Rachel Fraade, LCSW (she/her/hers)
Therapist

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you’re balancing academic demands, relationships, and the process of figuring out who you are becoming. My goal is to offer a steady, supportive space where you can talk openly, reflect on what you’re experiencing, and develop tools that help you navigate this stage of life with greater clarity and confidence.

Through Amira the Healing Space, I provide counseling services to SUNY Oneonta students who may be navigating stress, anxiety, identity development, relationship challenges, or major life transitions. College is a time of growth and exploration, but it can also bring uncertainty and pressure. Therapy can be a place to slow down, process what you’re experiencing, and build skills that support emotional wellbeing.

Students often seek support with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Academic stress and burnout
• Identity development and self-exploration
• Relationship and family challenges
• Life transitions and uncertainty about the future
• Emotional regulation and coping with stress

I am especially drawn to working with young adults who are exploring their identity, values, and direction in life. Many students come to therapy while navigating independence, shifting relationships, and questions about who they want to become. My work focuses on helping you better understand your experiences while developing practical strategies that support growth and stability.

I was born in New Jersey and raised in Connecticut in a family deeply rooted in volunteerism, community involvement, and social responsibility. My grandmother, who came to the United States as a refugee and later pursued a career in social work, was an early influence in shaping my commitment to helping others and understanding the importance of community care.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Duke University and my Master of Social Work from the University of Chicago. Early in my career, I worked as a clinical case manager in a housing program for survivors of domestic violence, an experience that continues to inform my understanding of resilience and the systemic barriers many individuals face when seeking support.

My professional work has included outpatient community mental health settings serving vulnerable populations, including unhoused young adults and formerly incarcerated adults. These experiences shaped my commitment to providing thoughtful, respectful care to individuals from many different backgrounds and life circumstances.

My clinical approach is relational, trauma-informed, and client-centered. I integrate evidence-based approaches such as:

• Motivational Interviewing
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) coping strategies
• EMDR-informed trauma work

I believe therapy should feel both reflective and practical. Together, we explore patterns, understand how past experiences shape current responses, and develop skills that support healthier ways of navigating stress and relationships.

Clients often describe me as supportive, thoughtful, and steady. I aim to create a consistent, nonjudgmental environment where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts and experiences. Many individuals come to therapy feeling alone in what they are facing, and I believe that feeling seen and understood can be a powerful part of the healing process.

Outside of therapy, I enjoy knitting, hiking, and camping. I find grounding in spending time outdoors and engaging in slow, intentional activities that help bring balance to daily life.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, navigating a period of change, or looking for a supportive space to talk things through, therapy can offer meaningful support during your college years.

Schedule with me here:
AmiraTheHealingSpace.as.me