Meet Rachael

Hi, I'm Rachael.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a mom of three, and someone who genuinely understands how overwhelming life, especially relationships, can feel at times.

I grew up here in Raleigh and earned my Master of Social Work at East Carolina University in 2013. Early in my career, I worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, supporting individuals and families through a wide range of challenges. Over time, I found myself especially drawn to the emotional complexity of relationships and how deeply they can impact the way we think, feel, and see ourselves.

In addition to my clinical experience, I have a personal understanding of the challenges that can come with relationships, including divorce and dating. These experiences deepened my empathy and the way I show up for my clients.

After stepping away from clinical work to focus on raising my children, I returned to this field with a clear sense of purpose and opened Manifest Counseling to create a space that feels different from traditional therapy. Something more real, relaxed, and more human.

My approach is grounded in evidence-based practices like CBT and DBT, but what matters most to me is how therapy feels. I want you to feel comfortable showing up exactly as you are, whether that means talking things through, sitting in silence, or even laughing a little along the way.

I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine connection where you feel understood and supported, not judged.