freeland and Hildembrand Clinical and Forensic Associates, a community-based, full-service forensic mental health clinic that worked exclusively with adults and juveniles with sexual behavior issues. I offer relapse prevention and psychoeducational-based treatment utilizing a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach. My relapse prevention training is designed to assist clients in understanding their offense or sexual addiction cycle, triggers, and the steps they need to take to avoid acting out sexually. Therapy with me will be highly interactive, with a strong psychoeducational component aimed at helping clients better understand and take control of their sexual compulsions.

We all have challenges that hold us back and keep us from living our best life. Maybe you have been disappointed, experienced loss, trauma, or rejection. Perhaps you have struggled with divorce, anxiety, isolation, or low self-esteem. You may be going through a difficult transition. I offer a blend of tools to help you begin to feel better. I bring solid experience and research-based strategies to my work. I believe in working with each person in a way that is individualized for them and honors the way they think and feel. I strive to make everyone feel comfortable, safe and supported during our sessions. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but also draw from many other techniques.

I am a licensed professional counselor with a passion for helping individuals explore and resolve their own problems. I have over 17 years of experience in the field of mental health, working with a diverse population. I am an innovative and effective professional with outstanding therapeutic and interpersonal skills. I have a talent for motivating, teaching, supporting, and effectively collaborating with individuals to help them achieve their treatment goals. I am highly motivated and conscientious. I can offer a wealth of knowledge, experience, and transferable skills in therapeutic sessions. My main therapeutic foundations are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and individual and group dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). I have had great success with individuals experiencing severe mental health conditions and co-occurring challenges, including, but not limited to, major depressive issues, mood conditions, anxiety, eating issues, behavioral conduct challenges, personality conditions, and substance or alcohol use challenges etc.

Is your mind spinning with worries and you just want a break from the endless "to do" list, anxiety and insecurity? Perhaps you find yourself physically or emotionally exhausted each day. If you're struggling internally, or in your relationship and want to feel better, counseling can be helpful. Are you ready to start working on your self-care but just don’t know where to start? Perhaps you've decided it’s time to get your life back. Many people get caught in the negative cycle where feeling anxious, depressed or stressed is a way of life, especially in today's world. It's easy to forget that a better life awaits us if we reach out for support to help us find what we're looking for. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, you can have a life where your days are greeted with more inner peace, more confidence and hopefulness for what lies ahead. If you are sick and tired of feeling overwhelmed, we want to help you feel better. Like you, our clients are regular, everyday women who are struggling with life's difficult ups and downs. Life's overwhelming stressors can turn into having issues such as anxiety and depression, stress and trauma, women's wellness issues including self esteem and body image, relationship problems and hard life transitions. Therapy will be tailored to meet your specific, individual needs. By using a practical approach and collaborating with you, we can find your path to a happy, healthy, fulfilled and meaningful life through the process of therapy. It might not seem so, but it is possible to start feeling good about yourself and your life. Contact us today to set up an appointment or for more support.

I help people change through developing a greater awareness for all of themselves, which allows them greater resources to deal with the struggles that they are experiencing. As clients develop greater awareness of themselves, including their wants, needs, emotions, and ways of relating to others, they tend to develop a wider range of choices in their lives. They learn to recognize what they do that keeps them from being their best selves. They also learn to tap into and use their own internal wisdom to help guide their choices, developing a greater authenticity in their lives. In relationships, couples and families develop greater intimacy and ability to use conflict to further their relationship through their greater awareness of themselves and their other family members. People I work with also learn with guidance and coaching to experiment with new ways of being with themselves and others in the world, which furthers their growth and development into more happy, fulfilled human beings. As an experienced psychotherapist and former graduate psychology professor, I have developed a wide range of expertise in helping others. I am honored and humbled by the courage and spirit of the people I work with and the struggles they face. I feel privileged to help people come to terms with pain, face challenges, and change their lives.

At Starobin Counseling we focus on helping people repair and strengthen their relationships with themselves and their relationships with others. We regard relationships as central to the therapeutic process. Some challenges in life are purely personal, but most problems express themselves in the intersections people have with other people. Therapy helps people repair their inner selves, often injured by relational ruptures, and learn and practice being in relational health with one another. Therapy helps people hear themselves think, experience feelings, gain new perspectives. We help people recognize and strengthen their own vitality and resiliency so they can unlock their capacity for compassionate and meaningful connections. We are a neurodiversity-minded, neurodiversity-affirming, gender-affirming, and culturally aware and sensitive practice.

**I have a limited number of in-person and telehealth sessions available. Please contact me to see if I am a good match and our schedules align.** My initial goal in therapy is to deeply understand the unique individual sitting across from me. I take a holistic approach to this task. I understand that the mind, body, spirit, and relationships are all connected and impacted by one another. I think of my clients as more than just a collection of problems and diagnoses. I want to understand your strengths and talents as well as your struggles and areas for growth. I also want to understand where you have come from and where you would like to go. As we better understand how your life story impacts your current feelings, motivations, and relationships, you will likely experience increased self-acceptance and the ability to make to make better decisions about your future. Intellectual insight alone, although useful, is often not enough to allow clients to fully make the kinds of life changes that they desire. Consequently, I also utilize methods from more action-oriented approaches to therapy that focus on obtaining new skills and practicing new behaviors. These skills are often focused on learning new ways of managing difficult feelings and improving communication and intimacy in relationships. I believe that a therapist and client should work together as a team. I will bring my energy, experience, and compassion to the therapeutic relationship. I ask you for openness, honesty, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. My goal is to work with you to help you achieve a greater sense of happiness, peace, integrity, and satisfaction in your life.

Our approach is first and foremost to offer acceptance and understanding. Our clinicians have a variety of theoretical orientations and approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, attachment-based therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and interpersonal therapy. All of us have training and experience with a family systems approach to therapy and are able to integrate this into our work.

Hello beautiful soul, and welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. If you’re considering therapy, it probably means you’re ready to invest in yourself and create meaningful change in your life. That’s a courageous step, and I’m honored to support you on this journey. My approach to therapy is warm, compassionate, and deeply authentic. I believe that healing happens when we feel safe, seen, and supported, so I create a space where you can be fully yourself without judgment. I take a mindful and holistic approach, meaning I don’t just focus on the challenges you’re facing, I honor your strengths, your values, and the unique story that makes you who you are. Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back, uncover your innate wisdom, and empower you to move forward in a way that feels true to you. I specialize in working with people who tend to prioritize others’ needs above their own, those navigating anxiety or Obsessive Compulsion (OCD), and anyone going through life stage transitions. Many of my clients are working to break free from old patterns, like people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling stuck in cycles of worry or self-doubt. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. I know how overwhelming it can feel to juggle life’s demands while trying to stay connected to yourself, and I’m here to help you find balance, clarity, and peace. When we work together, you can expect a supportive and collaborative relationship. I’ll meet you where you are, tailoring our sessions to what you need most, whether that’s practical tools to manage anxiety, gentle guidance to set boundaries, or space to process and reflect. I’ll challenge you when it’s helpful and offer insights to help you see things from a fresh perspective, but I’ll always follow your pace and respect your boundaries. My goal is to help you feel more empowered, confident, and grounded—not just in therapy, but in your everyday life. If you’re ready to start, or if you’re curious to learn more, I’d love to connect and see if we’re a good fit. Therapy is a partnership, and finding the right therapist is an important step. You deserve to work with someone who understands and supports you fully. I offer a free 30-minute consultation for anyone looking to explore more details about my services and therapeutic style.