Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Surratt.
Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I knew I wanted to be a therapist when I was 10 years old. A family member experienced a mental health crisis and I was so curious, and concerned, and confused at that age, that it lead me to pursuing therapy; I so badly wanted to help and understand! That spark of curiosity never left me and I spent my education years pursuing psychology as a career both in undergrad and then later in graduate school. I also spent many years working and volunteering in children’s mental health as young adult before I moved to individual therapy later in life and have been here ever since!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly was not a smooth road! When I was in college I had a near-death-experience that could have seriously ruined- everything I had planned in my life, honestly- and I entered my graduate program into the COVID-19 pandemic and civil resistance of George Floyd. My accident lead to some deep moments of soul searching and support seeking from loved ones and professionals in my field.
I’ll never forget those first sessions from my home over a laptop: not what I had ever expected becoming a therapist to look or feel like. But like us all during that time, I pivoted to finding the benefits of providing support to folks in a way that reminded accessible to those that needed it, and began to recognize that my work as a healer didn’t have to be hindered by this new normal, but supported.
It was also such a strange moment to be starting my young therapy career in the midst of such global turmoil, let me tell you! It was a seriously rewarding experience to join and support my community where best I could everyday, and I developed so much capacity for care and learned some hard lessons about personal boundaries and self care at that time that I’ll never regret.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and I specialize in working with trauma, particularly racialized, anxiety and depression, and attachment theory regarding our interpersonal relationships. I’m best known for my work with adopted individuals as well as folks that have experienced TBI’s and religious trauma (not altogether, but sometimes life hands ya a double whammy!).
I also run several group therapies for Women of Color in the Twin Cities as a way to further support my community and those that need it most. Alongside that groups include a support group for Black women with religious trauma, attachment theory education, and covid-support groups (Yes, we still need them folks!)
I feel the most pride when I hear or get to sometimes witness the immense progress my clients make. It is such a fulfilling experience to see them live their lives with less shame, judgement, fear and worry.
I think what sets me apart from others in my field is the energy I bring into the room. There are so so many wonderful therapists in the Twin Cities, we are very fortunate that way, and many of them have a similar niche to me. But what you feel when you sit in a space with me; how you feel held, seen, respected, and admired, those are the things I carry in abundance. The relationship is most of the therapeutic work, and I pride myself in just how well I can foster healing relationships between me, my clients, and the people in their lives.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
To trust yourself, and to be curious, not judgemental. There are so many people coming into my office feeling as if their story is already written for them, and what I have learned in my years is that we are so much more capable of changing our lives when we trust ourselves to make decisions that are for the good of ourselves and others, and to remain gentle on the judgement when we inevitably fail to sometimes meet those expectations we’ve set on ourselves.
The biggest lesson besides that which has also really helped me with the burnout one feels in this role is this: Many problems that we face as people cannot be solved at the individual level.
Lots of depression and anxiety would truly be alleviated from my clients if they had access to fair and livable wages, healthcare, healthy food, and felt physically safe from harm or persecution. It’s painful to be in a space with a person and know that these things would effectively make my job obsolete, but that it doesn’t matter to politicians. Money can’t solve everything, but it sure does help your mental health to feel that you can afford to live and feed your family.
Pricing:
- 225 for initial intake sessions
- 175 for sessions
- Sliding fee scale is offered
Contact Info:
- Website: https://surrattpsychology.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surrattpsychology
