Rachel Gladstone (she/her) is a licensed school counselor and educator. She is also a resident in counseling pursuing additional LPC licensure. Rachel provides educational consultation services to help families with academic planning and navigating school systems. She works with students and families to clarify their educational goals and set students up for success in the classroom. Her extensive knowledge of the Greater Richmond area public school system, as well as local and national private schools, enables her to help families make informed and confident decisions about their child’s school placement. Rachel assists with determining “best-fit” schools, taking into account the individual learning needs, social-emotional needs, interests, and potential college and career goals. She helps families and students navigate the application and decision-making process. Rachel works 1:1 with high school bound students, coaching them on developing interview skills and writing effective entrance essays.

Rachel offers counseling services for students, ages 7 through 18, on school-related issues such as anxiety, understanding self as a learner, and school avoidance. Rachel’s counseling approach is relational and centered around the belief that academic success is intricately related to emotional health. Additionally, Rachel provides individual therapy across the lifespan for a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, and challenging life transitions.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Humboldt State University. She earned her Master of Education from Long Island University and was a New York City Teaching Fellow from 2005 to 2007. Upon completion of her fellowship, she pursued her Master of Science in Counseling, with an emphasis in School Counseling, from San Francisco State University, where she received the Virginia Lee Block Award for Excellence in Counseling. Rachel earned her certificate in Holistic Health Counseling from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and The Center for Educational Outreach and Innovation at Teachers College, Columbia University. Rachel is a certified kids and adult yoga teacher and has extensive training in the practices of yoga therapy, mindfulness and meditation. 

Rachel has taught and counseled in California, China, New York City, and Virginia. She has worked in private, public and charter schools, as well as in private practice. Rachel helped develop and implement the Advanced College Academy, a program designed for high school students to earn their Associates Degree, while earning their high school diploma. Rachel participated for a number of years in the application and essay review process for Maggie L. Walker’s Governor’s School and Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School. Rachel has supported countless students gain access to necessary academic and therapeutic supports, and has successfully helped to place many young people in best-fit schools and programs locally and around the country.

Rachel lives in Richmond’s West End with her husband and two children. In her free time, she volunteers teaching kids yoga and enjoys spending time with family, hiking, biking, and traveling.