EVOLVE THERAPY
About Rachelle
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I am a passionate advocate for those who feel that they do not have a voice, that are not equipped with the tools to heal, or cannot envision a life where hope is the driving force for their future. My name is Rachelle Clayton Smith and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #131581) supervised by Stacy-Colleen Nameth, LCSW (LCS #20894).
I work with individuals, couples, families and children who are experiencing issues related to trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief/loss, depression, abandonment, spirituality, stress management, anger management, relationship issues, family conflict, addiction, substance abuse, emotional regulation, e.g., managing overwhelming moods and ruminating thoughts, self-love, and self-worth.
I have experience working with the LGBTQ community and families experiencing someone coming out, as well as any myriad of life challenges whereby I can help clients navigate a course to an authentic connection to self and others.
I come from a social services background having had experience working for the Department of Children and Family Services, as well as a non-profit organization called Antioch Community Therapy Services.
I work relationally from a foundation of mindfulness, and I focus on cultivating a healthy relationship with oneself. In addition, I work from a psychodynamic lens, which means that through a collaborative partnership my clients and I look at their past and all the pieces of their story to discover and uncover the unconscious blind spots that may be holding them back from moving forward in their present lives.
I utilize various modalities that include, but are not limited to the following:
Narrative Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Compassion and Acceptance therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and others.
Evolution is defined as being a process of gradual, peaceful, progressive change or development. Evolve Therapy was founded on the premise of offering therapeutic services to individuals, couples, families and children working with them as they embark upon a path of discovery. No matter where you are in life and no matter what situations, obstacles or challenges that you might be facing you have the ability to evolve, and gradually change to live the life that will give you the greatest joy.
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More About Rachelle
Being a mother, experiencing the loss of both my parents and growing up with siblings who are apart of the LGBTQ community I personally understand that everyone has their own individual story. I do this work as an imperfect being of the human experience hoping to be of service and support through mental health challenges and life challenges as a whole. We are all the make-up of our unique lives and the experiences that we encounter along the way. I have an embodied perspective that is rooted in acceptance and compassion for all. I am an advocate and an ally in the belief that every human being deserves the right to change, personal growth, healing and the opportunity to evolve into the best version of themselves.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, with a minor in Sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)
Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University, Los Angeles
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