Rachel Cope, LCSW
Psychotherapist
Treatment Philosophy

Deciding to begin therapy is a brave step towards healing. As a therapist I strive to create a non-judgmental and caring space where you can explore yourself, your experiences, and your relationships. I also take into consideration nutrition, sleeping habits, vitamin deficiencies, and exercise as these are often overlooked in the mental health field yet they are essential to mental wellbeing.
I meet you where you are in your journey and focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship. I believe people heal in relationship with others. No theory or intervention will be successful if you do not feel unconditionally accepted and supported by your therapist. It is a humbling experience to bear witness to others pain, and I do not take the responsibility lightly. I am honored to be a part of your story in some small way.
Areas of Expertise & Interest
I enjoy working with adolescents, young adults, and parents of young children. I most commonly work with young people struggling with low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, self-harming behaviors, suicide ideation, body image issues, grief & loss, family conflict, and trauma. I see adults struggling with some of the same issues along with domestic violence, relationship problems, and parenting difficulties.
In my work with older adolescents and adults, I utilize both an attachment focused and psychodynamic approach. The goal is to help my clients gain a deeper level of self-awareness and to better understand how their past may be influencing their present. I also utilize play therapy and Theraplay techniques with younger children, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness techniques to enhance wellbeing and personal growth.
In my spare time I enjoy exercising, spending time with family and friends, dancing, and when the weather permits, riding my motorcycle! I am also an avid F1 fan and really enjoy watching the Red Bull Racing team on Sundays during race season.
Experience & Training
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I received my Bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and I earned my MSW from Loyola University Chicago in 2017. I am currently a part of a year-long fellowship with the Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy to further grow in my clinical skills.
For the past four years I worked for a charter school and early childhood program in the city of Chicago. I have extensive experience working with children and families struggling with a range of family issues and diagnoses. Additionally, I have experience working with young children using modalities such as play and art therapy, sand tray therapy, and Theraplay. Over the past 10 years I have worked in a variety of settings such as a therapeutic day school, a public library, an immigrant rights organization, and a non-profit organization in the country of Ecuador. These unique and varied experiences have shaped the therapist (and person) that I am today.
Client Age Range
Age 16 & up