Rachel Max

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California and have been practicing in the mental health field since 2016. I am a trained practitioner of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and I prioritize a flexible, collaborative approach to your mental health treatment where your needs, safety, and wellbeing are at the center. In addition to ACT, I employ an eclectic, integrative approach including Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy and Attachment Theory, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness. I have a master’s in social work from San Diego State University and completed my bachelor’s in music at Kenyon College. I am a certified yoga instructor, lover of food, cooking, and baking, and thoroughly enjoy long walks while listening to podcasts or audiobooks. I understand that the therapeutic relationship, based on trust, non-judgement, and safety, comes before all other things in our work together. I also acknowledge that change does not occur solely within the container of therapy, rather, it happens out there in your “real life.” I view therapy as a space to experiment, try new things, and practice shifting your perspective to grow and to learn more about yourself. I emphasize the role of environmental and cultural factors in mental health treatment; I empower my clients to harness their existing strengths while building new resources to thrive. In my experience, the path toward building a life worth living is to practice getting present, experience feeling fully and wholeheartedly, take action where you can, and learn when and where to soften. I help adult individuals who feel stuck, who struggle to feel comfortable being with themselves or with others, who find their emotions to be overwhelming or avoid difficult emotions altogether, who feel trapped by their anxiety, or who feel like life is unfulfilling, like something is missing. My goal is to help people live wholehearted, connected, values-centered lives experiencing the pleasure and the pain, sorrow and joy, and everywhere in between. I love what I do, and I care very much about my clients. Your experience matters to me. WHAT IS ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY? ACT is a cognitive behavioral model, which essentially means that we work in the realm of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. ACT's primary goal is to help us practice something we call "psychological flexibility," where we can be present with all kinds of thoughts, emotions, and experiences, even the ones that are not so pleasant. ACT acknowledges that being a human includes difficult and painful experiences, and also it emphasizes that we can live a meaningful life in the face of all of that. ACT also helps us figure out what is most important to us in this life and prioritizes living in alignment with those things. I am happy to send you more information about it, so please reach out! LGBTQIA+ affirming Accepting of all races, ethnicities, cultures, and identities.