Rachel Zubek, LCSW-C She/Her/HersFirst of all!
Well done on starting your path to therapy! Beginning therapy can be hard to do and deciding to start and searching for the right therapist are important steps!
About me:
I’m Rachel, and I help folks to find peace and support your empowerment. I specialize in working with emerging adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and increased life stressors such as major life changes and relationship issues.
I call myself an extroverted introvert- I love people AND I need my space and alone time! I grew up in Baltimore and I love Baltimore City. I love nature and being outdoors and love getting outside as much as I can! Some of the fun things I like to do are: reading, being outside, yoga, hiking, puzzles, camping, road tripping in my conversion van, snuggling my pups and throwing clay and hoping I make pieces of pottery.
I am an independently licensed clinical social worker and supervisor seeing clients in Maryland. Since earning my masters in social work with a specialization in clinical and macro from University of Maryland Baltimore’s School of Social Work, I have had the opportunity to work with children, teens, migrants, young adults, adults, families, and parents in a wide variety of settings, including mobile treatment, schools, a group home, foster care, outpatient mental health, and private practice. I also provide supervision to other social workers both new and seasoned.
What I do in therapy:
My job is to hold a safe space for you and provide non-judgmental support. I draw from personal practice and belief that we must take good care of ourselves before we can care for others.
Some of the modalities I use are:
ACT- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
CBT- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: mindfulness, challenging thoughts, breathwork
Boundaries work
Trauma processing- EMDR, self-soothing, exposure techniques
Expressive art techniques
My goal is to offer you validation and help you gain coping skills to manage whatever is going on in your life.
Am I the Right Therapist for You?
Who I work with:
I work with emerging adults and young professionals who are looking to feel more confident and balanced, have a higher sense of themself and have less drama in their lives, but who struggle with perfectionism, people pleasing, shame, boundaries, relationships and managing stress. They value kindness, feeling understood, and gentle guidance and expect a supportive, encouraging approach and alternative perspectives that includes coping strategies tailored to their needs.
My Style:
I would describe myself as gentle, goofy, encouraging and a cheerleader. I use acceptance and commitment (ACT), cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-based therapies to help emerging adults and young professionals address life changes, transitions, perfectionism & people pleasing, so they can manage anxiety, depression and traumatic experiences.
Lived Experience:
I have lived experience as a person who is recovering from being a people pleaser, an upbringing of more rigid Christian thinking and family issues. I have been in therapy myself for several years and have seen and felt the benefits in my life.
Ally:
I am an ally for the LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, polyamorous and religious communities. I believe in the dignity of all people and promise unconditional positive regard for every client.
New to therapy or nervous about starting?
Your success and comfort in therapy is important to me. Here is some more info on what therapy with me will be like. Check out my FAQ page for common questions about fees and that sort of stuff.
Therapy with Me:
Each session will be the same in some ways and very different in others. Sessions will always include validation and genuinely listening to your concerns. Your issues are real and need to be heard! How we approach each issue from week to week might change, from practicing techniques in session to making space for emotions. I end a session with checking in on how the session made you feel and identifying takeaways. I am always open to feedback on how our sessions could be better and more beneficial to you.
Where I offer sessions:
I see clients virtually through GoogleMeets and have limited walk-and-talk sessions for clients who want to meet in person and have socialization goals.
Sessions:
I typically meet with clients weekly in the beginning of our work together and then when clients feel ready and goals are being met, move to biweekly or monthly. My sessions are 50 minutes long.
Insurance:
I currently am in network with all CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Cigna insurances in Maryland. I am working on becoming licensed in Virginia, stay tuned!
More Questions?
I am here to answer any questions that you have to ensure that you feel comfortable throughout the process. I offer free 15-minute consultation videocalls so we can check out each other’s vibe and you can ask me questions. Shoot me an email if you have any questions about whether I’d be a good fit to be your therapist!
Sound up your alley?
Let’s Chat! No Pressure, no obligation, I’m so happy to talk through questions and concerns and make sure I’m the right fit for you.
Certifications-aka the important stuff
Masters of Social Work (MSW): University of Maryland at Baltimore, 2014
Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C): Licensed in Maryland in 2017
Certificate in Advanced Trauma Treatment- Level 1: The esteemed Ferentz Institute in Maryland
Board-Certified Supervisor: 2019
Are you an LMSW or LGPC seeking supervision?
I am also a Board-Certified Supervisor and provide supervision for individuals and groups for LMSWs and LGPCs. I get excited about supporting the next therapists! Check out my Clinical Supervision page for more info!
Hablo Español
Hablo español y ofrezco sesiones en Español. Envíe un correo electrónico para programar una cita conmigo. Mire mi pagina en Español.
