Rachael Harkins, LPC, LMHC, NCC

My name is Rachael Harkins, LPC, LMHC, NCC. I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the states of Pennsylvania (#PC013413), Arizona (LPC-20468), and Colorado (LPC.0018535). I am also a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington (LH61509024). I am certified to practice teletherapy in the state of Florida. I hold credentials as a nationally certified counselor (NCC) as well. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is also where I received my training and my Masters of Science in Clinical Counseling / Psychotherapy from the Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Graduate Program of Chestnut Hill College in 2018. I am currently residing in Glendale, Arizona practicing individual psychotherapy through teletherapy platforms. I have 8 years experience in the mental health field, and over 5 years experience in Clinical Counseling private practice. Private practice allows for my full attention and integrity in my work with psychotherapy clients. I believe safety, connection, and trust are foundational to the facilitation of transformational healing and personal growth. Deep work takes deep patience, and all clients are witnessed with the utmost respect and reverance. Autonomy and individualized pace are honored and prioritized. I create a safe and sacred container within the therapeutic relationship through holding a genuine, welcoming, and nonjudgmental presence. My clients can always expect therapy to be a safe space to be themselves, without needing to "mask" or filter their essence or expressions. My clients feel more comfortable when they have their needs met, without having to put their outside world face on. Before the pandemic, I was very much an "in person" therapist. I noticed during the transition to teletherapy that it proved equally beneficial, if not more so, for my clientele. Teletherapy provided comfort and effectiveness in real-time settings, particularly for clients who were grappling with their executive functioning and organizing their inner & outer worlds. This approach has had a profound impact on the effectiveness and success of my work with clients, especially those who feel compelled to “perform” in all aspects of their lives. I meet you right where you are. I am always working in harmony with what helps integrate change more easily, and without harm. My most successful clients were more attuned to their environments of choice, leading to the development of realistic coping skills that they could practice in their most frequent and familiar surroundings. Having all your comforts and tools readily available during breakthroughs and moments of insight is highly beneficial. I also respect and have a deep appreciation for the fact that there are many ways to express yourself. I personally understand that sometimes there may be no words to describe a feeling or experience. I encourage and invite creative and other expressive interests and outlets into session. The discussion of special interests, music, art, hobbies, and other forms of media are all welcome and clinically encouraged. This helps in the goal of developing a secure healthy therapeutic relationship, while also providing a deeper view of your world. I bring a calm + cohesive flow that activates the left and the right brain. I can keep up with fast thinkers and hold reverence for intense feelers. My personal therapeutic style could be described as highly attuned, humanistic, transparent, empowering, and conversational. In recognition that humans are multidimensional, therapy is customized and collaborative. I use a variety of methods and modalities depending on the present needs and the energetic capacity of each client. In my practice, all clients have agency and are warmly encouraged to share their preferences. My therapeutic strengths and abilities are most valued by adult individuals who feel misunderstood, misrepresented, “out of balance”, “out of place”, "not enough", "too much", and “behind schedule”. I enjoy working with creatives, "multitaskers", "high achievers", "perfectionists", “late bloomers”, “people pleasers”, cycle breakers, highly sensitive people, neurodivergent adults, entrepreneurs, intuitives, unmothered mothers, visionaries, active helpers, facilitators of healing, and those that march to the beat of their own drum. Through my years of experience, it has been recognized that my therapeutic style and clinical expertise resonates well with those who have a unique perspective of their own. I am proud to be a compassionate and nurturing witness, a sounding board for ideas and goals, and a clinical advocate for my clients. I love helping clients overcome self-limiting beliefs and behaviors without compromising their agency and authenticity. It is an honor to whole-heartedly witness anyone re-connect with their organic self, goals, and relationships. Empathy, self-expression, and empowerment are at the core of my clinical practice. I am exceptionally motivated and committed to the liberation and wellness of those that I have the opportunity to work and connect with.