Q&A with Counselor Rachel McCullough, LMFT

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Q&A

with counselor Rachel McCullough, LMSW

Rachel is an empathetic, innovative, and experienced counselor who believes that each person is unique and wonderful. She aims to help clients take an introspective look at environmental factors, familial factors, personality traits and more to comprise a treatment plan tailored to each client.

Rachel works with clients ages 15 and up who are dealing with depression, anxiety, anger, ADHD, family and relationship issues, trauma, or are looking to find their purpose in life. She has experience working with the LGBTQ+ community and helping clients discover and show their true colors. She also has experience working with those who are going through a breakup, divorce, or experiencing issues with family dysfunction and conflict.

Why should someone see a therapist?

Someone should see a therapist much for the same reason they may take in their car; for a check-up, there’s something wrong they can pinpoint, there’s something wrong they can’t pinpoint, or the whole thing is on fire and they need some serious help. Going to therapy isn’t necessarily saying something is wrong, sometimes it’s the desire to take an honest look at one’s life and see what can be improved, or maintained.

What made you become a therapist?

I became a therapist because I’ve always been fascinated by how the mind works, and specifically how someone's environment, family, and predisposing factors can influence someone's daily decisions. As someone who’s lived with depression all their lives, I’m constantly striving to examine my daily actions, and repair my thoughts.

In your opinion, what makes a therapist great?

Deep empathy and unconditional positive regard. A good therapist will give their patient a sense of autonomy, and act as a guide more than a manager. Every person is capable of being their greatest self.

Why did you choose your specialty?

I myself am I bi-sexual multi-racial woman, so I’ve always held deep love the LGBTQ community, and any minority.

What types of clients do you prefer to work with and why?

I love working with LGBTQ clients, as well as adolescents ages 17+. Gen Z is truly fascinating to me, and they are the ones shaping the world right now.

What are the characteristics of a client who is the best fit for you?

Someone who is ready to change but is unsure of how. Someone who may feel scared, but can summon the courage to look at their shadow.

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

Feminist, Narrativ, Gestalt, CBT,DBT and Solution-Focused.

What types of assessments have you used in therapy?

Beck Anxiety and Depression inventory.

How do you use skills you have learned as a therapist in your own life? Do you have an example?

Probably traveling, it has given me such a beautiful perspective of how so many people are different due to culture, background, environment etc, but share some universal truths, such as the desire for love and connection.

If you weren’t a therapist, what would you be doing?

Singing, or something to do with the arts.

What piece of advice might you have for a potential client?

For a woman setting boundaries, I would ask them to look at the influences which keeps them from wanting to set that boundary..whether that be religious background, FOO,or how they see themselves in society. After an honest analysis, I would have them ask were these thoughts/rules/decisions made for you with your desires, goals, and values in mind? Are these rules benefiting you? If not create your own rules and enforces them with boundaries.

Do you typically recommend medication? What coping methods would you suggest to someone who does not want to take a prescribed medication?

Each case is different, so it’s difficult to say. If there are extreme symptoms then yes I would suggest looking into them with a prescribing professional, however if they are mild I may not, unless the client expresses a strong desire to try them. Coping methods I typically suggest are a change in diet/exercise/routine and the addition of meditation, grounding work, and of course, therapy.

How should a prospective client prepare for the first session?

Take a deep breath, have your favorite tea, and don’t overthink it! If it will help you write a couple of questions down so you don’t forget in the moment. In a typical first session it will be about getting to know each other, so no pressure.

We work with clients located ANYWHERE in the world. How can we help? Let us know at forwardcounseling.com/contact

Q&A with Counselor Liz Ferzacca, LMSW

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Q&A

with counselor Liz Ferzacca, LMSW

Liz is a therapist with a mission to guide her clients to self-healing through learning how to build a healthy relationship with themselves. She likes to utilize holistic approaches that create safety and trust within, and focus on the mind, body, and soul to help clients learn how to work with difficult emotions.

She is trained in EMDR, Ego-state therapy, and TF-CBT. She also employs CBT, DBT-informed techniques, person-centered therapy, mindfulness, and somatic techniques when appropriate. She ultimately aims to provide a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their own human experience.

Why should someone see a therapist?

I think someone should see a therapist if they are struggling in life and don’t know how to work with their emotions. There is always a learning opportunity when you explore your human experience!

What made you become a therapist?

I wanted to become a therapist because of the experiences in my life. I wanted to help people alleviate their suffering. Now it’s because I want to help guide people to self-healing!

