Rachel Max

ABOUT ME I am an LCSW in California and an LICSW in Washington, DC. I was born in the DMV, lived in San Diego for 10 years and am now back living in Washington, DC. I have been practicing in the mental health field since 2016. I am trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and I prioritize a flexible, collaborative approach to your mental health treatment and couples counseling where safety and wellbeing are at the center. In addition to ACT and EFT, I employ an eclectic, integrative approach including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Somatic techniques, and Mindfulness. I have a master’s in social work from San Diego State University and completed my bachelor’s in music at Kenyon College. I am a certified yoga instructor, lover of food, cooking, and baking, and thoroughly enjoy long walks while listening to podcasts or audiobooks. THERAPEUTIC APPROACH I understand that the therapeutic relationship, based on trust, non-judgement, and safety, comes before all other things in our work together. I also acknowledge that change does not occur solely within the container of therapy, rather, it happens out there in your “real life.” I view therapy as a space to experiment, try new things, and practice shifting your perspective to grow and to learn more, whether it's about yourself, your partner, your relationship, or something else entirely. I emphasize the role of environmental and cultural factors in mental health treatment; I empower my clients to harness their existing strengths while building new resources to thrive. In my experience, the path toward building a life worth living is through practicing getting present, experiencing your feelings fully and wholeheartedly, taking action where you can, and learning when and where to soften. I work with individuals who feel stuck, who struggle to feel comfortable being with themselves or with others, who find their emotions to be overwhelming or avoid difficult emotions altogether, who feel trapped by their anxiety, or who feel like life is unfulfilling, like something is missing. I work with couples to more fully connect with one another and find safety, security, trust, and satisfaction in your relationship. My goal is to help people live wholehearted, values-centered lives experiencing the pleasure and the pain, sorrow and joy, and everywhere in between. EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED THERAPY Through the lens of your primary relationships, we’ll explore the patterns that keep you stuck in cycles of conflict or disconnection. We’ll work together to increase emotional understanding and responsiveness, helping you feel more connected, seen, and heard. We also examine how your emotions influence your behavior and relationships, and learn how to foster a more secure emotional bond with yourself and others. EFT is a flexible, responsive approach that can be applied to individual and couples therapy. ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY I’ll guide you through exercises that help you accept difficult thoughts and emotions rather than avoiding or fighting them. We’ll work to identify what truly matters to you and develop strategies to move toward your goals, even when fear, self-doubt, or discomfort arise. You’ll leave with practical tools that help you live more authentically and purposefully. Why should I work with you, Rachel? My approach blends the emotional depth and relational focus of EFT with the mindfulness and action-oriented strategies of ACT. This combination allows you to gain insight into your emotional landscape, while also taking steps toward change. I’m committed to meeting you where you are and helping you create lasting shifts in both your internal world and your relationships. I love what I do, and I care very much about my clients. Your experience matters to me. LGBTQIA+ affirming Accepting of all races, ethnicities, cultures, and identities.