Rachel Katznelson

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Arizona, specializing in trauma, attachment, substance use, and psychedelic integration. I hold a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and am currently completing my PhD in Transpersonal Psychology, where my research focuses on inner healing intelligence, somatic integration, and transformation through altered states of consciousness.

My approach is both grounded and deeply experiential. I integrate somatic therapy, parts work, mindfulness, and attachment-focused interventions to help clients move beyond insight and into real, embodied change. I believe that healing doesn’t come from fixing what’s “wrong,” but from reconnecting with the innate intelligence within you that already knows how to heal.

I work well with clients who feel stuck in patterns they can’t think their way out of—whether that’s anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, or cycles of substance use. Many of my clients are high-functioning but internally overwhelmed, disconnected, or carrying unresolved emotional pain. Together, we create a space that is honest, supportive, and sometimes challenging—in the service of real growth.

I also specialize in integration work for individuals exploring or recovering from psychedelic experiences. I help clients make meaning of these experiences and translate insights into sustainable, grounded change in their daily lives.

In our work together, you can expect a balance of compassion and accountability. I’ll meet you where you are, but I’ll also help you move forward. My goal is to support you in building a life that feels aligned, regulated, and genuinely yours—not just one that looks okay on the outside.

My approach to therapy is integrative, experiential, and rooted in the belief that lasting change happens through both insight and embodiment. I don’t just focus on talking about problems—I help clients understand what’s happening in their nervous system, their body, and their internal world so they can create real, sustainable shifts.

I draw from somatic therapy, parts work (inner child and protective parts), mindfulness, and attachment-based approaches. This means we explore not only your thoughts and behaviors, but also how past experiences—especially relational and developmental trauma—are still showing up in your body, emotions, and patterns today.

In sessions, I help clients slow down and build awareness of their internal experience. We work with tools like nervous system regulation, tracking sensations, and developing a relationship with different parts of the self. This allows clients to move out of survival patterns (like anxiety, shutdown, or reactivity) and into a more grounded, regulated, and connected state.

I also specialize in substance use and recovery, where I focus on understanding the deeper emotional and relational drivers behind use—not just stopping the behavior, but transforming the underlying patterns. Additionally, I offer psychedelic integration support, helping clients make sense of meaningful or intense experiences and apply those insights in a practical, embodied way.

My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I create a space where you can feel safe to be honest, while also gently challenging you when needed so you don’t stay stuck. Therapy with me is not passive—it’s an active process where we’re working together to help you build insight, resilience, and a stronger connection to yourself.

In our first session, my priority is getting to know you—both what’s bringing you into therapy and who you are beyond the challenges you’re facing. We’ll talk about your current concerns, your history, and what you’re hoping will be different in your life as a result of this work.

I also pay attention to how your experiences are showing up in real time, not just what you’re saying but how you’re feeling in your body and nervous system. This helps me begin to understand your patterns more holistically and allows us to start building awareness right away.

You can expect a space that feels supportive, grounded, and nonjudgmental. At the same time, I’m an active therapist—I’ll guide the conversation, ask meaningful questions, and help you begin connecting dots early on. Many clients leave the first session already feeling a sense of clarity, relief, or deeper understanding.

We’ll also start identifying initial goals together. These might include things like reducing anxiety, improving emotional regulation, working through trauma, building healthier relationships, or breaking cycles related to substance use. If relevant, we can also discuss integration work for past psychedelic experiences.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer sense of how I work, what our focus will be, and whether it feels like a good fit. My goal is for you to feel both supported and empowered—like this is a space where real change is possible, and where you don’t have to navigate it alone.