Rachel Mathew, LMHC
Affordable Counseling for Children
Helping Kids and Parents Get on Track
I practice in Citrus Springs under ON TRACK KIDS. The program we have is directed at the needs of children, primarily, and includes the entire family. Children and their parents receive a comprehensive program of therapy and training. At ON TRACK KIDS, I do therapy with the children and my husband and I team teach enrichment classes for the parents and kids. He is a retired businessman with a passion for teaching. He has been a high school algebra teacher and a tutor. He has seen first hand the problems children and their families are up against. We both have a passion to be part of making things better. Although we have no magic wand, we both believe with all our hearts that when we choose to accept His help, God will help families in powerful ways beyond the ordinary. We want to be part of that kind of change!
Education/Training
I am a children's specialist and have been licensed since 1998. I received my Master of Arts in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. I counseled there for nine years and started working in Florida in 2007. I counsel from a Christian perspective, but have a deep respect for every individuals personal values, rights and beliefs. I have seen great results from the work I have done with children. Usually an improvement is seen quickly in their behavior and in their mood. I have noticed, however, that parents have problems, too, and yearn for personal help as well. When parents problems go on untreated, the relief seen from a child's counseling does not last long. For that reason, ON TRACK KIDS works with both parents and children. Parents who bring children to ON TRACK KIDS must to be ready to
take full advantage of resources offered for their growth as well.
Bio
I grew up in the country in NE Ohio. After graduating High School I attended Kent State University. I randomily choose to major in Speech and Hearing Therapy, knowing only that I wanted to help people. I graduated from Kent with a masters in Speech Pathology and went on to work in a preschool deaf nursery, an outpatient rehab center, and a rehab hospital before ending that career to be a stay home mom to our two sons. During those years I was very involved with children in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and backyard Bible Clubs. I also developed my artistic and creative side, learning flower arranging and working part time in flower shops. The most important outcome from those years, however, came from a time of personal recovery with some wonderful Christian counselors. I had come from a very rough background and needed healing.
When my sons were older, I decided to resume a career, but wanted to have a more comprehensive impact on lives than comes with speech therapy. I began to consider how I might use the same tools that had helped me to help others. Instead of returning to speech therapy, I enrolled in another masters program to become a counselor. I wanted to offer others a chance to heal from past woulds and patterns. I especially wanted to be part of offering this therapy to ones who could not afford it and who did not have insurance to cover it.
After graduating again, I started counseling. I have since worked at a variety of Chrisitan Counseling agencies as well as at a pregnancy resource center. I have worked in Citrus County since moving to Florida in 2007. I have experience at The Centers, at St. Anne's Counseling Center and with Child's Play Foundation. At this time, however, my husband and I are working together with ON TRACK KIDS, an organization that we formed to meet the needs of children with behavior and emotional problems and their parents..
Memberships
I am a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Payments Accepted
Cash or checks
Hours:Weekdays before and after school, some evenings
Cost/Session
donations accepted
License:Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Helpful Links
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Therapy
|
Life and Wellness Coaching
|
|
Anger Management
|
Play Therapy
|
|
Caregiver Issues
|
Religious Counseling
|
|
Learning Disabilities
| |
Licenses/Certifications
|
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
| |
