Rachel Carlos , LMFT

Rachel Carlos is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with nine years of clinical experience. She has focused much of her work on at-risk populations, including individuals involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, and brings additional background in social work to her clinical perspective. Overseeing the operations of a nonprofit program that delivers clinical case management services has informed her understanding of systems-level needs and practical supports.

Rachel centers self-love, self-acceptance, and emotional well-being in both professional practice and personal values. Her style is strength-based and client-driven, emphasizing collaboration and the client’s own goals. She aims to create a comfortable, welcoming space where people can explore trauma, depression, work-life balance, and related concerns.

In sessions she often integrates Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients clarify motivation, reshape unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop concrete coping strategies. Rachel approaches her work with cultural awareness and an open mind, tailoring interventions to fit each person’s background and priorities.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Rachel Carlos

Rachel uses client-centered therapy to place the client's experience and goals at the center of the work. This approach emphasizes active listening, empathy, and collaboration so individuals can explore identity, self-esteem, and relationships in a way that feels true to them.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is incorporated to help identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT is practical and skills-based, often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns to build concrete strategies for day-to-day coping.

Motivational Interviewing supports clients who feel uncertain about change by exploring ambivalence and strengthening intrinsic motivation. This approach is helpful for navigating life transitions, clarifying values, and setting achievable goals.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Rachel works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on needs, goals, and preferences. Together they adapt methods and pacing as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and access licensed professionals from different locations, while preserving a consistent therapeutic relationship.