Rachel Rood, MSW, LCSW

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally disconnected, or stuck in patterns that keep repeating — in yourself or in your relationships — you don’t have to face it alone. Many of the clients I work with come to therapy feeling anxious, on edge, shut down, or unsure how to move forward, even after trying to cope on their own. Therapy with me offers a grounded, trauma-informed, and supportive space to slow down, feel understood, and begin creating real, lasting change.

I work with teens (12+), adults, and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional overwhelm, and relationship challenges. Clients often begin therapy feeling disconnected from themselves or others, caught in cycles of reactivity, or struggling to feel safe and settled in their bodies. Over time, many people report feeling more grounded, emotionally regulated, and able to respond to life and relationships with greater clarity and ease.

My approach is warm, relational, and collaborative. You can expect therapy to feel supportive rather than clinical or rushed. I see you as the expert of your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you with curiosity, compassion, and practical tools. Together, we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you — whether that means talking things through, reflecting, using creativity, or gently noticing what’s happening in your body. I draw from CBT, DBT, ACT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), polyvagal theory, and somatic therapy, tailoring our work to your specific needs and goals.

When you’re ready, therapy can be a place where you don’t have to have everything figured out — just a willingness to show up. My hope is that through our work together, you’ll feel more grounded, connected, and empowered to live and relate in ways that feel more aligned and fulfilling.

somatic & talk therapy

Trauma and stress often live not just in our thoughts, but in our nervous systems. You might notice this as feeling constantly on edge, shutting down emotionally, having trouble sleeping, feeling disconnected from your body, or reacting in ways that don’t feel fully in your control. In our work together, you’ll learn to better understand how your body responds to stress and why these reactions show up — without judgment.

I integrate somatic therapy with talk therapy to help you develop a greater sense of safety, stability, and emotional regulation. Sessions may include gentle body-based practices woven naturally into conversation, such as breathwork, grounding, progressive muscle relaxation, or polyvagal-informed exercises. Everything is introduced at a pace that feels comfortable and collaborative — you are always in control.

Over time, clients often notice they feel more grounded, present, and emotionally steady. Many report less overwhelm, improved stress tolerance, and a stronger connection to their body and emotions. Rather than feeling stuck in survival mode, clients often begin responding to challenges with more clarity, self-compassion, and choice.

healing together: support for couples & families

Relationships can be a source of deep connection, but they can also bring up pain, miscommunication, and feelings of distance — especially when the same conflicts keep repeating. You may feel stuck, unheard, or unsure how to reconnect, even though you care deeply about one another. Couples therapy offers a steady, supportive space to slow down, feel understood, and rebuild connection.

In our work together, you’ll learn to recognize and understand the patterns beneath conflict, rather than staying caught in blame or reactivity. Using Imago Relationship Therapy and relationship-focused approaches, I help partners communicate more clearly, listen with empathy, and respond to one another with intention. Many couples begin to feel safer expressing themselves and more emotionally connected.

Over time, couples often report a deeper understanding of each other’s needs, stronger communication skills, and a renewed sense of closeness and teamwork. Instead of feeling like you’re working against one another, therapy helps you move toward being on the same side — facing challenges together with greater compassion, trust, and clarity.