Rachel Gross
Rachel is a Mental Health Practitioner working toward licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She earned her undergraduate degree in Consumer Affairs and her Master's in Communication and Media Studies from South Dakota State University, followed by a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Cloud State University. Her certifications include MAP and Trauma-Informed Resilience Yoga Training. Rachel provides therapeutic services to clients ages 10 through 60 and older. Her areas of specialty include anxiety, eating disorders, first-time therapy clients, sex and intimacy, attachment challenges, and couples, although she works with clients with a range of diagnoses. She grounds her therapeutic approach in an eclectic framework, integrating person-centered, feminist, attachment, Gestalt, somatic, internal family systems, and Gottman method.
Rachel works with the following diagnoses and experiences.
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- ADHD
- Eating disorders
- Trauma and Post-Traumatic stress disorder
- Complex trauma
- Life transitions
- Chronic stress and burnout
- School-related concerns
- Couples and relationship challenges
- Attachment and relationship patterns
- Self-esteem and self-worth
- Perfectionism
- Somatic symptoms (body-based stress, tension, chronic pain)
- Women's mental health (postpartum, fertility-related stress, etc.)
- LGBTQ+ affirming care
My goal is to be your teammate and cheerleader throughout your therapeutic journey. I tailor my therapeutic interventions and approaches to meet your specific needs while empowering you to pursue your mental health journey. I approach each client in a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and inclusive manner, regardless of who you are.
What do you like to do when you're not a therapist?
As a certified yoga instructor and lifelong athlete, I love moving my body, whether that's by doing and teaching yoga, going for a run, or walking my two dogs. I love reading, spending time with my loved ones, and trying new restaurants.
What are three words your loved ones would use to describe you?
Empathetic, Dedicated, Intentional
How do you incorporate your own identity into your role as a therapist?
Relationships and connection are central to my life, and I view therapy the same way - as a relational process. I bring my authentic self into the room: grounded, compassionate, empowering, and curious. By showing up genuinely, I hope to help clients feel safe doing the same. Creativity is also a core part of who I am, and I use it in therapy to help clients explore new perspectives, express themselves in different ways, and find meaning in their experiences. I remain mindful of how my identity shapes my perspective, utilizing reflection and supervision to identify blind spots, ensuring that my identity supports the work rather than drives it. I also bring humor, joy, empowerment, and empathy to my practice, which are parts of my identity.
What is your universal piece of advice?
Be kind. You never know what battles someone else is facing.
What inspired you to become a therapist?
Mental health has always been a passion of mine, and one that I speak openly about, as it has shaped my own life. As a former Division I athlete, I understand firsthand the relationship and impact mental health can have on physical well-being and social connection. My first two degrees are in Marketing and Communication, so not the "traditional" background. I returned to school in 2020 to pursue my degree in mental health, aiming to professionally pursue and continue my passion for the field.
What do you dream of?
My dream is to live a grounded, balanced life where I can be fully present - with my clients, my loved ones, and myself. I want to keep finding joy in small moments and meaning in everyday connections.