Welcome. I’m Rachel (she/her), also known as Sonder. I’ve been working in the mental health field since 2013, supporting clients in schools, substance use programs, outpatient clinics, and in their homes. I’ve held positions in Boston, Philadelphia, Allentown and online working with clients all over the world. Along the way, I’ve gained not only experience but a clear understanding of where our field excels and where it still needs to grow.

My love for helping people began in my very large family. Growing up surrounded by big personalities sparked my fascination with the human mind and behavior. That curiosity followed me to college in Boston, where I double-majored in Psychology (with a focus in Human Development) and American Studies (with a focus in Popular Culture). I was studying early childhood development in a preschool classroom one day and the next I was writing about the evolution of plastic surgery and the cultural shifts shaping our standards of beauty.

I was studying all of this during the rise of social media and reality television. I was watching in real time as our ideas of “normal,” “success” and even “reality” began to shift. Those observations deeply shaped how I understand mental health today.

With the threat of adulthood looming, I continued my education and earned my master’s degree through a dual program in General Counseling and Couples and Family Therapy. After graduate school, I worked primarily with children. My office was filled with board games, coloring books, and glow in the dark stars. I taught six-year-olds how to play chess and asked them to draw what their anger looked like. I also needed to fill my schedule seeing adults during the day and I also played Uno with them and asked them to draw what their depression looked like. It was in that office that I realized something powerful: adults need play just as much as children do. Creativity, humor, and imagination aren’t extras in healing, they’re essential.

Two of my biggest influences are Mr. Rogers and Dr. Patch Adams. Both demonstrated that you can speak to children and adults about difficult, even devastating, topics without diminishing them. They modeled compassion, honesty, and the courage to stand for what is right. Their work taught me that health care is political and being neutral would be going against our oath of “do no harm.”

That also means I don’t separate my values from my business. I work with people stuck in survival mode and help them find a safe way into stability and growth. Ultimately I believe the majority of people are kind. They are passionate and intelligent and hard working and given the proper support and community, they thrive.

With The Wayfaring Mind I am determined to create and maintain a safe and inclusive online space. A true “third place” outside of work or home where the only expectation is honesty about what you need… and maybe a solid recommendation for our next movie night.

I hope you’ll join us or support the community we’re building in whatever way feels right to you.

And yes, my cat Huey insists on being acknowledged. Please enjoy his glamour shot.