Rachel Bentley , LMFT

Rachel Bentley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a long history of working across clinical settings and populations. She earned a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in 2005 and obtained independent LMFT licensure in 2010, bringing training and experience in outpatient addiction services, residential programs for adults with serious mental illness, group homes, and school-based counseling.

Drawing on object relations and attachment theory, Rachel helps people trace how early caregiver relationships shape current thoughts, emotional reactions, and relationship patterns. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and play therapy, and she integrates these methods to help clients identify unhelpful thinking, develop new coping skills, and reshape interactions with others. Her work emphasizes empowerment and advocacy, guiding people to recognize existing strengths and build tools that support personal growth and meaningful change.

Rachel has worked extensively with at-risk children and adolescents as well as with adults and families in community mental health settings in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. An army spouse for more than 20 years, she has a particular commitment to military families and veterans. Outside of clinical work, Rachel stays actively involved in her children’s academic and sports activities.

Therapeutic approaches for online support and healing

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships with caregivers influence current emotional patterns and interpersonal dynamics. It helps people understand and shift long-standing patterns related to abandonment, trust, and intimacy so relationships feel more secure and connected. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) centers on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is useful for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and for developing practical coping strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes skills for managing intense emotions, reducing impulsivity, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for individuals struggling with strong emotional reactions or self-destructive patterns.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Licensed professionals and therapists can work with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, then tailor a mix of approaches that best supports progress and resilience.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people balancing work, family, or geographic constraints. Through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, clients can access consistent therapeutic support from licensed professionals without needing to travel. These options make it easier to fit therapy into daily life and to maintain momentum between sessions.