We recently connected with Rachel Taylor and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rachel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?

I had two incredibly formative field placements during my internship that have had a lasting impact on my career. One was in Colorado, where I worked at an elementary and middle school, and the other was in Massachusetts at a Victim Services Outpatient program. These experiences gave me the opportunity to work closely with clients on interdisciplinary teams, which was invaluable in shaping my understanding of clinical practice and teamwork.

A particularly significant challenge I faced was during my first internship in Colorado, when the pandemic hit. It was such a unique time, and I was still early in my career, so there was a lot of imposter syndrome. I remember feeling as though I wasn’t doing enough or missing the mark in supporting my students. But being thrown into the deep end in such a high-stress environment—supporting kids who were suddenly navigating virtual learning, social isolation, and a lot of uncertainty—really pushed me to grow. I began to trust my instincts more, and, although it was difficult at times, I came out of that experience with a much stronger sense of self-confidence and determination to pursue my career.

My second internship, which was also during the pandemic, was with a Victim Services Outpatient program. In some ways, it was a relief to be in a setting that wasn’t changing as rapidly, but the challenge here was learning to apply the skills I developed in my first placement to a new, but equally complex, context. I was able to share my experiences with other interns who were going through similar struggles, and that sense of camaraderie really helped us grow as professionals. Looking back, I see that both of these internships taught me important lessons—not just about clinical skills, but about how to navigate uncertainty and how crucial it is to support and collaborate with others in a team.

I’m deeply grateful for those two placements, and for the supervisors and clients who taught me more than I can ever put into words. I think one of the biggest takeaways from both experiences is that growth doesn’t always come in straight lines. Sometimes it’s about persevering through difficult moments, learning from them, and finding ways to be a supportive team member while continuing to develop your own confidence as a clinician.

Rachel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m the oldest sister to one younger brother, and I grew up in an affluent town with two self-employed parents. My mother, a forensic psychologist, sparked my early fascination with the mind, though I didn’t always embrace this interest openly, especially when it came to discussing it with her. As a child, I was a bit of a challenge, always wanting to carve my own path, which led me to shy away from fully exploring this field at the time.

However, my life took a dramatic turn in high school when my parents divorced, which brought me face to face with my own mental health struggles. During this period, I found a therapist who became a cornerstone of my journey, someone I would see for the next 10 years. My own experiences with therapy gave me the insight and empathy that later fueled my passion for helping others.

In college, I experienced the death of my boyfriend, which was a pivotal moment. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I worked in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), providing in-home therapy for children on the autism spectrum. This experience exposed me to the challenges that families face, and also ignited my interest in the intersection of mental health, advocacy, and social justice—especially as I witnessed the heightened political climate at the time. This led me to pursue my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Smith College School for Social Work.

Through my training, I became deeply committed to understanding the complex, often hidden dynamics that shape people’s mental health and behaviors. I’m particularly proud of my ability to blend clinical skills with a strong commitment to social justice. Whether I’m working with individuals, families, or communities, my focus is on empowering my clients and advocating for systemic change, particularly in mental health and social justice issues.

After completing my MSW at Smith College School for Social Work, I continued to build on my passion for mental health and social justice by working in community mental health. Over the course of several years, I had the privilege of working in two distinct but equally impactful programs: 1.5 years working with youth post-hospitalization, and another 1.5 years at a domestic violence (DV) resource center. These experiences were pivotal in shaping my understanding of the deep, often invisible trauma that many individuals face.

Eventually, these combined experiences inspired me to open my own private practice, where I could offer a more individualized, trauma-informed approach to therapy. I wanted to create a space where people could feel safe to process their experiences, heal from trauma, and develop the skills they need to live their best lives. My practice allows me to integrate all that I’ve learned from working with a diverse range of clients, including survivors of trauma, youth in crisis, and individuals seeking to make long-term, positive changes in their lives.

