Rachel Kurtz
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Welcome! I am Rachel Kurtz, a licensed clinical social worker in the Mahomet/Champaign- Urbana area. I specialize in helping children, adolescents, and women of all ages to identify and achieve the mental-health goals they desire. If you have experienced grief or loss, divorce, trauma, self-harm, depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties, you will find open, qualified, and reliable support in processing these issues in my practice.
I hold a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois (2010). In addition, I have professional training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy as well as other treatment modalities. By incorporating different modalities together, I am able to fit the specific needs of my clients.
After ten years of empowering individual and families in several different settings, I founded my own practice in 2017. This opportunity has allowed me to implement my vision to cater to the needs of the local community. I am passionate about being an active member of the community where I live and work. Kurtz Counseling has given me the opportunity to show my appreciation by giving back to my community in Champaign County.
Emily Stratton
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Hello! My name is Emily Stratton. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a School Social Worker working in Champaign County. Since obtaining my Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois in 2018, I have worked with children and adolescents in the school setting teaching social and emotional skills and providing mental health crisis response.
With Kurtz Counseling, I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and women who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, and stress due to relationships, work, life circumstances, parenting etc. I also work with women who are experiencing infertility. My clients and I work together to create goals for their growth and treatment. I have experience using treatment modalities that include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Treatment, and Motivational Interviewing.
During our sessions, you will find non-judgmental, individualized care that is centered around you and your goals for your time in therapy. It is important to me to create a welcoming space where you feel safe to be vulnerable
Children relate to the world around them through play. Because of this, I incorporate art therapy, music therapy and directive and non-directive play therapy during counseling sessions. I specialize in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and use this model while supporting children who have been exposed to abuse, divorce and/or grief. Often, children also suffer from anxiety and depression; therefore, I educate them on implementing coping skills in their daily life.
If you are a parent of an adolescent, you know that this period of life is difficult and overwhelming for them as well as yourself. While working with your adolescent, I strive to build a relationship based upon trust as they move through this phase of their life. I specialize in working with teens who struggle with anxiety, depression, divorce, grief, self-harming behaviors and trauma. We work on building coping skills, resolving conflict with peers and family members while validating that their emotions are important.
Beginning therapy as an adult woman, can be unnerving. There are many other things that may be more useful of your time as a wife, mother, student, significant other, employee, etc. I believe it is crucial to unpack the burdens you have been carrying, in order to move forward. I treat women who suffer from anxiety, depression, relationship issues, divorce, trauma or grief. I encourage you to take the next step in helping yourself so you are able to help others.
When you come to your first session, it is important to bring the paperwork that has been emailed to you in our welcome email. We can go over these forms together, in case you have any further questions. The first session can cause some anxious feelings, so remember that it is a time for us to connect and build rapport with one another.
If your child is attending therapy, the first session is considered a parent meeting. This meeting is to ask questions about your child’s history, discipline, home environment, school, friends, etc. I also like to ask questions about the parents’ goals for therapy and any other relevant information you would like to provide me with.
