Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael TenEyck.
Hi Rachael, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Syracuse University in 1997 and began my career working with adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric unit. Early professional experiences also included work in an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a nursing home rehabilitation center, allowing me to develop a strong clinical foundation across diverse populations and settings.
Approximately five years into my career, I achieved my long-term goal of becoming a school social worker. Over the next 23 years, I worked in elementary, middle, and high school environments, with the majority of my career dedicated to supporting adolescents in a therapeutic day treatment program. These students experienced significant mental health challenges that prevented them from functioning in traditional educational settings. This work profoundly shaped my understanding of complex emotional and behavioral needs and reinforced my passion for helping teens who often feel misunderstood or overlooked.
After both of my daughters left for college, I began a part-time private practice in Syracuse, New York, while continuing my work in the school system. I quickly discovered how meaningful it was to work with clients who were motivated, engaged, and ready to take an active role in their healing. I also valued the flexibility and autonomy that private practice provided.
As my practice evolved, I recognized that traditional talk therapy was not always sufficient—particularly for clients whose symptoms appeared rooted in unresolved trauma. Many remained stuck in recurring patterns and continued to feel triggered by past experiences. This realization led me to pursue specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Additionally, as I began working with more clients struggling with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, I expanded my clinical expertise through advanced training with the International OCD Foundation’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Integrating EMDR and ERP into my work has been deeply rewarding. I have witnessed meaningful and lasting progress in my clients’ lives, and their feedback consistently reflects increased insight, relief from symptoms, and renewed hope.
When my husband retired, we decided to pursue our shared dream of relocating to a warmer climate. After visiting and falling in love with the area, we chose Greenville, South Carolina. I found a welcoming therapy space and began growing my private practice in Greenville, while continuing to provide virtual services to my New York clients.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. When I first started my private practice, I was juggling two jobs, which made for a very full and sometimes exhausting schedule. While it was a lot, I was used to working at a fast pace and stayed focused on the fact that I doing something I always wanted to do.
After relocating to Greenville, there was another period of adjustment. It took time to find the right office space, grow the practice, and really settle into a new community. Managing insurance on my own can also be challenging, but accepting insurance has always been important to me so that therapy remains accessible and affordable for the people I work with.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Elevate Counseling is a private practice I started after more than 25 years working in mental health. My goal was to create a space where people feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard — a place where they don’t feel rushed or reduced to a diagnosis. I work with teens and adults navigating anxiety, OCD, trauma, depression, and major life transitions.
I’m especially known for my work with anxiety and OCD, using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), as well as trauma-focused approaches such as EMDR. While I rely on evidence-based therapies, my approach is always individualized. Over the years, I learned that talk therapy alone can only go so far, which inspired me to pursue additional training so I could offer more targeted and effective ways to help people heal and move forward.
What I’m most proud of is building a practice that feels warm, nonjudgmental, and accessible. I accept insurance and offer both in-person and virtual sessions because I truly believe mental health care should be within reach. Elevate Counseling is about helping people feel more grounded, confident, and capable of navigating life with clarity and resilience.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has played a big role in my life and business. I feel so fortunate to have found a beautiful, calming office space to rent in downtown Greenville, surrounded by supportive clinicians, and to have relocated to such a vibrant city with a warmer climate.
Pricing:
- $130.00 session for private pay
- sliding scale based on financial need
- Accept most major insurance plans
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevatecounselinggvl.com