What I’m most proud of is the way I’ve been able to build a practice that combines clinical expertise with a strong commitment to empathy and social justice.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

In my clinical work, supervision, and personal life, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of continuous self-reflection. I often tell new clinicians in supervision that humility is crucial in the therapeutic space. It’s not just about having knowledge or the right tools—it’s about recognizing that we, too, are human beings with our own emotions, biases, and experiences. This humility allows us to stay open, curious, and present with our clients, which is essential for building trust and facilitating growth.

I think this concept can be applied to many areas of life, not just therapy. So often, we can fall into patterns of living according to previous versions of ourselves, or we may try to shape our behaviors to meet the perceived expectations of others. The result is that we often feel disconnected or like we’re constantly seeking external approval. But the truth is, much of that approval already exists within us, and true growth comes from learning to align with our authentic selves. In therapy, and in life, it’s this kind of self-awareness that allows us to show up fully and be present for others.

In terms of training and professional development, I believe it’s crucial for new clinicians to seek out their own therapy, maintain ongoing supervision, and explore different therapeutic lenses. Trusting your clinical instincts is vital, but it’s equally important to be reflective about where those instincts are coming from and how they align with your training and experiences.

For me, one of the most valuable additions to my practice has been learning and integrating EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). It’s a powerful tool for treating a wide range of challenges, particularly trauma, and it has enhanced my ability to work with clients in a more dynamic, holistic way. I’ve learned that our nervous systems are always engaged in the therapeutic process, and even something as simple as showing up with presence and intention can be an intervention in itself.

On a different note, for anyone considering starting a small business, especially in a field like therapy, it’s normal to feel fear and uncertainty. That hesitation is actually a sign of reflection and thoughtfulness. Stepping into the world of entrepreneurship can be daunting, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Leaning on your network, whether for mentorship, collaboration, or emotional support, is crucial. And while it may seem daunting, I highly recommend taking some basic accounting courses, even if you plan to hire an accountant. The financial side of a business can feel intimidating, but having an understanding of it can be both empowering and liberating.

Finally, adaptability and flexibility are essential when running a small business. You may enter with a clear vision, but once you have more experience and data from working with clients, you may need to pivot or adjust your approach. The key is to stay open to those changes and use the feedback you get to refine your path forward.

Overall, I think success in this field comes from a combination of ongoing self-awareness, a willingness to grow and learn, and the courage to embrace both the challenges and rewards of doing meaningful work.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One of the key texts that shaped my understanding of psychodynamic principles is Inside Out, Outside In by Jon G. Allen. This book deepened my appreciation for how early relational experiences shape our inner worlds and how those dynamics play out in the therapeutic space. It’s influenced my approach to working with clients from a psychodynamic perspective, where I focus on exploring unconscious patterns and relational dynamics to help individuals make meaningful change. It also helped me better understand the importance of empathy and attunement in both therapy and leadership.

Another significant resource for me has been Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy. This book explores the importance of fostering self-compassion and understanding our inner emotional landscapes. It’s shaped how I approach not only my clinical work but also how I view management and leadership.

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk and Rebuilding Shattered Lives by James R. Maddock have been incredibly impactful in shaping my trauma-informed approach. The Body Keeps the Score opened my eyes to how trauma affects the body and how important it is to address the mind-body connection in therapy. This has not only transformed how I work with clients who have experienced trauma but also how I think about resilience in a business context. Just like trauma survivors need a holistic, integrative approach to healing, I believe entrepreneurs need to tend to both the emotional and logistical aspects of their businesses to thrive.

Things May Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong by Kelly Wilson provided me with a practical framework for navigating uncertainty and embracing discomfort—something that every entrepreneur faces. I think the biggest lesson here was learning to manage the fear of failure and recognizing that mistakes are part of the journey, not something to be avoided at all costs. This mindset shift has been invaluable as I navigate the ups and downs of building and running my practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tayloredperspectives.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylored_perspectives_pllc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-taylor-lcsw-emdr-1a6063166?trk=public_post_feed-actor-imagehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Frachel-taylor-lcsw-emdr-1a6063166%3Ftrk%3Dpublic_post_feed-actor-image&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F