Rachel Hanley, M.A.

Rachel Hanley (she/her) is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at Fielding Graduate University and a clinical psychology extern at California Counseling Clinics. Her clinical training emphasizes evidence-based psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed care.

Rachel’s clinical work is informed by her experience supporting individuals with serious mental illness through the UCLA Semel Institute Aftercare Program for first-episode psychosis, as well as her research training in neuropsychology and behavioral health. She approaches therapy collaboratively, with a focus on helping clients build insight, psychological flexibility, and meaningful behavioral change.

Her areas of interest include severe mental illness, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and supporting individuals navigating stress, depression, and recovery. Rachel is particularly interested in the intersection of neuroscience, trauma, and meaning-making in psychological healing.

She graduated summa cum laude from Pennsylvania State University and is currently completing her doctoral training at Fielding Graduate University. She continues her research experience at Penn State, focusing on behavioral health, circadian rhythms, and neuropsychological functioning in clinical populations. She is also a co-author of the scientific publication Neuroimaging of Opioid Exposure: A Review of Preclinical Animal Models to Inform Addiction Research.

Education: 

• M.A., Clinical Psychology, Fielding Graduate University
• B.S. in Psychology, Pennsylvania State University

Experience:

• Extern, California Counseling Clinics
• Extern, UCLA Semel Institute – Los Angeles, CA

Common Presenting Issues I Work With: 

Addiction, Alcohol Use, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Career Counseling, Codependency, Depression, Divorce, Domestic Abuse, Dual Diagnosis, Family Conflict, Infertility, Infidelity, Medication Management, Parenting, Pregnancy, Prenatal,  Postpartum, Relationship Issues, Self-Esteem, Sexual Abuse, Sleep or Insomnia, Spirituality, Substance use, Trauma and PTSD, Women’s Issues

Types of Therapy: 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Trauma-Informed Interventions