About Rachel
Rachel McGowan is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Massachusetts with 11 years of clinical experience. She focuses on common concerns such as anxiety, stress, depression, ADHD, trauma, and relationship or family problems. Her manner is warm and interactive, and she aims to create a nonjudgmental space where people can begin to address what feels overwhelming.
She uses practical tools to help people identify triggers and build coping skills.
Background and approach
Sessions often include mindfulness exercises and techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior approaches. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused ideas are used when the goal is clear and clients want concrete steps forward. Her background includes work as a clinician and as a school social worker, plus four years in a residential setting supporting people who experienced physical, sexual, or emotional trauma.
That variety of roles shaped her interest in mood disorders, panic and social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Rachel aims to help people practice skills until they become part of daily life. She emphasizes collaboration when making a plan and adjusts strategies based on what actually helps.
A therapy dog named Bauer sometimes participates in sessions to help people feel more at ease. People come to her for support with eating concerns, anger, self-esteem, bipolar mood patterns, parenting strain, and other life changes. She speaks English and provides care through a range of online formats to fit different needs.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. The therapist follows the person's lead, reflects what is said, and helps uncover goals. This approach is useful when someone needs a respectful, steady place to talk about anxiety, self-esteem, or life changes.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions. Sessions teach simple tools to test unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors to reduce panic, worry, or low mood. DBT, dialectical behavior therapy, adds skills for regulating strong emotions and managing reactions, which can be helpful for intense anger, mood swings, or ongoing stress.
Finding the right approach is a joint process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try techniques, and adjust plans based on what helps. That collaboration guides whether more CBT skills, mindfulness practice, or DBT strategies are emphasized.
Online therapy with Rachel is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well for teaching skills and practicing exercises together. Phone sessions can fit a short break or be used when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text are useful for brief check-ins, working through steps between sessions, or when typing feels easier than speaking. These options provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
Also listed
- Anger management
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Eating disorders
- Family conflicts
- Family problems
- LGBT
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 11 years
- Licensed
- Massachusetts
- Languages
- English
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