Rachel Levitsky MSW, LCSW

I have been practicing social work in the public and private sector for over 20 years. I graduated with a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1994 and received my Masters of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. I am a certified mediator, divorce coach and child specialist.

I have had extensive experience in school social work, medical social work, adoption, and private practice. In the hospital setting I counseled women with post-partum depression, pregnancy related stressors, and pregnancy loss. I worked with physically and sexually abused children in the Emergency Room, and children and adults with chronic medical conditions. My most recent medical experience was with children with cancer at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. In that setting I provided therapy and support to children and their families enduring the trauma associated with a cancer diagnosis, and I provided bereavement counseling. 

For several years I was part of a large private practice where I provided therapy to children, individuals, and couples. I then realized that integrating mindfulness and hypnotherapy into my work helped me to empower my clients to navigate many of life's challenges. As I worked with many types of clients I discovered my interest in working with children, couples, and families around issues of family conflict and divorce. I then went on to create RL Therapy and Mediation so that I can focus on these issues. I feel advocating for children is essential which is why I am passionate about mediating parenting agreements. I view being a therapist, mediator, divorce coach and child specialist as an opportunity for me to help enable my clients to appreciate their own strengths and to achieve personal growth.

I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers.  I obtained my mediation certification at the Center for Conflict Resolution and I am a collaborative law fellow at the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois. I have been trained in hypnotherapy by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.