Meet Rachel Grayczyk, LCSW | Trauma Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Grayczyk, LCSW and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
When I think about the most important factors in overall well-being, human connection is at the top of the list. As we adjust to a world where connection is often curated, parasocial, and/or shaped by algorithms and AI, the opportunity for two humans to resonate emotionally, interact authentically, and collaborate toward a common goal can serve as both a healing balm and a way to navigate the unique challenges of our modern world.

That’s what therapy is: a space to simply be human and to slow down for a bit. As folks begin to find more presence through the therapeutic process, they’re often able to positively influence their relationships, engage more intentionally with their communities, and create a ripple effect of healing.

I love getting to be a part of that, both through individual therapy and through workshops that bring people together to connect, learn, and remember that they’re not alone in navigating the challenges of being human.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a therapist specializing in grief recovery, couples work, and post-traumatic growth. I provide identity-affirming therapy via telehealth throughout California. I also host in-person workshops in Los Angeles designed to bring people together and build resilience for life’s inevitable challenges.

Becoming a therapist was one of the most emotionally, logistically, and financially challenging undertakings of my adult life, but it’s also the best decision I’ve ever made. Prior to becoming a therapist, I wrote essays for websites like Tiny Buddha, taught yoga and meditation, and eventually began training yoga teachers in trauma-informed practices. I co-led grief groups for people navigating traumatic loss, volunteered as an advocate for foster youth, and constantly consumed literature about the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, all while working full-time in demanding corporate roles.

Of course, I eventually burned out. But instead of pushing through, I realized I wanted to go all in on the work that felt meaningful. So I trained to become a psychotherapist, completed more than 3,000 hours of post-graduate training and supervised experience, and became a licensed clinical social worker in early 2026.

It was an exhausting journey at times, but the biggest lesson I’ve learned is the joy of pursuing your passion with your whole being: the worthiness of sacrifice, the fulfillment of accomplishing years-long goals, and the quiet contentment that comes from living a life aligned with your core values.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What a fun question! My best friends HAVE come to visit the area and I DO try to show them the best time ever, so here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of my favorite LA-Area activities: Ecstatic Dance on Venice Beach; hiking in the area north of La Crescenta on the 2 or deep in the Santa Monica mountains; a yoga class or workshop at Kinship Yoga in Highland Park or Light and Space on Sunset; any event at Scribble Community Center in Highland Park (where I often host my workshops); concerts at the Greek, Ford or Hollywood Bowl; nature-oriented events through Living Earth Los Angeles; visiting museum exhibitions, particularly at the Broad or the Getty; and eating at any of the hole-in-the-walls in the San Gabriel Valley!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The last few years have been some of the richest years of learning and clinical support I’ve ever experienced. I’ve deepened my work with individual clients through weekly IFS Consultation, and expanded my couples/relationship work with trainings through the Relational Life Institute. I routinely attend an EMDR consultation group through Lagniappe EMDR and often drop in to the SoCal Institute of EFT’s monthly training & consultation calls. I’ve collaborated with many local therapists to learn (and teach) more about somatics, women’s issues, and building resilience for systemic stressors. Most recently, I joined a couples therapy peer consultation group to continue to build insight on poly and kink dynamics in relationships. I’ve also made many connections in the community that have led to rich conversations and meaningful consultation. I wouldn’t be the clinician I am today without everyone who has supported this work along the way.

Website: https://www.therapywithrachelg.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgrayczyk

Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/rachel-grayczyk-lcsw-94903938603