Nurtured Heart Counseling is Rachel Becker’s private practice. Rachel graduated with a Masters in Social Work, Mental Health focus, from University of Pittsburgh in 2014 and became a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) that year. In 2018 she became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker after 3000 hours of supervised practice. Upon graduating, she worked for six years at Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute (PPI), a counseling center that specializes in integrating spirituality and therapy across all faiths. In May 2016, she also began working with Christian Counselors Collaborative (CCC) on the Northside of Pittsburgh. Nurtured Heart Counseling was created in March 2021. Nurtured Heart Counseling exists to provide a listening environment and opportunities for growth for people struggling with relational realities, depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, family systems, excessive stress and spiritual concerns.
Rachel secondarily provides educational services for professionals who want to grow in integrating spirituality in their practice.
Although the counseling professions recognize the importance of including a person’s spiritual journey in order to serve clients holistically, working in this way is its own skill set that is seldom taught in most masters programs. Nonetheless, it can be the key that opens the door for positive change for a client and opens up new vistas and possibilities. Rachel uses research and experience to guide clinicians through case studies, ethical realities and how to think about spiritual integration with clients.
As suggested above, Rachel believes that a person’s spirituality, values and ultimate beliefs are important in therapy. When clients are interested, she includes a person’s spiritual journey in therapy sessions. She comes from a Christian background and those beliefs influence her thought process but she works without discrimination with whatever belief system the client brings into the room. For further information about Rachel’s clinical perspectives, see the services page.
Rachel has missionary background and comes from a pastor’s family. She is delighted to work with people in ministry or their families. She also serves other helping professionals. However, her preferred population is anyone with a willing heart to learn, grow, heal and discover new possibilities for their lives.