Rachel Sirek

My work is informed by both clinical training and lived experience. My background in crisis and outpatient care across hospitals, jails, homes, and community settings has shaped my understanding of systemic inequities and how they impact our mental health. I’m passionate about advocating for mental health awareness, challenging the stigma surrounding mental health diagnoses, and creating space for greater understanding and connection.

Growing up neurodivergent and navigating systems that fell short of supporting me is why I’m passionate about helping others understand their own brains while working through trauma. I always struggled to find a therapist who understood me, and that inspired me to learn more about my own mental health and neurodivergence. I love working with bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, trauma, and C-PTSD, including BPD. I also enjoy working with people when these are paired with neurodivergence, including ADHD, autism, AuDHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, learning disabilities, and other ways of thinking and experiencing the world.

For those who are neurodivergent, common topics we’ll weave into sessions include sensory gating, novelty seeking, working memory, RSD, pattern recognition, sensory filtering, and time-driven productivity. We’ll look at emotional regulation-what does that look like with ADHD? We’ll also explore how PTSD can impact us when it’s paired with ADHD. Because these topics haven’t traditionally been taught, many of us can feel isolated, misunderstood, or develop inaccurate core beliefs about ourselves.

Whatever you come with, therapy can help you better understand your brain, create new neural pathways, reduce self-criticism, and develop a better relationship with your parts.

About Me:

I have a big Maine Coon cat named Moose who occasionally makes an appearance on camera. I love camping in the mountains, running, watching true crime, and snacks.

I love science, and we use it in session to better understand what’s happening with your brain, emotions, behaviors, and patterns. We use what works, explore what comes up, and build tools that actually make sense for your life. I draw from DBT, parts work, somatics, challenge your neural pathways with CBT, and incorporate polyvagal theory to help you better understand yourself and how your nervous system responds.

I also show up as me in the room. I have processing differences and write things down while you’re talking so I can fully take in what you’re saying. My ADHD shows up too, I might laugh and say I had an ADHD moment.

Our first session is usually a little more structured because we’ll complete the intake process and gather the information needed for insurance, as well as learn more about your background, goals, and what brings you to therapy.

After that, we get to be our weird selves and start exploring what’s showing up for you -whether that’s something from your week, patterns you’ve noticed, emotions, relationships, or just trying to better understand yourself. We’ll talk about how your brain works, how neurodivergence may impact your experiences, and what approaches feel supportive for you.

Therapy doesn’t have to look one specific way here. Feel free to move around, stim, take breaks, and show up as yourself. Bring your animals and dark humor.