A woman with long brown hair, wearing a white blouse and ripped jeans, sitting on a blue armchair, smiling. She is in a room with a large green plant, a wooden door with glass panes, and a black planter holding a leafy green plant.

Hi, I’m Raechel!

THERAPIST IN MESA, AZ

You are carrying a lot. The weight of other people’s expectations. The weight of overanalyzing every situation. The weight of trying to do it all and then still questioning if you are a good mom.

You’re confused because you are and always have been a strong person… and on the outside it often looks like you are handling it just fine. But just because you carry it well, doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy.

Internally you often feel overwhelmed, anxious, always on edge, and you are desperately trying to grasp for certainty and control in uncertain situations.

You deserve a place where you can finally set down that load you’re carrying. A person to carry it with you. A grounding space where you can learn how to carry it in a way that feels sustainable, and even fulfilling.

I'm Raechel, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Mesa, AZ who works with women and moms who are ready to feel more grounded, confident, and connected to themselves.

A Little About Me…

I became a therapist because I noticed that I had a natural ability to help others feel understood and help them carry whatever has been weighing on them. I believe that there is power in being truly seen without judgement, and that when we learn to give ourselves compassion and understanding, only then can we move forward in becoming the best version of ourselves.

So much of what we struggle with doesn't happen because something is wrong with us. We develop these patterns out of survival. People-pleasing, perfectionism, anxiety, pushing ourselves too hard, and difficulty setting boundaries can all be ways we've learned to feel safe, connected, or worthy.

In therapy, I will help you understand those patterns without judgment and then figure out how to move forward in a way that feels aligned.

I'm warm, compassionate, and down-to-earth, but I also believe therapy should propel you toward your goals. I don't want you to spend years in therapy going in circles talking about what's wrong without getting anywhere. I want our work together to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and make meaningful changes in your everyday life.

Let's See If We're a Good Fit

My Approach to Therapy

My approach begins with understanding and collaboration. You know yourself and what feels aligned with your goals, and I know strategies to get you where you want to be.

My work is informed by approaches including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

I'm especially passionate about helping clients who are struggling with:

  • Anxiety

  • Worry or overthinking

  • Burnout and overwhelm

  • People-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries

  • Perfectionism

  • Major life transitions

  • Motherhood and the mental load

  • Pregnancy and postpartum adjustment

  • Relationship challenges

  • Past experiences or patterns that continue to affect you today

Maybe you have talked through your problems many times. You know what you want to do differently, you know what you want to believe about yourself, but you can’t seem to put it into practice.

EMDR helps you get to the root of these patterns so that you can move forward in a way that better aligns with the person you want to be, instead of just being the person that you’ve always had to be to survive.

For some clients, that might mean processing past abuse or a life-threatening experience. For others, it could be being bullied at school, carrying too much responsibility from a young age, feeling rejected by your family, or something someone has said to you that you just can’t seem to shake.

You didn’t get to choose what happened to you, but together we can help you process it in a way that helps propel you forward instead of holding you back.

EMDR

As a mom it can seem like you are always facing some sort of judgement. From strangers on the internet, from family members, from the random person at the grocery store, and especially from yourself.

Therapy with me is a space where you are safe to talk about the raw and real parts of motherhood without being judged. 

I understand that you can love your kids so much and still be annoyed and overstimulated.

I understand all the societal pressures and how it seems to be a game that we are set up to lose.

Together, let’s untangle all of the thoughts and emotions that are holding you back from the mom you want to be.

You support your family, and you deserve a space to be supported too.

Therapy For Moms

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A woman therapist in Mesa, AZ sitting on a beige chair with a laptop, smiling at the camera, in a room with wooden flooring, a wooden table, large white vases with pampas grass, and a candle.

What You Can Expect From Working With Me:

Therapy with me isn't about just talking about your problems.

It's about becoming more connected to who you are underneath the expectations, anxiety, guilt, and pressure.

We'll work toward helping you:

  • Understand yourself and your patterns more deeply

  • Feel less controlled by anxiety

  • Set boundaries without overwhelming guilt

  • Stop automatically putting everyone else's needs before your own

  • Develop greater confidence in your decisions

  • Process experiences that are keeping you stuck

  • Build a life that feels more aligned with your values

My goal is for you to eventually need therapy less because you'll have the tools, self-understanding, and confidence to navigate life differently.

book an appointment
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A woman therapist in Mesa, AZ with long brown hair smiling while holding a newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket.

On a More Personal Note

As an oldest daughter, mom of two toddlers, and recovering people-pleaser, I get it! I know how hard it can feel to keep your head above water sometimes with the demands of life and motherhood, all while taking care of your own needs. I am here to support you every step of the way!

Outside of the therapy room, I love spending time with my husband and two boys, going to the gym, playing card games or Mahjong, going to concerts, watching reality-competition shows, and trying new sourdough flavors.

MY BACKGROUND AND CREDENTIALS

Raechel Russo, MS, LMFT

Arizona License LMFT-16373, Oklahoma License LMFT-12024

TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATIONS

𑁍 EMDR Trained

𑁍 Scaling Up EMDR GAP Training and EMDR Intensives Training

𑁍 Mental Health First Aid Certified

𑁍 Completed Gottman Level 1 Training

𑁍 Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator

𑁍 Other additional trainings in modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)

MEMBERSHIPS

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

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Raechel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Align and Connect Therapy PLLC. She is passionate about helping people feel more connected to themselves and in their relationships. She has worked in a variety of settings, including community mental health and private practice. In addition to her clinical work, she is passionate about teaching and mental health awareness. She has held many teaching and training positions during her career including a role as an adjunct university instructor and a trainer/curriculum developer for a mental health awareness and advocacy training program. Overall, she is passionate about helping individuals and couples overcome anxiety, strengthen their relationships, build self-confidence, and navigate life transitions and challenges of motherhood.

Professional bio
A clock sitting next to a candle in front of a decorative vase.

Gossner, J., Aller, T. B., Russo, R., Clay, N., & Fauth, E. B. (2025). Mental health literacy training for employees in cooperative extension: a qualitative program evaluation. The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 20(1), 14-28.

Russo, R.B., Seedall, R.B., Aller, T.B. & Clark, J.K. (2024). #ThisIsWhatAnxietyFeelsLike: Twitter Users' Narratives About the Interpersonal Effects of Anxiety. Journal of Contemporary Family Therapy.

Russo, R.B., & Aller, T. B. (2021). Acceptance and commitment therapy. Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center website.

Russo, R.B., & Aller, T. B. (2021). Cognitive behavioral therapy. Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center website.

Russo, R.B., & Aller, T. B. (2021). Family therapy. Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center website.

Russo, R.B., & Aller, T. B. (2021). Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center website.

Russo, R.B. (2020). Coping with uncertainty. Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center website.

Selected Publications

  • I primarily use techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for individuals and Gottman Method for couples.

  • Our first session is about getting to know you and coming up with a plan on how to reach your goals. We will collaborate together on what techniques would best fit your needs and personal preferences!

  • I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Arizona and Oklahoma. I completed my EMDR training from a EMDRIA-approved program. I have specialized training in ACT, and have completed Gottman level one training.

Are you ready to get started?

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