Rachel Cortes
she/her

www.spaceforkapwa.com/rachel | [email protected] | 415-985-6071

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Title: Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Languages Spoken: English
Affiliations: Space for Kapwa
Approach: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Somatic Psychotherapy, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, Other (list additional approaches unlisted below)

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Hi, my name is Rachel Cortes! I use the pronouns she/her/hers. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) privileged to live and work on the traditional lands of the Ohlone people and the Coastal Miwoks. My parents immigrated to the United States from the Philippines in the 1980’s. Their immigration journey and
​story has very much shaped who I am today. As a daughter of Filipino immigrants ​

I have come to understand the nuances and struggles that come along with juggling conflicting cultural values. I am passionate about supporting others on issues related to acculturation and intergenerational trauma. I understand there may be stigma around mental health and therapy within different communities, and approach this with care and curiosity. My own intersections of identity have fueled a passion to honor and hold those across all intersections of identity.

I aspire to play a role in an individual’s healing journey by helping them explore the parts of themselves that desire change, connection and internal peace. I believe that each individual is the expert in their own healing journey, and I am a collaborator to help them uncover their own ways of healing. I strive to help others by creating a safe space full of warmth, and where one can feel empowered to find the courage to lean into their discomfort.

Work with me if:
-You come from an immigrant family
-You would like to explore your cultural identity
-You struggle with perfectionism, people pleasing or anxiety
-You struggle with self worth and boundaries
-You would like to explore coping strategies that are no longer working for you

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What does "mental health" mean to you? Why is it important for us as Filipinxs/Filipinx Americans to normalize discussions around wellness and mental health in our community?

Mental health is an exploration of one's emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being. To take it a step further, mental health also includes the exploration of these three pillars at a group, collective and societal level. I remember the first time I was struggling with a depressive episode and asked my mom if we could seek help, her response was "to pray." While I do believe faith and spirituality can have an important role in healing, her answer left me feeling confused and dismissed. Years later, I am able to see her response as fear. The fear of not knowing how to help her struggling daughter, and the fear of how it might be viewed by others. In my family, the automatic solution for any emotional problem is to practice gratitude and push-through. One beautiful thing about Filipino culture is the emphasis on community. While my family was always preaching that family and community comes first, I would often wonder why I couldn't be open with my family about my emotional struggles. I think openness and vulnerability at a group level could be so incredibly healing. My story is not unique. I have heard versions of this in others' individual experiences. In my life, I have found healing through connecting with others and learning that I am not alone.