Rachel Bushnell Updated

Rachel Bushnell

CREDENTIALS

LPCC

SPECIALTIES

Addictions
ADHD
Borderline Personality Disorder

AGE GROUPS

Adults (18-64)
Seniors (65+)

LICENSURE

Kentucky

YEARS PRACTICING

6 Years

Personal Experience & Biography

I help clients who feel stuck in cycles that seem hard to break—whether that’s substance use, difficulty focusing, or intense and overwhelming emotions. My approach is grounded in evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care, and I tailor treatment to meet each person’s specific needs, goals, and pace.

For individuals struggling with addiction, I focus on helping you understand the underlying patterns that maintain substance use while building practical skills to support long-term recovery. Together, we explore triggers, thought patterns, and emotional responses that contribute to use, while developing healthier coping strategies, relapse prevention plans, and a stronger sense of self-efficacy. I also place a strong emphasis on addressing co-occurring concerns like depression, anxiety, or trauma that often accompany substance use.

When working with ADHD, I help clients move beyond frustration and self-criticism toward effective, realistic strategies for managing attention, organization, and follow-through. This includes building structure, improving time management, and addressing the emotional impact of ADHD, such as shame, low motivation, or feeling “behind.” I aim to create systems that actually work for your life—not just ones that look good on paper.

For clients with Borderline Personality Disorder, I provide structured, skills-based support rooted in DBT. This includes helping you develop emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills. We work on reducing impulsive behaviors, improving relationship stability, and building a more consistent and grounded sense of self. I also prioritize creating a therapeutic space that feels safe, validating, and nonjudgmental while still supporting meaningful change.

Across all of these areas, I believe therapy should be both practical and compassionate. I work collaboratively with clients to increase insight, strengthen coping skills, and support lasting behavioral and emotional change. My goal is to help you feel more in control of your thoughts, emotions, and actions—so you can build a life that feels stable, meaningful, and aligned with who you want to be.

A session with me is structured, collaborative, and grounded in real-life application. I tend to balance being direct and goal-oriented with being warm, approachable, and nonjudgmental. My style isn’t passive—I will actively engage with you, ask thoughtful questions, and help you look at patterns that may be hard to see on your own—but I do so in a way that feels respectful and supportive, not critical.

I value honesty and transparency in the therapy room. That means I may gently challenge unhelpful thought patterns or behaviors when needed, while also helping you understand the “why” behind them. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, so sessions are tailored to your needs—some days may focus more on processing emotions, while others may be more skills-based and practical.

You can expect sessions to include a mix of conversation, skill-building, and reflection. I often incorporate techniques from CBT and DBT, which means we may work on identifying thought patterns, practicing coping strategies, or learning tools to better manage emotions and stress. I also like to connect what we talk about in session to what’s happening in your day-to-day life, so therapy feels relevant and useful outside of the room.

Personality-wise, I would describe myself as grounded, attentive, and straightforward. I bring consistency and structure to sessions, which can be especially helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed or scattered. At the same time, I aim to create a space where you feel comfortable being open—whether that means talking through something serious, expressing frustration, or even using humor when appropriate.

Ultimately, my goal is for you to leave sessions feeling understood, but also with something tangible— whether that’s a new perspective, a skill to practice, or a clearer sense of direction.

Clients tend to keep coming back because therapy with me feels both meaningful and useful—they’re not just talking, they’re making progress they can see and feel in their day-to-day lives. I focus on helping clients connect insight with action, so sessions don’t stay abstract. We identify patterns, build practical skills, and track real changes over time, which helps clients feel a sense of momentum and direction.

I also provide consistency and structure, which many clients find stabilizing—especially if they’re dealing with anxiety, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, or recovery from substance use. Sessions have a clear focus, but they’re flexible enough to meet you where you are each week. Clients know what to expect from me: I’m engaged, prepared, and paying attention to both the details and the bigger picture of their progress.

Another reason clients return is the balance I maintain between support and accountability. I create a space that is nonjudgmental and validating, but I also gently challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck. Clients often appreciate that I’m honest and straightforward while still being respectful and empathetic. That combination helps build trust and makes it easier to do deeper, more effective work over time.

I also prioritize skill-building and long-term change. Whether we’re working on relapse prevention, emotional regulation, or improving focus and follow-through, I want you to leave sessions with tools you can actually use. As clients begin to apply these skills successfully, it reinforces their motivation to continue therapy and deepen the work.

Finally, I place a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. Clients often share that they feel heard, understood, and not judged, which makes it easier to be open and consistent with treatment. Over time, that sense of safety—combined with real, measurable progress—keeps clients engaged and returning for follow-up visits.

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