Rachel W. Friendly

I am a clinical psychologist, licensed in VA, DC, MA, and CA. Originally from Canada, grew up in Los Angeles, and received my B.A. in Psychology from Tufts University and my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Clark University in Massachusetts. I completed my training and began my career in Virginia, at James Madison University’s counseling center, and worked in counseling centers in California and Massachusetts for 13 years prior to starting my private practice. I specialize in women's issues, supporting the LGBQ+ and trans/nonbinary communities, and college and graduate student mental health. My focus is on helping folks who have struggled to find their voices to build their best, most joyful lives. Therapy with me is very much a collaborative experience. I will not sit back and nod, nor will I tell you what you should do. Instead, we will work together to explore your concerns and help you move towards your goals. I approach my work with empathy and compassion, striving to create a warm, safe space in which to do the often difficult work of therapy. I understand that, above all, change is hard! ​I view the world through the lens of interpersonal relationships, which means that the single most important tool that we have in our work together is the relationship we form "in the room." I also strongly believe in a multicultural and feminist approach, which means that, to be effective, therapy must acknowledge the impact of systems of power and oppression on the struggles we all face. Finally, I value you as an equal in the therapy process ~ I bring therapeutic expertise, but only you are the expert on your experiences.