A Career Dedicated to Mental Health
Rachel is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois and New York, and holds the PsyPact credential allowing her to practice therapy in 41 additional states, including Tennessee.
She owns Hearthstone Psychology, a trauma-focused practice where she works with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She is also the Founder and President of Agave Center for Justice in Mental Health, a fully volunteer-run nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance equity and justice in the acquisition of mental health services and supports for vulnerable and traditionally underserved populations.
Education & Clinical Leadership
Following graduation from TKA, Rachel attended Union University, then transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she received her B.S. in Human Ecology in 2005.
Academic Journey
- The King’s Academy Class of 1999
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville B.S. in Human Ecology · 2005
- Richmont Graduate University M.A. in Professional Counseling · 2012
- Wheaton College Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology · 2016
After serving as the Clinical Training Director at Agave Studio for nine years, Rachel recently accepted the position of Program Director of the Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and Counseling Practice at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.
Clinical Practice & Scholarship
In her practice, Rachel employs ARC, EMDR, Clinical Hypnosis, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
She has served on the faculty of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, and Richmont Graduate University.
She was a Postdoctoral Fellow with Sinai Chicago and a Postdoctoral Intern with Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center in New York. In Knoxville, she completed internships with Ebenezer Counseling Services and the Knox County Sheriff Department.
A New Book on Healing
Rachel has a book under contract with Routledge Publishing, the leading academic publisher in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Surviving Purity Culture: Essays on Healing from Shame and Creating a New Sexual Story
Anticipated publication in late 2026 or early 2027Family, TKA & a Global Perspective
Rachel’s parents, sister, and brother-in-law continue to reside in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her sister, Amy Smith Kennedy (’03), is the Employee Experience Team Lead at Knoxville Utilities Board. She and her husband, Adam Kennedy, own and operate Refill Coffee Cart.
Rachel says that all in the family have leaned fully and joyfully into dog parenting and would be happy to share photos of Maya, Paisley, and Penny any time.
