Rachel DeStefano
Rachel DeStefano
Tyrone Square – St. Petersburg Office
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have worked in outpatient settings, inpatient stabilization units, therapeutic communities, and residential facilities. I have worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, depression, communication, and boundaries. I believe in seeing everyone as their own person, and I cater my therapeutic approach accordingly. Sometimes traditional talk therapy is most helpful. Sometimes I utilize more unconventional and experiential methods. I like to help my clients recognize their patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving and work with them to improve these patterns, so they have a better relationship with themselves and with others.
Grief Counseling
Constructive Communication
Setting Healthy Boundaries
I believe everyone has a voice that is worthy of being heard, and everyone is worthy of feeling seen. But it is not uncommon to believe that our voice does not matter and that our words are insignificant. We may feel ignored, neglected, unsupported, and invalidated. When this happens, we may turn inward and make ourselves and our needs very small.
We may lash out and get loud so that others will hear us. Or we may turn to substances, food, relationships – anything to fill this void we feel inside. We have these unmet needs at our core, and we are not always sure how to meet them in healthy ways. My goal is to help you identify what is missing, help empower you to find and use your voice, assist you with connection to yourself and with others, and find healthier ways to cope when life becomes messy and overwhelming.
We all experience trauma – whether it feels big and obvious or maybe it is a bit more subtle. Sometimes we do not realize how this trauma is impacting us daily. We think we are in control, but we are reacting to life rather than responding to it. Trauma is tricky – it isn’t something we often want to discuss. And sometimes, there are no words to describe that feeling in the pit of our stomach.
I offer specialized trauma therapy that requires little to no talking at all. I am trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), both of which provide alternative ways of coping with trauma. I have worked with countless clients through their traumas, and I consider it a true honor and privilege to be a part of my clients’ journeys. I understand that therapy requires clients to lean into vulnerability and trust – which are often not easily given. And I have the most profound respect for those who choose to do their work and are open to the process. I also respect those who are hesitant about the process, who are skeptical of its benefits and those who are even resistant to it. All I ask is that you are honest. Honesty is a crucial step toward healing.
- I’m a mom to two young boys, and they are my best little friends. We love going to the Aquarium, playing at the park, watching the garbage trucks outside our window, and having impromptu dance parties in our kitchen. They keep me silly and help me notice the magical moments.
- I love writing, and it’s always been my dream to become an author. I’m currently working on my first book.
- I enjoy live music, theater, trying new restaurants, and going on adventures. I value quality time with family and friends, genuine connections, and I’m all about kindness. I continue to work on being kinder to myself.
- I am passionate about normalizing emotions and experiences. Follow me on Instagram for content about mental health, motherhood, and just embracing being human: @being.mama.and.me
Rachel in the Media
