Rachel Bentley

Originally from Southern CA, Rachel earned a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy through Pepperdine University in 2005, achieving LMFT independent licensure in 2010. Her wide range of experience includes individual, child and family therapy in group homes, schools, and outpatient addiction and Seriously Mentally Ill adult residential programs. Rachel approaches therapy through Object Relations and Attachment theory which aid clients understand how past relationships with care givers, influence present attitudes, thoughts and reactiveness in relationships. Rachel is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Play therapy. Through empowering and advocating, Rachel assists clients discover and understand existing strengths and coping skills to promote personal growth and desired change. Rachel is an army wife of 20+ years and has a heart for serving military families and veterans. When Rachel is not working she is highly involved with her children’s academic and sports activities.

Rachel has practiced as a licensed Marriage, Family Therapist since 2010. Rachel’s clinical experience includes working with at-risk children and adolescents through school-based counseling and community mental health agencies in Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Rachel utilizes a relational (object relations) theoretical orientation. The Object relations theory is centered on our relationships with others. This approach emphasizes that our lifelong relationship skills are strongly rooted in our early attachments/experiences with parents, caregivers, etc. Rachel focuses on empowering clients to understand how relationships of the past and present intertwine to impact the overall mental health of an individual. Rachel incorporates Attachment theory, emphasizing that growth and the change that come with it, is a lifelong endeavor. Varied experiences as a group home childcare worker, school-based counselor, play therapist, addiction treatment services and working in private practice setting have given her exposure to a diverse clinical population (children, individuals, couples, families, etc) with a range of mental health issues/concerns.

Rachel aids clients in understanding that relationship wellness is rooted in understanding the foundational relationships and experiences that have made them who they are. Rachel helps clients to understand that often what coping skills they have utilized in the past, do not serve the client’s needs of today. Rachel helps clients recognize, understand and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, while helping clients learn to restructures their relationships. Focus is always on empowering clients toward personal growth and advocacy.