Rachael Stracka

With a profound love for both providing and receiving therapy, Rachael Stracka, LCSW, BCD, brings over two decades of dedicated experience to her practice. Her passion for helping others began in middle school, where she found herself naturally drawn to listening to her peers' concerns. This early inclination blossomed into a fulfilling career as a licensed clinical social worker and board-certified diplomate.

Rachael's approach to therapy is deeply rooted in her belief that it offers a rare and invaluable opportunity for focused self-exploration in today's fast-paced world. She is committed to creating a safe space where clients can delve into their innermost thoughts and feelings, fostering personal growth and emotional well-being. Her practice is characterized by a genuine investment in her clients' healing journey, addressing their needs on emotional, physical, and spiritual levels.

Specializing in anxiety, trauma, and women's well-being, Rachael offers a wide range of targeted treatment specialties. These include depression, relationships/couples therapy, grief and loss, stress management, anger issues, LGBTQ+ support, postpartum care, infertility counseling, parenting guidance, and assistance with life transitions. She is also skilled in working with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), substance abuse/addiction, and sexual abuse survivors. Rachael's expertise extends to providing immigration evaluations, showcasing her commitment to serving diverse populations.

Throughout her career, Rachael has accumulated significant professional experience. She has maintained a private practice since 2001, offering therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Her academic contributions include serving as an adjunct faculty member at California State University San Marcos in the Graduate School of Social Work. Rachael has also conducted presentations and training sessions at various institutions, including CalState San Marcos, Palomar Medical Center, YMCA, and the 2016 Postpartum Support International (PSI) annual conference.

Rachael's therapeutic toolkit is diverse and comprehensive. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a powerful approach for addressing trauma. Additionally, she incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her practice, offering clients a range of evidence-based techniques to support their healing process. Her commitment to holistic care is evident in her completion of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course, which informs her practice with mindfulness techniques.

Fluent in Spanish, Rachael has been working with Spanish-speaking clients for over 20 years, demonstrating her dedication to making mental health services accessible to non-English speaking and immigrant populations. This linguistic skill, combined with her experience in coordinating a Spanish-speaking familial sexual abuse group treatment program, underscores her commitment to serving diverse communities.

Rachael's professional affiliations reflect her ongoing commitment to growth and excellence in her field. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Postpartum Health Alliance, American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Mental Health Professionals Group (MHPG), RESOLVE, International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), California Coalition on Sexual Offending (CCOSO), and Path2Parenthood.

With her wealth of experience, diverse skill set, and genuine passion for helping others, Rachael Stracka stands ready to support clients through their unique challenges and guide them towards transformative change. Her approach is not just about alleviating symptoms, but about fostering deep, lasting healing and personal growth.