Rachel Starr

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and I believe we all have an innate desire to feel seen, valued, understood, and connected. When life’s daily stress and complicated relationships get in the way, it makes connection feel impossible. Sometimes we can feel like we're drowning or unreachable. My goal is to offer that warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard and empowered to make meaningful change in your life and get back to your true self.

I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, stress management, relationship and family concerns, life transitions, bullying, self-esteem, and other mental health challenges. I am also a certified PREPARE/ENRICH and SYMBIS facilitator, providing premarital and relationship-focused support to couples as they prepare for marriage and build a strong foundation together. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Development from San Diego State University and my Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. I look forward to meeting you wherever you are in your journey and working together toward greater connection, understanding, and well-being.

My approach to therapy is relationship focused, collaborative, and person-centered. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you as you explore your experiences, better understand yourself and your relationships, and identify the changes you would like to make. I draw from Attachment Theory and Family Systems Theory to help clients understand how their relationships and past experiences can influence the way they think, feel, and respond in the present.

Therapy is not about having all the answers or telling you what you "should" do. Instead, we will work together to create a space where you can be honest with yourself and others, explore difficult experiences at your own pace, develop practical tools, and build on the strengths you already possess. Whether you are seeking support for yourself, your family, or your relationship, I strive to meet you with compassion, curiosity, and understanding.

I see the first session an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what brought you to therapy. We will talk about your current concerns, your goals, relevant experiences and relationships, and what you hope to gain from counseling. I will also leave space to answer any questions you may have about the process.

Most importantly, you do not need to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. Starting therapy can feel kind of scary at first, and my goal is to make this feel as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Together, we will begin identifying what is most important to you and develop a plan for moving forward that feels realistic and meaningful for your individual needs.