MOUNTAIN LAUREL MENTAL HEALTH LLC

Hi, I'm Rachael!
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has several years of experience in the field of mental health working in agencies, schools, group homes and private practices. Using my mental health background, lived experience and systemic lens, I meet you where you’re at to explore trauma, relationships, mood, body image, substance use and more. I offer empathy and humor, but I also provide the accountability needed for real growth. We’ll dive into your past to help make your present the best it can be.
Empathy and compassion are my strengths, and I utilize this, warmth, validation, and honesty in working with clients to help you create the change you've been longing for but maybe thought wasn't possible. My training has allowed me to view mental health concerns and life's struggles in a way that takes into consideration not only you as an individual, but the relationships within your life and how they both positively and negatively affect you, your mood, and your functioning.
I'm here to provide support, strategies, a calming presence and an empathetic ear to help facilitate meaningful change and show you that we're all doing the best that we can every day. Whether you're seeking therapy to process and learn to cope with daily stressors, painful life experiences or past trauma, healing from past DV/IPV relationships, suffering from depression, anxiety, body image and eating concerns, substance use, strained family relationships, or even a partnership where you both just can't seem to connect or see eye to eye like you used to - I'd love to help!
I will validate you and your experience while helping you pull meaning and lessons learned from past negative experiences (because otherwise, what did you go through all of that for?) I'm adept at helping my clients reframe difficult thoughts that can overtake your mind and impact your ability to have the happy, healthy life that you deserve. I can help clients recognize that our perceptions are our reality, but maybe at times we can benefit from shifting our perspectives to allow us to see beyond the confines that we, and others, have created for us.
For more detailed information about me, you can view my Psychology Today page!
My Client Focus & Scope of Practice
Individual Therapy
Choosing to begin therapy is a powerful step toward reclaiming your life, understanding your inner world, and building a foundation for lasting well-being. In our individual sessions, I provide a compassionate, confidential, and collaborative space tailored entirely to your unique journey. Life can throw challenges our way that leave us feeling overwhelmed or stuck, but you do not have to carry that weight alone. Together, we will explore the roots of your struggles, identify your inherent strengths, and develop practical, real-world tools to help you heal, grow, and thrive.
My practice focuses on helping individuals navigate a wide range of complex experiences, including addiction recovery, eating disorders, and mood and anxiety disorders. I also provide dedicated, trauma-informed support for intimate partner violence and domestic violence (IPV/DV) recovery, helping survivors safely rebuild their lives and autonomy. Whether you are dealing with chronic daily life stressors, major transitions, or relationship issues, our work together will create a roadmap for meaningful change.
Therapy with me goes beyond just managing symptoms; it is about equipping you with the life skills needed to create a fulfilling future. We will focus heavily on emotion regulation, learning how to understand and manage intense feelings so they no longer consume you. We will work on replacing unhelpful habits with healthy coping skills, while also exploring relationship dynamics to foster safe, healthy connections. By mastering clear communication and setting firm boundaries, you can transform how you relate to others and, most importantly, how you relate to yourself. Wherever you are on your journey, let’s work together to foster the clarity and peace you deserve.
Couples Therapy
Every relationship experiences seasons of strain, but reaching out for support is a profound statement that your partnership is worth fighting for. In our couples therapy sessions, I provide a safe, neutral, and collaborative environment where both partners can feel heard, respected, and understood. Whether you are trapped in cycles of repetitive arguments or feeling a quiet distance grow between you, therapy offers a dedicated space to pause, reflect, and rebuild. Together, we will work to identify the underlying dynamics impacting your bond and develop the practical tools needed to restore harmony and security in your relationship.
Our work together will focus heavily on mastering communication, conflict management, and resolution. Rather than avoiding disagreements, you will learn how to navigate differences productively, turning moments of tension into opportunities for deeper understanding. We will dive into the core pillars of a thriving partnership by rebuilding broken trust, addressing intimacy issues, and actively cultivating a deeper, more resilient connection. I also provide specialized guidance for couples navigating profound challenges, including overcoming the painful aftermath of infidelity or learning how to navigate grief and loss together without drifting apart.
A strong relationship is not one that is entirely free of adversity, but one that knows how to weather the storm as a team. Through our sessions, you will learn how to break down emotional walls, express your needs clearly, and foster a culture of mutual respect and vulnerability. Whether you are looking to heal from a major rupture or simply want to strengthen an already solid foundation, let’s work together to help you and your partner rediscover the joy, trust, and intimacy you both deserve.
New Clients and Scope of practice
To ensure the highest standard of care, it is essential that my clinical expertise aligns closely with your specific goals. My practice is dedicated to providing therapeutic services aimed at personal growth, healing, and relationship enhancement, which means certain specialized legal, forensic, and high-conflict situations fall outside my professional scope of practice. Specifically, while I provide trauma-informed individual therapy for survivors healing from past intimate partner violence, I do not provide couples therapy to partners where domestic violence is actively occurring, as safety must remain the absolute priority. Additionally, my role is strictly clinical and separate from the legal system; therefore, I do not perform comprehensive forensic evaluations, nor do I speak to or provide documentation regarding child custody, mental capacity, or legal competency determinations.
All potential clients begin with a comprehensive intake session, which allows us to discuss your goals, determine if your needs fall within my clinical scope, and evaluate if I am the right therapeutic fit for what you want to work on. If at any point during the intake process or our subsequent work it becomes clear that your needs require a different specialization, a higher level of care, or forensic expertise, I will ethically and professionally provide you with referrals to appropriate resources or specialists who can better serve you.
Accepted Insurances
I currently only accept CT Medicaid/Husky through my personal practice.
If you have private insurance, I accept Aetna, Anthem BCBS Connecticut, Carelon, Cigna & Optum through Alma. You can find me on Alma at Rachael Medina, LMFT | Therapist in CT | Alma
I also accept private pay clients and my rates are as follows:
Individual - $100/session
Couples/Families - $125/session
I utilize Simple Practice as my HIPAA-compliant EHR system and client portal for my Medicaid/Husky clients, and Alma for clients with accepted private insurance.
Contact Information and Business Address:
Phone: (860) 406-4894
Email: rachael@mountainlaurelmh.com
I offer limited in person session availability on Wednesdays at:
1224 Mill St,
Bldg B
East Berlin, CT 06023
*All other sessions are only offered via telehealth at this time.
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm
Friday: 10 am to 3 pm
Unfortunately, I currently do not provide later evening or weekend sessions.