In your opinion, what makes a therapist great?

Understanding that we are human first. I think great therapist are those that understand that the person/client is the expert of themselves, and their lives and we are just guides helping them learn how to self-heal.

Why did you choose your specialty?

I chose my specialty because everyone has a story and a human experience that they have learned to adapt to. I want to help them understand that with guidance, people can learn to build a relationship with themselves cultivating trust and safety within that allows them to self-heal.

What types of clients do you prefer to work with and why?

I prefer to work with those struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have found it is so common and relatable amongst us all.

What are the characteristics of a client who is the best fit for you?

I want to work with people that are motivated for change, want to do the work, and are willing to explore their human experience to learn more about themselves.

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

I use holistic approaches such as parts work, EMDR, Ego-State, Attachment-based, CBT, DBT-informed, person-centered, trauma-informed, and somatic techniques.

What types of assessments have you used in therapy?

I have used CAFAS, trauma, substance abuse, and crisis assessments for children and adolescents in community mental health.

How do you use skills you have learned as a therapist in your own life? Do you have an example?

I use somatic techniques and parts work to work with my emotions and continue to build a relationship with myself. I incorporate movement in my life through dancing, skating, exercise, hiking, and PLAY (the most crucial of all) to cultivate trust and safety within.

If you weren’t a therapist, what would you be doing?

I would want to do something with somatic healing such as a dancer, skater, and/or movement instructor/trainer. I would love to be a somatic therapist/guide.

What piece of advice might you have for a potential client?

I would tell them that building a relationship with yourself is the most important relationship you will ever have. This allows you to get your needs met, communicate well with others, builds self-esteem, and allows you to establish boundaries. You learn to become more aligned with and rise in love with yourself.

Do you typically recommend medication? What coping methods would you suggest to someone who does not want to take a prescribed medication?

If that is something the client wants, I would refer them to a doctor qualified to prescribe medications. I would suggest holistic approaches that one can easily use such as breathing and somatic techniques to help work with your emotions.

How should a prospective client prepare for the first session?

I want my clients to know they can be themselves and we are all humans trying to navigate life. I understand what a privilege it is to share your story and innermost feelings with someone. I provide a safe space for people to allow themselves to be vulnerable. I want my clients to be open to exploring their human experience with me.

We work with clients located anywhere in the world. How can we help? Let us know at forwardcounseling.com/contact

The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

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The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

One innovative form of therapy provided by Forward Counseling is known as sand tray therapy. By presenting a client with a small tray of sand and a wide variety of figurines, a therapist can sit back and observe what the client chooses to create. Though perhaps initially presumed as juvenile, there are actually many benefits to this type of therapy. 

Firstly, it provides a way to communicate when verbalizing becomes too difficult. Often clients find themselves not yet ready to discuss what might be going on, and in that case, sand trays provide a medium through which to communicate to the therapist what words aren’t ready to say yet.

Read More

The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

/ Forward Counseling/
The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

One innovative form of therapy provided by Forward Counseling is known as sand tray therapy. By presenting a client with a small tray of sand and a wide variety of figurines, a therapist can sit back and observe what the client chooses to create. Though perhaps initially presumed as juvenile, there are actually many benefits to this type of therapy. 

Firstly, it provides a way to communicate when verbalizing becomes too difficult. Often clients find themselves not yet ready to discuss what might be going on, and in that case, sand trays provide a medium through which to communicate to the therapist what words aren’t ready to say yet.

Read More

A Blog in Support of Suffering

/ Forward Counseling/
A Blog in Support of Suffering

“Excuse me ” I said to the Nuns who were seated at the Retreat Information Table, “I think you all put me in the wrong group. You see, I am in the Grief Group and I do not have grief, perhaps there is another group for me?” 

They grinned, put their hands together, nodded and put their heads together to find my paperwork.  “You are in the correct group, but if you want to try another one, go to that one——->” as they pointed to a nearby group of much cheerier people.

Read More

The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

/ Forward Counseling/
The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

One innovative form of therapy provided by Forward Counseling is known as sand tray therapy. By presenting a client with a small tray of sand and a wide variety of figurines, a therapist can sit back and observe what the client chooses to create. Though perhaps initially presumed as juvenile, there are actually many benefits to this type of therapy. 

Firstly, it provides a way to communicate when verbalizing becomes too difficult. Often clients find themselves not yet ready to discuss what might be going on, and in that case, sand trays provide a medium through which to communicate to the therapist what words aren’t ready to say yet.

Read More