- Years in practice
- 11
- Credentials
- LICSW
- Licensed in
- Massachusetts
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Depression
- Focus
- ADHD
About Rachel
Rachel McGowan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Massachusetts with 11 years of clinical experience. She offers a warm, interactive approach and creates a respectful, nonjudgmental space for people to talk through stress, anxiety, mood concerns, and parenting questions. Her style is collaborative and aimed at practical change.
Rachel draws from client-centered methods to build trust and make goals feel realistic. She uses cognitive behavioral techniques to spot thinking patterns and practice new behaviors.
Background and approach
Dialectical behavior therapy skills and mindfulness exercises are offered to manage intense emotions and reduce reactivity. Her background includes work as a clinician and as a school social worker, plus several years in a residential setting supporting people who experienced physical, sexual, or emotional trauma.
That range of settings informs a flexible, down-to-earth way of working with mood disorders, trauma responses, and problems with self-esteem. Rachel often helps people with attention differences, autism spectrum concerns, panic, social anxiety, and parenting stress by teaching concrete coping strategies and communication skills. She emphasizes practicing techniques between sessions so change carries into daily life.
Sessions are intended to be a partnership: goals are set together and adjusted over time. Rachel also sometimes uses a certified therapy dog, Bauer, to help clients feel more at ease during appointments. Her practice uses practical steps, clear explanations, and a focus on skills you can use right away.
What Rachel works with
Everything Rachel lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Rachel helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Family problems
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches Rachel lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online support
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship so people feel heard and respected; it helps clarify goals and priorities during sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions so clients can try practical experiments to shift unhelpful patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interactions with others, which can reduce overwhelm and reactivity.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about current needs, goals, and preferences, then try methods that fit best. Plans are adjusted over time based on what works, and sessions often include homework or skill practice between meetings.
Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and skill practice. Phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text-based messaging can support brief updates, skill coaching, or when writing feels more comfortable than speaking. These options provide flexibility for scheduling and different communication styles while maintaining a focus on practical skill-building.
Questions people ask about Rachel
What concerns does Rachel commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, trauma and abuse, and parenting-related stress among other concerns.
What is Rachel's therapeutic style like?
Her style is warm and interactive, blending client-centered care with CBT and DBT skills to teach practical coping strategies.
How long has she been practicing?
Rachel has 11 years of experience, including roles as a clinician, school social worker, and several years in a residential setting.
Where is her practice located and what are her credentials?
She is based in Massachusetts and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with a master of arts degree noted as MA LICSW.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats does she provide?
Rachel offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to match different scheduling and communication needs.
How are fees and scheduling handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.
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