RACHAEL FRANKFORD PSYCHOTHERAPY
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My Story

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I have always been fascinated with the healing arts and hold a deep respect for traditions that support the development of intuition and embodied knowledge. My early studies in anthropology sparked an interest in how different cultures approach healing through the mind-body connection, with a particular draw to Zen and Buddhist meditation during my formative years. This passion laid the foundation for my path to becoming a registered social worker.

For many years, I was deeply committed to my work as a medical social worker in a hospital setting. However, working in an institutional environment came at a great cost to my own well-being and the well-being of my family. Despite a dedicated meditation and yoga practice, I struggled with burnout. Eventually, I made the decision to transition into private practice, seeking a more balanced life aligned with my values.

Private practice has allowed me to grow in ways that honor my beliefs about mental health and community. As a social worker, I believe that thriving happens in connection with others. This philosophy inspired me to create New Pathways, a community of practice where clinicians come together to support one another. Through this experience, I’ve come to appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit of pursuing one's vision and creating a business rooted in integrity and care.

Over the years, my therapeutic approach has evolved to focus on somatic psychotherapy, integrating modalities like EMDR, neurofeedback, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. I have come to understand that therapy can be a gateway to transformation—not simply a method to manage symptoms. This transformative work requires a deep belief in and commitment to the inner journey.

More than any technique, I believe that the heart of this work lies in the relational bond between client and practitioner. I’ve been fortunate to find the right people to support me on my own healing path, and I know how vital it is to resonate with and trust the person you choose to work with. Transformational work often takes us into the subconscious and invites us to listen to the body, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Like many of the clients I work with, I identify as an empath—someone with high sensitivity who feels deeply attuned to their environment. This form of neurodiversity comes with both gifts and challenges. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace this sensitivity as a strength, as long as I align my life with the needs of my nervous system. As a therapist, this capacity helps me attune to my clients and guide them in understanding how their own sensitivity can be a source of growth and creativity.

Spirituality has played a significant role in my own healing journey, and I welcome conversations about the spiritual dimensions of life in my practice. While I do not follow one particular tradition, I am inspired by the syncretic, ecology-based traditions emerging in our culture. I believe that ceremony and plant medicines have a role to play in the evolution of collective healing and can be thoughtfully integrated into the therapeutic process.

Thank you for taking the time to read a little about my journey. I feel honored to be doing this work and trust that the right people come together at the right time. If my approach resonates with you, please reach out. I love working with people who are ready to dig deep and do the work of transformation.



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Specialties and Approach:

Individuals who come to see me are often struggling with trauma, depression, stress, anxiety, chronic health conditions, cancer, head injuries, and ADHD. Every client is different and I take an individualized approach to help people process and cope with whatever obstacles life has thrown their way. 
My passion for mindfulness and exploring the mind-body connection stems from a very personal place when I realized — through my own mental health challenges — that there had to be therapeutic approaches that did not rely solely on conventional medical models. The most influential experience I had in my own healing in early adulthood was studying Soto Zen Buddhism and the Zen arts in Japan. Before embarking on a career in social work, I lived in a Buddhist community in San Francisco where I studied meditation for three years. It was these early experiences that gave me an appreciation of mindfulness and a somatic way of knowing.

My Professional Background:

Though I spent 15 years working in a hospital setting, it was those early years of meditation that had the most profound impact on my practice and my approach to teaching mindfulness in an accessible way. To that end, one of my career highlights is developing the Mindfulness Training for Emotional Resilience (MTER) program which teaches mindfulness skills for emotion regulation.
I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Toronto and am a member in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
I provide training and supervision for therapists and am associated with the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, the Adler Institute and have taught for the University of Toronto, Departments of Continuing Studies and Social Work.
Outside of New Pathways, I enjoy quiet time for reflection and reading, spending time with my three teenage kids, connecting with nature and travelling.   I also practice mindfulness and meditation from a Vipassana tradition to help me stay present and grounded in my everyday life. 
Thank you for being here. I look forward to helping you manage life’s obstacles and supporting you on your personal journey towards healing and growth.

Treatments and Techniques:

  • Trauma-Informed, Body-Oriented Psychotherapy 
  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Neurofeedback - Levels 1 & 2
  • EMDR
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy


  • Safe and Sound Protocol (Polyvagal Informed Therapy)
  • Psychedelic Integration
  • Internal Family Systems Therapy
  • Attachment-based - Emotionally Focused Therapy
Reach out if you would like to consider working together:​
Contact Me
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New Pathways Therapy Centre, 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 720, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2T9
​Tel:  647-699-8212
@2020 Rachael Frankford Counselling and Psychotherapy Services
  • Home
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