Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Gatschet. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

At 40, I took the biggest risk of my life — I asked for help.
For 25 years, I was a teacher — not just by profession, but by identity. It was the role I poured myself into with everything I had. Then, almost overnight, I lost it all. I lost a job I had held for eight years. I lost what I believed was my purpose. And in that unraveling, I lost my sense of self.

As a single mother of two children with special needs, I had always been the advocate, the protector, the one who held everything together. I fought tirelessly for my son, who cycled through seven elementary schools. I stood in the gap for my daughter, who has a voice she’s still learning to use. And in doing so, I forgot how to care for myself. I didn’t even realize I was drowning.

The risk came when I made a decision that terrified me: I checked myself into a behavioral health facility. It felt like admitting failure — like admitting I wasn’t strong enough. But what I’ve since realized is that it was the most courageous thing I could have done. It was the first time I had ever truly asked for help.

In those dark moments I hit rock bottom. But it was there, in that space of stillness and struggle, that I began to see the truth — not just about my mental health, but about my undiagnosed autism, about my grief, and about the pressure I had carried in silence for so long. I also began to see who was really there for me, which was both painful and clarifying.

And then — I started to heal. Through therapy, community, and creative outlets that allowed me to process what words sometimes couldn’t, I began to rebuild. Not the old version of me, but a new one. One with boundaries. One with passion. One with purpose that isn’t tied to a job title, but to something deeper: helping others find their voice, just as I had to fight to rediscover mine.

Mental health is still a taboo subject. So is addiction. But I know now that silence is not strength. Expression is. And creativity has become my tool, my therapy, my truth-teller.

This risk — stepping away from everything I thought I was supposed to be — turned out to be the doorway to who I truly am. And now, my mission is clear: to help others find that same door.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Rachel — the heart and hands behind Healing in Real Time.

Healing in Real Time began as Rachel’s Creations. It was a side hustle during a challenging chapter of my life. While my mom helped care for my son when he was out of school, I started pouring my energy into something creative — paint pour artwork. What began as a therapeutic outlet quickly evolved. I began turning my paintings into wearable art — jewelry — and from there, my creativity (and ADHD!) took the lead. I found myself exploring a wide range of artistic mediums, each one offering its own form of healing and self-expression.

Through this journey, I realized that what I was doing wasn’t just creating — I was healing. And I wasn’t doing it quietly. That’s when Healing in Real Time was born — a phrase I trademarked because it captures everything I stand for: honesty, expression, and transformation in the middle of the mess.

What I hope to Offer:
Healing in Real Time is more than a brand — it’s a movement. I create handmade, heartfelt pieces — from jewelry to mixed-media art — that speak to the raw, real journey of healing. But beyond the products, I’m building something bigger: a safe, creative, inclusive space for healing and connection.
My vision is to open a physical studio with multiple purposes:

During the day: A Reggio-inspired creative space for children of all abilities — a welcoming, open environment where they can explore and express themselves freely.

In the evenings: Inclusive creative workshops and classes for anyone looking to reconnect with themselves, express emotions, or just feel less alone.

Always: A quiet, supportive room for 12-step meetings and recovery conversations — a space for people to gather, share, and heal.

I’ll also offer creative kits and materials that can be mailed to those who may not be ready or able to attend in person, but still crave connection and expression from home.

What Sets Me Apart
What sets Healing in Real Time apart is that it’s grounded in lived experience. This isn’t a business built around trends — it’s built around truth. I’m a single mom, a neurodivergent woman, a mental health advocate, and someone who’s walked through burnout, breakdown, and breakthrough. I’ve spent my life fighting for my children’s voices — and rediscovering my own along the way.
This brand is personal. It’s honest. It’s messy and beautiful. And it’s here for you, wherever you are on your healing journey.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of showing up — authentically, imperfectly, and fully.

A Final Word
If you’ve ever felt too broken, too tired, too different, or too lost — this will be the space for you.
Healing doesn’t have to happen behind closed doors. You don’t have to wait until you’ve “figured it all out” to begin. I believe in healing out loud — through color, texture, connection, and courage.

Welcome to Healing in Real Time.

Contact Info:

• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

All photos are taken by me :)