Postgrad Diploma in Performance Psychology
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Oregon and Washington State
Move past anxiety
into your potential
Counseling for when you're
stressed and overwhelmed
so you're equipped f0r life
& confident in performance
Individual mental health therapy to help you...
Manage Stress
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I work with adults who want to be free from the control of anxiety so they can focus on what is meaningful and important to them.
Heal
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I work with adults who suspect a traumatic event or something from their childhood experience is keeping them from fully engaging with life now.
Elevate Performance
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I work with teens and adults who are aiming for excellence in performance to overcome anxiety and perform to their potential.
Mental Health Therapy to treat general anxiety, performance anxiety, and trauma for residents of Oregon and Washington State
About Me
I have always had a particular interest in anxiety. Having decades of experience as a professional musician and teacher, I know the stress of performing under pressure and how performance anxiety can get in the way of performing to what you are capable of.
After becoming licensed and then practicing as a therapist in Washington State, I went on to complete postgraduate studies in Performance Psychology so that I could offer the very best in what is currently known about how to utilize stress, manage anxiety, and perform optimally.
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In my work with clients and my own experience, I have increasingly come to value how early attachment experiences impact our self-concept, beliefs about ourselves, and our ability to exert control over our lives. Healing these early wounds allows us to accept ourselves and rewrite the negative stories we tell ourselves, empowering us to utilize tools that move us toward how we intend to live.
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Whether your anxiety is performance-related or affects your life more generally, I want to help you find a way to live a life that is driven not by anxiety, but by what is valuable and meaningful to you.​ And if you would like, I would be honored to come alongside you on your journey to heal the effects of trauma so you are free to embrace and live into your true self.
Profile on Psychology Today
Profile on Headway
There is no "one-size-fits-all" method. I use strategies that are tailored to you and your situation.
My Therapeutic Style
I have a down-to-earth style and aim to be transparent in how I communicate. It is important to me that you feel comfortable and safe to explore your inner world.
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I use a holistic approach - the mind, body, and environment all need to be taken into account for any treatment of anxiety to be effective.
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You come to therapy with your own unique personality and circumstances and though there are basic principles that apply to managing anxiety, there is no "one-size-fits-all" method. I aim to use strategies that are tailored and adjusted to work for you and your situation. I value working collaboratively to determine what will work best for you, knowing that you are the expert in your own life.
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It doesn't matter if you are new to therapy or have engaged in counseling before. Whether you are looking for guidance and encouragement or whether you would like to delve into a deeper issue, I want to meet you where you are at. I am trained in cognitive-behavioral therapies, mindfulness and acceptance approaches, and trauma therapy.
What to expect
In our work, you will:
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Develop greater self-awareness
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Identify what’s important to you
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Gain strategies to break the impact of painful thoughts and feelings on your daily life
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Practice acceptance of unwanted emotions and thoughts - they’re part of the process!
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Learn new, more helpful ways of responding to stress and anxiety​
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Create realistic, manageable goals
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Experiment with and practice the strategies that allow you to remain present and focused when under pressure
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Discover how to heal from trauma
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Learn to engage fully in the life you want to live
Have more questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
What Happens Next?
1. Initial consultation
Whether you have been in therapy before or if this is completely new to you, it is important that our working together is a good fit. Get in touch with me through the contact form to schedule a free, confidential 15-minute consultation where we can determine this.
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2. Sessions
If you decide to move forward with therapy, we will likely do weekly 60-minute appointments. Although the frequency is entirely up to you, most clients find that weekly or biweekly appointments are the most productive.
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Sessions are offered exclusively through telehealth (therapy through online video meetings). Online therapy is convenient as it eliminates commuting and you can meet in the comfort of your own home. All you need is a private space where you can speak freely, a computer (or even your phone), and a good internet connection.
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3. Payment
I offer private pay services and accept insurance through Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Premera, Optum, Oscar Health, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Meritain. Please see my profile on Headway at https://headway.co/providers/rachelle-ventura (for Premera and BCBS) and on Alma at https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/rachelle-ventura/ (all the rest) to sign up and use insurance benefits.
Performance Coaching
Are you a high-performer in the arts, health care or business, with a vision to launch yourself to the next level? With formal training in Performance Psychology, I can offer you the tools to help you do just that! If you are looking to accelerate your performance, with no need to address anxiety or other mental health address issues, take advantage of my performance coaching (groundedperformer.com).
*Coaching is available to anyone regardless of location and is not restricted to residents of Washington State.