Feature Series: Rachel Hanna, LCSW-C

It’s hard to encompass everything we are as helping professionals into a few-paragraph bio statement. If you’re hoping to learn more about the diverse group of people behind the Therapy Collective, you’ve come to the right place. This post is the fifth in a series of interviews with Therapy Collective clinicians and coaches about their backgrounds, passions, and clinical interests.

By Carley Foster, LCPC

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Rachel Hanna, LCSW-C, specializes in helping women navigating life transitions, relationship issues, and self-discovery. Her approach is mindfulness-based and solution-focused. Rachel has online therapy availability for Maryland residents as of Winter 2023.

How would you describe the type of therapy you practice and how is it unique?

I offer therapy from a mindfulness/embodiment-based approach, creating a sense of healing and inner peace as a foundation to then support a client easily stepping into a life they truly desire. As a therapist, I’m oriented towards body-based approaches as well as solution-focused styles to actualize dreams from a real, healthy, and grounded place. I use my gift of idealism to hold space for clients to both dream and create in big, even out of the box ways.

My approach is unique because I focus on creating inner peace regardless of outer circumstances and without the need to dive into the details of one’s past. To me, inner peace is the basis for overcoming any challenge, and teaching this to clients is one of my favorite parts of being a therapist.

What got you interested in the field of mental health/social work? 

This field really matches my natural gifts and characteristics of being warm, non-judgmental, empathetic, insightful and wise. Talking with people about emotions, challenges, relationships, and dreams is very natural and fulfilling for me. It’s definitely a job that doesn’t feel like work, which shows me it’s an important part of my true deep purpose.

Do you have a background in something other than private practice?

I have background as a relationship coach, where I worked with women to tackle their half of the relationship challenges, which inevitably shifted the whole dynamic. I loved this work and hope to continue as a therapist.

What has your training process looked like? 

I have a Masters in Social Work with several years experience working in outpatient mental health clinics with adults before moving into the realm of private practice.

What lived experiences contribute to how you approach therapy? 

One of my strongest values as a therapist is authenticity. I am a deeply growth-oriented person and have overcome a number of difficult life situations. I feel this allows me to relate to the struggles of clients in a more real way. I only guide clients in ways that I have found personally beneficial.

Are there any trainings you found particularly interesting or helpful?

I am a certified yoga teacher and have gained immense value in my training on the value of presence and incorporate this often into my practice. 

In your experience, who is a good fit for your practice?

I have found open-minded, growth-oriented clients to be the best fit for my practice. I do best working with people navigating life transitions or challenges such as becoming a new mom, needing help with issues related to life purpose or direction, needing support with self-discovery, and those having relationship issues. Clients with more severe or persistent mental health challenges are not the best fit for my practice.

What can clients who work with you expect to learn or experience? 

Clients working with me can expect to feel comfortable, safe and understood. I create a very open and honest therapeutic relationship. I am very much open to feedback and working together, ultimately trusting the client as being the expert in her own life.

Any other information that would be important for readers to know? 

I take my sessions very seriously and always have a pre-session grounding and centering process to ensure I’m showing up as my best self. 

You can make an appointment with Rachel through our appointment request form.

You can learn more about Rachel by visiting her bio page.