Works with
How Rachel works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LICSW
- Licensed in
- Massachusetts
- Years in practice
- 11
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Rachel
Rachel McGowan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Massachusetts with 11 years of experience. She offers a warm, interactive style and aims to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where people can talk about difficult feelings and find clearer ways to cope. She uses a mix of practical approaches tailored to each person’s needs.
That can include talking through thoughts and behaviors, practicing mindfulness skills, and building step-by-step coping tools.
Background and approach
Sessions often focus on everyday challenges like stress, anxiety, mood shifts, anger, or changes in life circumstances. Her background includes clinical and school social work and several years in a residential setting supporting people who have experienced trauma. That experience informs how she helps clients recognize triggers, manage symptoms, and work on safety and stability.
In sessions she emphasizes collaboration. Together with the client she sets goals, practices new skills, and checks what is or isn’t helping. The therapeutic relationship is described as central to making steady progress.
She also incorporates compassion for identity-related concerns, such as LGBT issues, and supports people facing neurodiversity or attention differences. Her approach avoids stigmatizing labels and focuses on building confidence, communication, and practical strategies for daily life.
What Rachel works with
Everything Rachel lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Rachel's practice.
- 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 her approaches translate to online therapy
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship while following the client’s lead. In practice this means sessions emphasize what matters most to the person and shape goals around their priorities.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and managing anger through practical exercises and homework between sessions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. These tools can be useful for strong mood swings, intense reactions, or problems staying calm under stress.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try techniques that fit their needs, and adjust the plan over time to find what works best.
Online therapy offers flexibility across formats. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and skill practice. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging support shorter check-ins, coaching between sessions, or ongoing reminders to practice new skills. These options help fit therapy into work, school, and family routines.
Questions people ask about Rachel
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and mood concerns, along with parenting strain, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and eating issues.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and interactive, combining client-centered conversation with skill-building methods like cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
She has 11 years of clinical experience that includes school social work and several years working in a residential setting with people who experienced physical, sexual, or emotional trauma.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds an MA and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW, practicing in Massachusetts.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
What formats are available for meeting online?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are sessions billed and what does therapy cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.