“All of us, at some time or another, need help.” - Fred Rogers

About me

Hello and welcome. I’m a licensed child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist dedicated to supporting young people and their families through life’s challenges. I understand how difficult it can be to watch your child struggle, and my goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where children and teens can explore their feelings, build resilience, and strengthen connections within the family. Together, we’ll work toward understanding, healing, and growth—for your child and for your whole family.

Over the years, I’ve supported people through all kinds of challenges — from trauma and loss to life transitions and relationship struggles. Before starting my private practice, I worked in community mental health and school-based settings, and I continue to provide clinical supervision at an outpatient clinic. I earned my master’s degree from Simmons University in 2013.

I believe everyone has the capacity to heal and grow, especially when they feel seen and supported. My goal is to create a space where you and your family can show up as you are — where your identities, culture, and experiences are respected and understood. I strive to offer care that’s both compassionate and culturally responsive, with a deep awareness of how systems and environments shape our lives.

About my practice

Watching your child struggle can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. Whether they are withdrawing, acting out, having trouble with friends, or struggling at school, it can leave parents and caregivers feeling anxious and unsure of what to do next. Seeking support may feel daunting, but it’s often the first step toward helping your child—and your family—feel more connected, resilient, and balanced.

I work with children, teens, and families to create a safe, supportive, and collaborative space for growth. Building a strong therapeutic relationship is at the heart of my approach, because trust and comfort are essential for meaningful change. I draw on an integrative mix of psychodynamic, systems, and attachment theories, combined with practical strategies from cognitive behavioral (CBT) and dialectical behavioral (DBT) therapy, along with mindfulness practices to build coping skills and promote well-being.

Family therapy is a central part of my work. Using a structural family therapy approach, I help families strengthen communication, clarify boundaries, and create healthier patterns of connection. Supporting the family system often promotes positive change for children and teens as well, fostering lasting growth.

With children and adolescents, therapy provides a safe space to explore feelings, understand behavior, and develop healthier ways of thinking and relating to others. I use a combination of talk, play, expressive arts, and parent guidance, tailored to each child’s developmental needs. Collaboration with teachers, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and other providers ensures care is consistent and comprehensive.

I believe that healing and growth happen through connection, insight, and collaboration. By helping individuals and families feel truly seen, understood, and supported, we can build the skills, resilience, and relationships needed to thrive.

Children/Adolescents

I am trained in Child-Centered Play Therapy and have worked extensively with children and teens between the ages of 3-18 years old. I offer individual therapy for children while encouraging high levels of family involvement throughout treatment. While I find that it can be helpful for children to have a dedicated and separate space to share and process their feelings through expressive play and direct communication, I believe strongly that treatment is most effective when family is involved. Children are intrinsically connected to and embedded within their family systems. I find that a child's presenting issue is often part of a larger family dynamic that can only be healed when other members of the family are open to exploring the family system as a whole.

Family

My true passion as a clinician lies in family therapy. I have training and experience in modalities including Filial Therapy and Pain in the Heart Healing Theory (a model developed and taught by Dr. Pamela Parkinson, PhD, LCSW and derived from Structural Family Therapy). I am skilled at providing parent guidance in addition to my work with families and individual children. My overall approach to family work is to help families communicate their individual and shared pain with one another, make the unspeakable speakable, and give permission to all members of the family, from the youngest to the oldest, to share their unique perspectives and truth. I will help you find ways to connect and reconnect on the basis of shared hopes, dreams and values.

• 50 min individual therapy: $210

• 50 min family therapy: $220

• 75 min family therapy: $315

Sessions can be provided in person and via Telehealth (when deemed appropriate), and are available only for California residents.

I am not currently accepting insurance. Please contact your insurance provider directly to inquire about their out-of-network policy. If needed, I can provide a statement to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

An initial 20 minute phone consultation where we determine if my services may be a good fit for you or your family is free of charge.

(510) 342-9225

Sliding Scale:

Sliding scale sessions are available on a limited bases, according to need and availability. If you are interested in my services but are not sure you can afford my fee, please contact me. We’ll see if we can reach an arrangement, or I can provide you with referrals to other clinicians in the area.

Cancellations:

If you do not show up for your scheduled therapy appointment, and you have not notified me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session.

Forms & Resources

Contact Me

If you would like to schedule a session or free 20 minute phone consultation to determine if I might be the right therapist for you or your family, please call or email me.

Phone: 510.342.9335

Email: info@rachelmostlcsw.com