Rachel Braun, MA, ATR-BC
Art Therapist, Psychotherapist
Rachel is a board certified art therapist who received her master’s degree from Hahnemann’s Creative Arts in Therapy program through Drexel University in 2008. Since then she has worked with adults, children and adolescents to assist them through struggles with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss. For the past several years Rachel has been working at the Renfrew Center, an eating disorder treatment facility in Philadelphia, as both a group facilitator and individual therapist. It was here that she discovered her passion for helping women find their voices and actively challenge societal norms that all too often create a culture of oppression. Exploring topics such as body image, perfectionism, emotional awareness, communication, relationships, support, and safety has become the norm in working with these often highly creative and intelligent women. Rachel takes a holistic, person-centered approach as she helps clients connect with the images that they bring to therapy and then transform these images in such a way as to create an inner sense of peace and resolution. She believes that everyone has a story and that yours deserves to be listened to, honored and understood. In therapy with Rachel clients learn to engage in activities like collage, painting, drawing, sculpting and printmaking to increase confidence, self-expression and establish healthy coping mechanisms. Rachel’s groups are designed to empower clients and create healthy social connections. Previous art experience is not required; she is happy to meet you at your skill level. Rachel also has mindfulness training through Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program. She received additional training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through the Beck Initiative in 2011.
Prior to grad school Rachel had the opportunity to travel around the country and abroad - an invaluable experience that she believes helped her to gain a better appreciation and understanding of different cultures and lifestyles. Her love of art and photography has been with her since she was a little girl and as an artist, she’s always had the sense that the process of creating art in and of itself is therapeutic. By learning additional skills in therapy, she’s been able to offer this sentiment to others on a deeper, more meaningful level. Rachel believes that the creative process can extend to all aspects of life, where you can explore hidden strengths and discover a healthy path to your ideal self.