ABOUT
Dr. Rachel Copeland
ABOUT
Dr. Rachel Copeland
Hi. It's nice to meet you!
I am a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. The key to successful therapy is creating a warm, empathic, and sincere connection with your counselor. I believe that the relationship between counselor and client is the most important part of therapy, and I work to create a safe and comfortable environment where you can explore your most important needs.
I practice from attachment and person-centered perspectives, focusing on your current issues in context of your life experiences, relationships, and future goals. I am also trained in EMDR and emotionally focused techniques to treat trauma and identify stuck spots that prevent you from healing.
I am experienced in working with couples who are dealing with conflict and infidelity as well as families who are struggling with relationships, behavioral problems, and conflict. When working with individuals, I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and attachment issues.
Biography
Dr. Rachel Copeland is a psychotherapist in private practice. She completed her PhD at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work in May of 2015. In her career Dr. Copeland has more than 20 years of experience as a clinical social worker. She specialized in treating a variety of issues including trauma, attachment, anxiety, and conflict in marriages and families.
Dr. Copeland began her career in Birmingham, Alabama working with children and adolescents in the foster care system. After accepting a position at the Prescott House Child Advocacy Center, she worked in a dual role as a counselor and a forensic interviewer. She began specializing in therapy with survivors of trauma and earned a credential as a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor.
2007
Dr. Copeland opened a private practice and expanded her focus from children and families to include adults and couples. She began to concentrate her practice on treating anxiety, trauma, and attachment-related disorders. During this time, Dr. Copeland worked with a local non-profit to help develop attachment-based programming to treat families and individuals impacted by trauma and struggling with relationships.
2010
Dr. Copeland moved to New York City to pursue her PhD at New York University. While at NYU she taught clinical practice and diagnosing courses as an adjunct instructor. She also worked on a research project based at Sloan Kettering Hospital where she provided therapy for women with cancer. For her dissertation, Dr. Copeland examined the role of support as a protective factor for adolescent mothers.
2014
Dr. Copeland returned to her roots in child forensic interviewing when she accepted a position as the Director of Forensic and Clinical Services at the Manhattan Child Advocacy Center. In that role she trained and supervised several interviewers and therapists while working closely with the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
After earning her PhD, Dr. Copeland returned to Birmingham to take a position as an assistant professor in a social work program at Samford University. During her time on faculty she maintained a small case load of clients in her private practice.
2020
Dr. Copeland moved to full time private practice where she sees individual and couple clients. Though the practice is her primary career focus, she continues to teach as an instructor in the University of Alabama’s social work doctoral program and lead trainings for practitioners in the field.
DEGREES
Ph.D., Social Work, New York University
M.S.W, Social Work, University of Alabama
B.A., Psychology, Wheaton College
CREDENTIALS
PhD in Social Work
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist
Trained in administering and scoring the Adult Attachment Interview
Trained in EMDR; Trained in Internal Family Systems
Completed the Gottman Level 2 training
TBRI® Practitioner
Trained in Theraplay®
Certified Prepare/Enrich
Certified MBTI