Rachel Hirsch, LPC, MS
Counseling.
I believe in your capacity to embrace your authentic self, to heal from painful experiences, and to feel better. The people I work with often struggle with self-esteem, relationships, identity, communication, depression, and anxiety. No matter the concern you bring, I believe that understanding yourself and the root of your suffering and healing go hand-in-hand.
In therapy, we can work together to make sense of what is going on for you. My job is to help you understand old patterns and beliefs about yourself, work toward self-compassion, and develop new ways of coping. Therapy looks different from person-to-person, and I strive to attune to your specific wants and needs from therapy.
Starting therapy for the first time, or beginning with a new therapist is a big deal. I hope to create an environment where you feel comfortable enough to explore and be challenged. I tailor my approach to you, and am anchored in psychodynamic theory. Finding the right counselor to work with is key, so please reach out for a free consultation.
Who I Am.
I bring warmth, curiosity, and humor to our collaborative therapeutic process. My aim is to create an environment with you, in which you feel safe enough to be challenged. I like to help you look at the things that impacted who you are today, and challenge you to explore the ways you view yourself, the world, relationships, and anything else you might be struggling with. I am guided by psychodynamic theories and am informed by structuralism and queer theory. In other words, I think a lot about how you were impacted by society, your caregivers as a child, and your identities.
I hold a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Portland State University, with major focus in individual psychotherapy.
I am registered with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, LPC, and am bound by the Code of Ethics.
As a licensed counselor working through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, I abide by its Code of Ethics. Please feel free to visit the OBLPCT’s website for additional information regarding any licensee or registered counseling associate.
Psychodynamic Therapy.
Therapy with me looks a lot like talking about what is on your mind, what you’re struggling with day-to-day, and working to understand these things within a broader context of your values, experiences, cultures, and beliefs. I aim to create a safe bond in which you feel accepted, while also being challenged to identify your strengths and areas for growth.
We will work together to find common threads throughout your experiences and thoughts. An increased understanding of yourself within the context of your world will move you toward healing. I encourage the exploration of relationships, and believe interpersonal dynamics shape the way we see ourselves and interact with the world. By exploring all kinds of relationships - past and present, as well as our therapeutic relationship - we can reveal the common threads of your internal world and help you feel better.