Who We Are

My Professional Journey

Rachel founded BrainWorks Therapy with the goal of supporting children and adolescents with their oral and written communication needs. Rachel believes in an individualized, whole-child approach, where collaboration with the family and other professionals is key to the child’s success!

Rachel’s passion for speech-language pathology began during her Bachelors in Psychology at McGill University. An internship working with inner city youth with reading challenges, as well as grant-funded research in neuro-developmental disabilities, made it clear that Speech-Language Pathology was the perfect marriage between her interests in the development of language and human behavior. While in graduate school at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, Rachel received an Advanced Certification in Reading Disorders, comprised of 30 extra credits above and beyond the traditional Masters program. An influential internship at the Autism Language Program at Children’s Hospital, Boston taught her how to pay attention to every detail with each client, and think hard about how people with Autism process information and language. After graduating in 2007, Rachel has enjoyed working with a variety of clients in public schools, early intervention and private practice. Through workshops and advanced trainings, Rachel has developed expertise in working with clients with Receptive-Expressive Language Challenges, Language-Learning Impairments, Social Communication Challenges, Executive Functioning Impairments and Dyslexia.

Passionate about what she does, and wanting to dig deeper to provide quality speech-language therapy, Rachel decided to begin her private practice. Rachel believes that when human connections are rich, and opportunities for learning are creative and meaningful, the client is compelled to learn, resulting in successful outcomes and renewed confidence.

Originally from the Boston area, Rachel spent a number of years in cities throughout the country, and recently settled in Jacksonville, FL. Rachel and her husband, Justin, have three young children, one who has special needs, and they know first-hand what it takes to be “right there” with your child at every turn. When she’s not busy with her family, Rachel spends her time sinking into a good historical fiction, cycling, teaching herself new recipes from the places she's traveled, and involving herself in her Jewish Community.

Education

• 2007 - Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA

• 2007 - Advanced Certificate in Reading Disorders, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA

• 2005 - Bachelor of Science in Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Credentials

• National Certification with ASHA, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association

• Florida State License #SA 17512

• New Jersey State License #41YS00885900

Specialized Training