ABOUT: Rachel Phillips-Anderson | Silver Spring

ABOUT RACHEL

I am passionate about helping people overcome fear and worry.

For over a decade, I have helped people move beyond a range of anxiety disorders to realize more satisfying, enjoyable, and fulfilling lives.

The best part of my job is seeing the tremendous progress that people are capable of.

It is gratifying to be part of a client’s journey from feeling stuck and avoidant to doing things they never imagined possible – like dating, moving out on their own, or even just being able to relax and enjoy their families.

My clients appreciate that I bring a warm, non-judgmental approach to research supported treatment techniques, including CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness.

I welcome working with clients from diverse backgrounds and national origins, and have lived in several different countries myself.

What is it like to work with me?

When you work with me, you are not going to get some largely silent therapist who occasionally nods or says, “Tell me more about that.” I don’t think I could do that, and I don’t think that is what most clients want. I am transparent about what I’m thinking and what we are working on in therapy.

I have been on the other side of the couch, and I don’t believe it’s helpful for therapy to feel like a mysterious process that you don’t know the rules to.

In therapy with me, we work on identifying what’s important to you, what is getting in the way, and how you can move toward greater joy and meaning in your life.

People often tell me that I really “get” how anxiety shows up for them, and through our work together they are able to engage in a life that is no longer dominated by anxiety’s demands.

I am a long-time meditator and mindfulness teacher.

When I joined a Buddhist meditation community over 20 years ago, and was given the dhamma name “Compassionate Candor,” I wasn’t so sure how it fit me. At the time, I worked in policy and wasn’t yet a psychotherapist. However, the more I practiced meditation and mindfulness, I experienced an increased capacity to explore my own suffering and a wish to help others with their suffering by being a psychotherapist. Now, I have come to see that my dhamma name reflects both the honesty and caring I strive to bring into my work with each client I see.

Everyone deserves effective, evidenced-based, culturally responsive care.

As part of my commitment to anti-racist, disability-inclusive, and gender and LGTQIA+ affirming, therapy, I am actively involved in reading, clinical trainings, self-reflection, and candid conversation to address my biases and to strive to provide sensitive and effective treatment