Break The Frame Therapy

Break The Frame Therapy
Name of Primary Practitioner
Rachael Stern
Business Excerpt
I provide affirming therapy for adults and relationships navigating polyamory, consensual non-monogamy (CNM), relationship anarchy, and other nontraditional relationship structures. My approach is grounded in neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and attachment-focused care.

I specialize in working with individuals, couples, and polycules around communication, jealousy, trust and repair, boundaries, attachment wounds, relationship transitions, identity exploration, and navigating complex relational dynamics. I also have extensive experience supporting autistic, ADHD, and PDA adults; LGBTQIA+ individuals; people recovering from eating disorders; those living with chronic illness and disability; and individuals healing from trauma and dissociation.

I offer therapy for individuals, couples, multiple-partner relationships, and chosen families. I welcome clients of all genders, sexual orientations, relationship structures, and family configurations.

Business Description

I am a psychotherapist, educator, and consultant specializing in neurodivergence, relationships, trauma, and identity. I provide affirming therapy for adults, couples, polycules, and chosen families seeking greater authenticity, connection, and self-understanding.

My practice is particularly focused on supporting autistic, ADHD, and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) individuals, including those who have gone undiagnosed or misunderstood for much of their lives. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling exhausted from masking, struggling with burnout, navigating relationship challenges, or trying to make sense of experiences that traditional mental health frameworks have not adequately explained.

I work extensively with people in consensually non-monogamous relationships, including polyamorous individuals, couples opening their relationships, established polycules, relationship anarchists, and those exploring alternative relationship structures. Common areas of focus include attachment and trust, jealousy and insecurity, communication, boundaries, rupture and repair, relationship transitions, differing needs within relationships, and creating sustainable relational agreements that honor the autonomy and humanity of everyone involved.

In addition to relationship work, I specialize in trauma, complex PTSD, dissociation, eating disorders, body image concerns, chronic illness, disability, LGBTQIA+ identity development, and life transitions. My approach is relational, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and grounded in the belief that many forms of distress make sense when viewed within the context of a person's nervous system, relationships, and environment.

I work with adults age 18 and older and welcome clients of all genders, sexual orientations, relationship structures, family configurations, cultural backgrounds, and neurotypes. I have particular expertise supporting queer and transgender clients, helping professionals, therapists, advocates, and individuals who have spent much of their lives caring for others while neglecting their own needs.

My goal is not to help clients fit into systems that were never designed for them, but to support them in building lives, relationships, and communities that align with who they truly are.

I am trained and/or certified in a wide variety of modalities and happy to talk more!

Gender of Practitioner
Female
Education/Training/Certifications
AANE Certified, PDA North America Level 2 certified, EMDR, IFS, Somatic Experiencing, PDA Safe Circle, KAP and more
Business Website Address
Business Phone Number
(301) 453-5077
Business Contact Email
info@breaktheframetherapy.com
Business Address
All Telehealth. Licensed in DC, VA and MD
Country
USA
State
Maryland
ZIP Code
20910
Internet Based Business
Yes, Both Remote and Brick and Mortar
Do You Accept Insurance?
No
Tell us about the payment options you accept and any additional insurance details.
I am an out of network provider.
Poly Awareness Level
Knowledgeable
Kink Awareness Level
Knowledgeable
Swinger (Lifestyle) Awareness Level
Knowledgeable
  • Break The Frame Therapy

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