Rachel Forbes

As a Korean-American transracial and transcultural adoptee, I have experienced both the gifts and burdens of understanding my identity, seeking a felt sense of belonging, discovering my authentic Self, and mourning significant, irreparable losses. While there have been challenges, there have also been extraordinary learning opportunities and revealed beauties and truths. I’ve also felt a deep gratitude for rediscovering my own empowerment and our incredible capacity to heal, both within ourselves and in community. Most significantly, I learned that healing does not mean that pain does not resurface, nor does it mean that life will henceforth move with infinite ease, even when we have brought repair to our deepest wounds. Instead, it teaches us to draw from the well of our inner resources to bring compassion and care to whatever may come forward.

As it so often goes, my journey inspired me to “pay it forward” to those who seek the same empowerment and self-compassion. I hope to give to others – to you – that which I have been privileged and fortunate to receive in this lifetime: inner healing, inner befriending, and self-empowerment.
Within my practice, I work to address anything that you feel is preventing you from living as your most authentic and self-compassionate Self. If you are carrying daily life stress, the loss of a loved one, challenges with adapting to a new life transition, deep and debilitating sadness, the burden of a traumatic experience, or even struggling to make sense of what you are feeling, I’m here to honor your reality – whatever that may be – so you can begin your healing process. With compassion and curiosity, my role is to help you nurture and strengthen that which encourages you to feel heard, liberated, and fulfilled.

In my work, I draw from a range of approaches, mostly from Internal Family Systems (IFS), with the additional integration of Polyvagal Theory, Somatics, Mindfulness, and Attachment-Based Therapy. My approach also incorporates a meditative and mind-body experience, as we get to know the feelings we carry in our bodies. While I work with an array of challenges, I specialize in attachment trauma and adoption, helping adoptees and adoptive families understand and care for the many layers that exist within the adoption experience.

I founded Root & Return Wellness upon the belief that we are all human – meaning that it is natural to feel a multitude of emotions that are both unique to the individual, as well as interconnected with our relationships with others. I believe the path to healing and growth begins with reconnecting to one’s self and the leadership already within you.

Individually, I offer individual therapy sessions, clinical consultation for mental health practitioners, educational trainings, and my professional perspective and experience in interviews, podcasts, and public panels, discussions, or forums.