Rachel Cresse

Hi I’m Rachel, the owner and therapist of Pond of Peace Counseling and Wellness! I serve clients with a wide array of presenting problems; with special focus on facing change & transition at any point in the lifespan, as well as those still battling the lasting effect of chaotic childhoods and complex trauma. I believe in the use of mindfulness and mind-body approaches to wellness and healing in addition to talk therapy. I have both personal and professional experience with first responders and military members, with insight into these fields' unique challenges.

My approach to therapy is personalized to the client in front of me. I am not a therapist who says or uses the same rote approaches with every client. I show up authentically as me, and welcome my clients to do so as well. For me this means being casual, warm, and bringing humor into the session. No, I'm not offended if you drop the occasional "F bomb;" or even if you show up to therapy in your gym clothes (that's supposed to be the benefit of telehealth, right?). All are welcome with me in therapy; no judgement.

In addition to being a therapist, I am also a 200-hour certified yoga teacher, which informs my use of mindfulness and mind-body connection. Therapy helps us discover our Self, our Why, and the multifaceted ways we "tick." It's an adventure of a lifetime.

I also approach therapy (when needed) as a problem solving tool: an opportunity to learn and try-on new skills and practices. If you're feeling lost or stuck, I'll help you try to identify ways to shake things up and create meaningful change. "If you change nothing, nothing changes" is a mantra I live by.

In the first session I'll take time (and ask a lot of questions) to get to know you, explore what made you decide to come to therapy, your history, etc. If time permits, we'll then discuss your goals for therapy and what I think may be helpful in a collaborative process to outline a game plan (if we don't have time that OK too, we'll just do it in the second session!). You'll meet and get a feel for me, and you might see or hear my little dog, Pond.

If you’re curious about how we might work together, reach out for a free consultation. I’d be glad to connect. **I am also privately in-network with/able to bill Medicare, and TriCare East**