Rachel Allen LPC

After being introduced to psychology in high school, I knew I wanted to somehow use that subject to help people. When I got to college, I was introduced to the field of therapy and knew that was the best way for me to connect my interest in psychology and my passion for helping people. After I went through my own therapy with a great therapist, I knew it was the career path for me.

I'm a natural listener, and trust people to know themselves best. In therapy, that translates to me listening to clients and trying to understand their point of view. I believe that people do things for a reason, and I listen to find those reasons and share them with you. From there, I use my tendency for problem-solving to help people reach their goals. I also have an overall calm and easygoing personality, and my clients often comment on my "safe smile".

In our first session, I'll make sure you're comfortable, share about what to expect in therapy, and answer any questions you have. I'll invite you to share what brings you to therapy, and why now. I'll ask details about not just your symptoms, but your hobbies and interests, to get to know you as a whole person. The session is a balance between asking questions and listening. At the end of sessions, it's my goal for clients to feel comfortable enough to decide whether they'd like to continue working with me or seek another provider.

• Texas, Licensed Professional Counselor, 89773

I currently see individuals in private practice online, specializing in working with LGBTQIA+ clients and clinical concerns of anxiety, depression, trauma, dissociation, and life transitions. I also see a lot of asexual clients who feel unheard, misunderstood, or pathologized by other therapists. In the past, I've provided group therapy to survivors of trauma and those with dissociative identity disorder and borderline personality disorder. I've also administered various risk and symptom assessments to at-risk individuals in order to assist them in finding the best treatment for their unique situation. My other past experience includes seeing clients at a local LGBTQ resource center, completed HRT assessments, and provided counseling at a university-run clinic.