Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Salida, CO covered by Aetna

Hi, my name is Rachael and I have 20+ years of experience working with children / teens / adults as a Licensed Professional Counselor, providing mental health and substance abuse therapy services. My background includes individual and group therapy in home-based settings, schools, inpatient/residential facilities, and various correctional environments. I currently offer telehealth therapy services throughout the State of Colorado.

I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner who works from the belief that people are not broken—and that many of the struggles we call “mental illness” make sense when we look at trauma, context, and lived experience. I’m especially attuned to the ways mental health systems, stigma, and labels can unintentionally cause harm, and I aim to practice in a way that feels respectful, collaborative, and deeply human.

My approach is unconventional and trauma-informed, influenced by perspectives like those of Gabor Maté, which emphasize compassion, curiosity, and understanding symptoms as meaningful responses rather than defects. I do not believe in rushing to pathologize the human experience. As Joni Mitchell once reflected about depression, sometimes what we’re feeling is not an illness to be fixed, but a signal—an honest response to pain, loss, or a world that has not been kind.

My priority is to provide a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you feel heard, respected, and supported. With over 40 years in healthcare—including service as a former Navy Nurse Corps Officer and retired military veteran—I bring values of resilience, trust, and teamwork into every therapeutic relationship. I view care as a partnership and work to empower you to take an active role in your mental health.

Clinical Focus & Services

I provide pharmacotherapy (medication management) motivational interviewing, and other therapeutic modalities. We can assess during the first meeting if your treatment requires additional therapeutic support. I will provide a referral to a licensed therapist to ensure you receive comprehensive care. My practice supports:

• ADHD (I am an ADHD Certified Clinical Support Provider)
• College students with focus/concentration concerns,school overload, or interrelationship difficulties
• OCD
• Anxiety & Stress
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Trauma
• Mild to Moderate Depression
• Interrelationship issues
• Smoking cessation
• Gambling addiction
• Shop lifting addiction
• Smoking Cessation
• Alcohol Addiction

Welcome! I know reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, and my hope is that from our first session you'll feel comfortable showing up exactly as you are. I'm warm, down-to-earth, and bring a sense of curiosity, humor, and authenticity into my work. I believe therapy doesn't have to feel overly clinical, it's a collaborative space where we can talk honestly about what's going on, celebrate your strengths, and work through the messy parts of being human together. I have experience supporting adults, couples, and teens through anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, stress, and substance use concerns, and I tailor our work to what feels most helpful and meaningful to you. Whether you're looking for practical tools, deeper self-understanding, or simply a place to exhale and be heard, I'd be honored to be part of your journey.

As a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree from The National Catholic School of Social Services, I bring extensive experience from my work in university-based teaching hospitals and ambulatory care clinics. My practice focuses on supporting adults and their caregivers through challenges such as anxiety, depression, complex medical conditions (acute and chronic), medical trauma, loss, grief, and significant life transitions.

I have a specialization in guiding individuals and their caregivers through the cancer journey, encompassing every phase—from diagnosis and treatment to recovery, survivorship, and end-of-life care. I have also worked extensively with patients undergoing stem cell transplants, CAR-T and immunotherapy.

My training and experience also includes helping individuals manage disorders of the brain-gut interaction. Support, education and strategies address the connection between the mind and gastrointestinal health. Recognizing that everyday stressors can greatly affect your well-being, I adapt my clinical approach to suit a variety of life situations, always tailoring care to meet your unique needs.

I believe that healing happens when people feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood. My goal is to create a supportive, collaborative space where you can explore life's challenges, build on your strengths, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work and more than 11 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of settings, helping people navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and complex systems. Before becoming a social worker, I spent several years as a grassroots community organizer, advocating alongside individuals and communities to address systemic barriers and promote social change. That experience continues to shape my belief that every person's story is influenced by both their personal experiences and the larger systems around them.

My approach is compassionate, culturally responsive, and strengths-based. I recognize that seeking therapy is a courageous step, and I strive to create a space where you can show up as your authentic self without judgment. Together, we'll identify your goals, build practical tools, and work toward the life you want to create.

Whether you're navigating a difficult season, processing past experiences, or simply looking to better understand yourself, I would be honored to support you on your journey.

“I help people build lives—and careers—worth living.” I specialize in guiding clients through emotional intensity, identity disruption, and vocational misalignment. My approach blends DBT and Career Construction Theory with Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and evidence-based modalities rooted in meaning-making and personal agency.

Whether you're a teen navigating emotional intensity, an LGBTQ+ individual reclaiming identity amidst cultural stress, or a professional seeking to realign purpose, I offer a structured and symbolic space for change. Together, we illuminate archetypal patterns, deconstruct inherited narratives, and build lives anchored in values, clarity, and psychological flexibility.

I’m a Colorado‐licensed therapist with over 20 years of experience helping people move through life’s hardest moments. I work with a calm, steady presence and a deep respect for each person’s story. My style is warm, direct, and grounded in real‐world experience. I care about creating a space where you feel understood, supported, and never judged. My goal is to help you feel stronger, clearer, and more connected to yourself.