Rachel Ratafia-Levine

Together we will explore what's keeping you or your child feeling stuck, understand emotions and patterns, and build practical tools to navigate anxiety, relationships, parenting challenges, and life transitions. Using a compassionate, collaborative approach, we'll strengthen communication, build confidence, and create meaningful, lasting change.

My clients describe me as warm, approachable, compassionate, and easy to talk to. I create a welcoming, judgment-free space where children, teens, and adults feel heard, understood, and supported. I balance empathy with practical guidance, helping clients gain insight, build confidence, strengthen relationships, and make meaningful changes.

Our first session is about getting to know you and building a comfortable, trusting connection. We'll explore what's going well, what feels challenging, and what you hope to gain from therapy. We'll also review your intake information and, when helpful, assessments of anxiety or depression to better understand your starting point and guide our work together.

I became a therapist because I believe everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported. After years as a school counselor, I saw how meaningful it can be to help children, teens, and families navigate challenges. I love helping people better understand themselves, strengthen relationships, build confidence, and create lasting, positive change.

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 17 years of counseling experience, including a background in school counseling. At Forward Focus Counseling, I specialize in supporting adolescents, teens, parents, and adults navigating anxiety, relationships, and life transitions. I offer a warm, collaborative approach, in person in Alexandria and virtually.