FREE Therapy Talk #2: Facing Existential Anxiety and Grief
October 4, 2025 •
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm
1137 N. Sherman Ave., Under the Willow Tree
Rachel Niesen
Rachel believes that every human being is an important part of the web of life. Rachel recognizes that during the lifespan various experiences (inside of us, outside of us, between us) can disrupt the felt sense of our inherent value and belonging to this web, leading to suffering and disconnection. Rachel works collaboratively with clients in exploring their internal landscape with compassion and curiosity, observing and building spaciousness around stuck patterns and fear-based behaviors, and tending to emotional wounds.
Rachel has experience working with depression, anxiety, BPD, trauma, addiction, anger, impulsivity, grief, life transitions, non-monogamy and non-traditional family structures. Rachel identifies as queer and enjoys working with other LGBTQ+ identified folks.
Rachel’s approach to therapy draws from a variety of approaches and modalities including IFS (Rachel is Level 1 trained), EMDR (Rachel is level 1 trained), mindfulness, focusing, CBT, DBT and harm reduction psychotherapy for substance use disorders.
Description
We are living through times of immense existential anxiety and grief. Threats such as the climate crisis, genocide, and the political scapegoating of trans people and immigrants are far too big to face on our own. This reality tends to bring up questions, observations, and sometimes concerns about how we relate to “the collective” and being a part of something bigger than ourselves. This talk will encourage nonjudgmental, curious and kind exploration of your patterns of turning towards or avoidance of turning towards this moment of existential anxiety and will provide practical guidance and strategies for finding more self-compassion, courage, connectedness and confidence in working with these patterns.