Rachel Winter, LPC

(She/Her)

Therapy for Teens, Young Adults, Adults, and Couples Seeking More Meaning, Connection, and Self-Understanding

I work with older adolescents, young adults, adults, and couples who want to better understand themselves, strengthen their relationships, and navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and confidence. Many of the people I support are chronic overthinkers, people-pleasers, professionals experiencing burnout, or individuals working through anxiety, identity questions, relationship struggles, or unexpected life transitions.

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Specialties:

  • Couples Counseling
  • Perfectionism
  • Identity Issues
  • Burn-out
  • Life Changes

What To Expect

My style is warm, curious, encouraging, direct, and playful. I want therapy to feel like a place where you can finally unclench your jaw, set down the emotional weight you’ve been carrying, and know you won’t be judged. Clients often describe sessions as feeling like a conversation with a supportive—but no-nonsense—friend. I believe healing happens when people feel deeply understood, and I balance that validation with gentle, respectful challenges that help uncover new perspectives and lasting change.

Our first session is about getting to know you—not rushing to fix anything. We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, what you hope will be different, and what feels important for me to understand about your story. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and able to move at your own pace.

We Might Be a Good Fit If You Feel…

  • “I keep running into the same problems in my relationships, and I want to understand where these patterns came from.”
  • “My life has changed in ways I wasn’t expecting, and I don’t know how to move forward.”
  • “I’m constantly worrying about how other people see me, and I don’t feel like myself.”

A Little About Me

I became a therapist because I’m endlessly curious about people and passionate about creating spaces where they feel truly seen. I care deeply about the ways our relationships, identities, and larger social systems shape our emotional lives, and I believe no one should have to navigate life’s hardest moments alone.

My work draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, existential therapy, and trauma-informed care to help clients develop self-compassion, healthier relationships, and a stronger sense of purpose. I’m also trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which helps couples strengthen emotional connection and navigate conflict in more meaningful ways.

Outside the therapy room, you’ll probably find me playing roller derby, reading horror or science fiction, hunting for vinyl at Chicago record stores, tending my vegetable garden, or recommending Robin Wall Kimmerer’s The Serviceberry to anyone who will listen.

If you’re ready to better understand yourself, build more meaningful relationships, and create a life that’s guided by your values instead of fear, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

 

Schedule a Session