attuned
compassionate
grounded
About Rachel Mills-Brantley
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Going inward requires vulnerability, courage, and patience. I would be honored to walk alongside you on this journey.
My roots as a social worker began in childhood, volunteering alongside my mom in our community. At first, it was about the joy of connecting with others and making a meaningful impact. Over time, that feeling deepened into a commitment to justice. As I became more aware of the world around me, I began to see the disparities in access, opportunity, and care that shape people’s lives - and the ways some communities are supported while others are not only left to struggle but are disproportionately burdened by systemic barriers that restrict opportunity and access. That awareness continues to guide both my personal values and my professional work.
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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, including more than a decade of clinical practice in North Carolina. Since 2005, my work has spanned early childhood trauma prevention and treatment, crisis counseling in collaboration with law enforcement, school social work and school-based mental health, parenting support, and educator training. I have also co-developed and implemented a mindfulness-based social-emotional learning program for secondary students.
My work is grounded in a deep respect for the complexity and nuance of human experience, and in the belief that healing happens in the presence of safety, compassion, and a sense of belonging.
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Over time, my work has come to focus on alleviating suffering through relational, attuned care that honors each person’s lived experience. I believe that people carry an innate capacity for healing, wisdom, and growth - especially when met with curiosity and compassion. I value slowing down, listening deeply, and honoring the vulnerability that comes with looking inward. It is important to me to meet each person with warmth, humility, and authenticity.
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I hold a lifelong commitment to fostering a just and compassionate world. I believe that alleviating suffering is both an individual and collective responsibility, and that a sense of belonging - within ourselves and in connection with others - is essential for healing. In my work, I support people in nurturing the wisdom, courage, and compassion that make meaningful change possible.
Credentials and Training
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I hold a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina @ Chapel Hill (Graduated 2005) and have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina since 2011. My training includes Brainspotting, EMDR, mindfulness-based and compassion-focused approaches, and attachment-informed therapy. I am committed to ongoing learning and integrating current research into my work.
My Therapeutic Approach
I offer a compassionate, grounded space for healing and growth. My approach is rooted in safety, presence, and deep respect for the wisdom that already lives within you, supporting you in bravely meeting yourself with curiosity and compassion.
My therapy approach is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and integrative. I tailor our work to your unique strengths and needs, drawing from approaches such as Brainspotting, EMDR, mindfulness, compassion-focused practices, and psychodynamic therapy to support meaningful healing and growth.
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In our work together, we explore how early relationships and emotional patterns may continue to shape your present experience. At times, this may involve gently making connections between past and present to deepen insight and support healing. At other times, we focus on building resources and supporting your nervous system in finding more steadiness in the here and now.
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I believe deeply in the healing power of a safe, authentic therapeutic relationship. Being truly seen, heard, and met with compassion can be profoundly transformative and often creates the foundation for lasting change. I strive to create a collaborative space where you set the pace, and where your comfort and readiness guide our work together.
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In our work, I bring warmth, attunement, curiosity, and a nonjudgmental presence. My intention is to offer a space where you can slow down, reflect, and explore your inner world with honesty and self-compassion. Together, we support you in showing up more fully and authentically in your life, relationships, and work.
"It is in the process of being seen and heard that we begin to heal."
- Gabor Maté