Clinical Pedagogy
Dr. Rachel Johnson is a licensed psychologist who believes that healing happens in the spaces where connection, empathy, and authenticity come together. With over 24 years of experience in behavioral health care, she understands that life can feel overwhelming—whether you’re carrying the weight of past trauma, struggling with complex relationships, or just trying to keep up with the demands of daily life. Dr. Johnson is here to walk alongside you, guiding you toward a place of clarity, peace, and self-compassion. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based, trauma-informed practices that prioritize your unique experiences, needs, and aspirations with a variety of therapeutic techniques, including and informed by cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), internal family systems (IFS), and narrative therapy.
Dr. Johnson holds a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. Her academic journey and clinical work have been significantly influenced by a deep curiosity for understanding how first-hand stress and trauma directly affect individuals, as well as the repercussions of secondary stress and trauma that can be experienced by people who provide care to others. Her dissertation explored the impact of working with adolescents in residential treatment facilities on the well-being of staff—a topic that remains close to her heart, as she believes that those who give care deserve to be supported, nurtured, and empowered so they can continue offering their best to others.
Throughout her career, Dr. Johnson has worked with adults in various settings, from inpatient psychiatric care to outpatient therapy, and she’s seen firsthand how powerful the healing process can be when done with appropriate support, resources, and trust. She approaches every individual with humility, compassion, and deep respect, working to create a safe, non-judgmental, and validating space where clients may bring their whole selves and be open about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Dr. Johnson has helped people work through a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship struggles, and workplace dissatisfaction. Whether you’re navigating a recent life change, experiencing emotional overwhelm, feeling your way through the ambiguity and uncertainty of the “messy middle,” or simply looking for ways to enhance your emotional sturdiness and overall well-being, Dr. Johnson offers tailored care that respects where you are in your journey and will help guide you forward at your own pace.
Dr. Johnson fiercely believes identifying and understanding what is “right” with you is just as important, if not more so, than identifying what may be “wrong” with you, and healing happens when we feel safe enough to be truly seen and known. She believes bearing witness to the stories and experiences of others is an enormous privilege and works closely with clients to develop therapeutic relationships based on trust, empathy, vulnerability, and respect. Dr. Johnson understands that every person’s path to healing and agency is unique. Her approach is highly collaborative, and she enjoys working alongside clients to develop realistic goals, create actionable strategies, and build greater self-awareness, agency, and emotional fitness.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Johnson is deeply committed to mindfulness, self-care, and resilience. She has contributed to programs designed to help individuals and organizations foster habits of self-care and mindfulness to prevent burnout and promote long-term mental health. This focus on wellness is woven into her approach with clients—helping them not only address immediate challenges, but also build the emotional skills needed to thrive over the long term.
What You Can Expect with Dr. Johnson
If you’re looking for a therapist who is compassionate, experienced, and deeply committed to helping you live a more balanced and fulfilled life, Dr. Johnson is here for you. She understands the courage it takes to seek therapy, and she is ready to walk alongside you on your path to healing, growth, and self-discovery.
-
- A warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can bring your whole self and freely explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
- Evidence-based therapy techniques tailored to meet your specific needs and challenges.
- Compassionate, attentive support through life’s difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and workplace dissatisfaction.
- A focus on cultivating self-awareness, self-compassion, emotional resilience, and overall well-being—not just symptom relief.
- A collaborative approach that honors your goals, your comfort, your humanity, and your healing journey.
Dr. Johnson is here to help you find your unique path to healing and to provide you with the tools you need to navigate life’s challenges with confidence, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose. She is warm with a polished sensibility of helping her clients see the light in the darkest of chapters; in her presence you feel held and capable all at once. Complex trauma, treatment advanced, highly intelligent, and helping professionals welcomed. Click here to book a session or contact us.
For a snapshot of overcoming a season of crisis, click on this Forbes article.
