Rachel Vecchio,
LPC Associate

I know the feeling. You're feeling overwhelmed by the pressures and expectations of life, whether it’s from your family, job, friends, school, or maybe even yourself. Maybe you feel you’ve lost touch with who you are and insecurity has clouded your true self.  Maybe you are feeling more anxious than usual or avoiding things you once enjoyed, and you crave to be at peace.  Maybe you're afraid to open up and let someone know how you really feel and what that might look like.  

I want you to know that you are not alone in this feeling. We can become so weighed down by our daily routine and life’s expectations that we lose touch with ourselves.  We may start to form a mask that covers how we really feel, just to get through the day.  This is often a sign that it's time to reconnect with yourself and explore your inner workings more deeply. 

I believe that the relationship we have with ourselves is essential and precious. Through our work together we can create new meaning and explore these emotions to their roots.  I love creating a comfortable, nurturing, judgment-free environment that promotes laughter, authenticity, vulnerability, and a place to have a spectrum of conversations. 

I invite you to take this first step and reach out. You are worthy of a space just for you. 

Personal
I come from a complex yet loving family. My family is huge, loud, and always telling ridiculous jokes. I’m the person in my friend group who you can have a serious conversation with and laugh and have fun with, too.  I learned at a young age that humor is a great tool to make life a little easier to get through. My friends and family would describe me as intelligent, caring, compassionate, and witty. I have a very close group of friends who have helped me through some very hard times. Meaningful connection is something I value above anything else.  I love to be immersed in nature, go to shows around Austin, and be carefree with the people I love. My relationships and being a very open-minded person have shaped me into the person and counselor I am today. I’m a Texas native and have lived in Austin for the last four years with my partner, our cat (Pepper), and our puppy (Eevee). 

Professional
I describe my style as unstructured, collaborative, go-with-the-flow, and conversational. My favorite part of being a counselor is getting to know you and forming a genuine bond that cultivates a rich environment for healing. In our work together, I emphasize reconnecting with your strengths, values, and authentic self. I’m here to help you unpack the messages you picked up in your younger years, learn to compassionately respond to your inner critic, and break free of patterns that are no longer helping you move forward.

I was a behavior therapist for kiddos with autism spectrum disorder for three years before diving into the counseling world. The experience of working with these incredible kids taught me patience, understanding, and the skills to support someone through challenging times. After years of therapy, I transitioned into the counseling world when I realized I had a passion for connecting with others and looking deeper into the emotions that drive our behaviors. During graduate school, I worked with clients at Austin State Hospital who experienced psychosis, bipolar disorder, intellectual disabilities, PTSD, and complex trauma. Additionally, I also worked at Southwestern University, counseling students experiencing anxiety, depression, identity issues, and gender dysphoria. It was a privilege to work with such a diverse group of people, as it solidified that as humans, we all need a safe space to express our emotions and get the support we need.