Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Holistic Counseling That Heals the Root of Your Mental Health Struggle
Do you ever wonder what life would be like if you weren’t “stuck” in this mental health cycle?
You wake up without that constant undercurrent of dread. Unbothered by your unopened notifications, you slowly and intentionally get ready for the day. Fear and anxiety pop up from time to time, but you know how to handle them with truth and compassion.
You move through your day without rehearsing interactions, confidently taking up space because you know you belong. You rarely second-guess yourself, and your mind feels free and light. There’s room to laugh, cry, feel, and even rest on the couch without earning it. (Imagine that!)
The Painful Reality
But if we’re honest, that version of life feels a million miles away. Or maybe totally unattainable.
You show up late to work because you ran back and forth to make sure the stove is off, ten times exactly. After more than 30 seconds without a notification, you nervously unlock your phone, seeking some shred of comfort in the weather app or photos you’ve scrolled hundreds of times. You don’t know why you do it, you just HAVE to. You don’t remember life without it.
You’re exhausted, lonely, and feel trapped in a loop with no way out. What does peace even feel like anymore?
The Biggest Distinction in Christian Counseling
If you’ve ever worked up the courage to open up about mental health and left feeling more confused, alone, or ashamed, I am SO sorry. This breaks my heart and fuels my commitment to make sure you do not experience that in my office.
Well-intentioned people may advise you to “pray more,” or “be positive,” but they rarely realize how misunderstood and alone that makes you feel.
My office is a safe, judgment-free zone, where the REAL you (yes, you there, behind the mask) is fully LOVED, SEEN, HEARD, and KNOWN. You are a unique and valuable human, bearing God’s own image in your whole being.
Instead of slapping on a quick fix, I use a careful combination of clinical techniques and Biblical truth to open the hood gently and address the root. Together, we’ll tailor your treatment plan to your unique story, challenges, and goals.
“I happily refer women to Rachel, knowing that they will be met where they are and find a space to be fully themselves. I especially appreciate her heart and skill with clients experiencing OCD and the lesser-known ways it can manifest—for example, hiding behind religion and spirituality while the person is experiencing torment inside. I trust Rachel to be able to gently guide clients struggling with OCD and spiritual scrupulosity to the truth of the difference between their genuine faith, hope, and love, and what’s hidden behind fear and perfectionism.”
— Rebecca Gorman, LPC Associate
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness...[Jesus] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness'... For when I am weak, then I am strong." (1 Cor 11:30; 12:9-10).
Rachel Kuchem Woodward, LCSW
How OCD, Suffering, and Jesus Led Me to Christian Counseling
As I studied social work and psychology and walked through personal counseling, Isaiah 61 became my theme. God called me to be a signpost pointing others to Jesus, the One who “binds up the brokenhearted” and “proclaims liberty to the captives.” That calling shaped my ongoing studies on the intersection of Biblical truth and clinical mental health techniques.
I, too, cried hot tears, overwhelmed by anxiety, OCD, chronic health issues, and other deep, personal losses. Though I felt scared, often misunderstood, and sometimes a little “crazy,” my pastors and family sought to care for me, teaching me the value of safe, informed support in the midst of suffering.
In 2019, I launched Re-Viving Lives Counseling out of both my training and my ongoing healing journey. My healing is layered and continual, shaped by faithful care from pastors, mentors, trusted counselor, and my functional psychiatrist.
Every tool that’s brought me a new degree of healing and freedom, I now offer YOU, so your experience isn’t as lonely or confusing. As a counselor, it’s my greatest joy to embody safety as you come home to the truth and security that you are God’s Beloved, in whom He delights.
My ongoing journey with chronic health, OCD, counseling, and functional psychiatry led me to be passionate about helping the WHOLE person – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. My mission is to help RE-VIVE every part of YOUR life, even as Jesus is in the process of reviving mine.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me spending time with my wonderful husband, family, friends, or church community. I’m a thirty-something Fort Worth native who loves running, writing, dancing, outdoor adventures, and a square (or five) of dark chocolate!
Credentials & Training
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – State of Texas (2019)
3,000-hour internship at Metroplex Counseling and Wellness, a local Biblical Counseling Center (2015-2018), with some hours also obtained at Soul Care Christ Chapel Bible Church helping supervise lay counselors.
Master’s in Social Work (Mental Health Concentration) & Bachelor’s of Social Work – University of Texas Arlington (2012 & 2014)
BTTI Certified OCD Therapist – International OCD Foundation (2024)
Past certification as a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP)
Training in Polyvagal Theory and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
Trauma-informed, somatic-aware, and attachment-aware care
Ongoing education in Functional & Integrative Psychiatry for anxiety, OCD, depression, and ADHD
Member of the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
Frequent speaker in Christian spaces on OCD, anxiety, singleness, and faith-based mental health
“Those who look to Him are radiant: their faces are never covered with shame.” (Ps. 34:5)
Audrey Russell
Marketing & Administrative Assistant
If you reach out to my office, there’s a good chance you’ll speak with Audrey! She’s my right-hand gal and is passionate about holistic health and helping women find hope.
Audrey’s background in marketing and ministry brings a high level of excellence and creativity to our office. Her own journey through anxiety, despair, and Biblical counseling equips her with deep empathy for every person who walks through our door or calls our office.
Whether you need help scheduling, have questions, or want resources, Audrey is your girl. She makes sure every part of your experience reflects the same heart as your session: safety, compassion, and authenticity.
When Audrey’s not working, you’ll find her sipping tea and enjoying a Hallmark Christmas movie – yes, all year long!
A Quick Guide to Christian Counseling Services and Resources
Below are a few easy ways to get started on your journey to healing or to support someone you care about. Feel free to browse my services and FAQ page
Christian Counseling for OCD and Religious Scrupulosity
You feel stuck in your head, overanalyzing, replaying, chasing certainty. You may not even be aware that many of these thoughts control your life as unrecognized OCD compulsions. You try to “logic” your way out of the mental loop, but the thoughts won’t stop, and they’re ruining your life.
Using evidence-based treatment (like ERP and ACT) and gently weaving in spiritual tools when desired, I’ll help you build a healthier relationship with uncertainty – one that leads to more rest and freedom.
Christian Anxiety Counseling
The pressure, the tight chest, the relentless mental chatter. You’re always “on,” and that weight is running you into the ground. You’ve tried really hard to get it under control, breathe deep, or even pray more. But even after all that, you’re barely hanging on.
Let’s peel back the layers and uncover what’s actually going on in your nervous system, your mind, and your soul. Together we’ll chart out a clear, practical path to help you find true peace and long-term healing.
Trustworthy Resources for Pastors and Ministry Leaders
As a spiritual shepherd, you may or may not be aware that you serve people struggling with OCD, anxious spirals, or other “hidden” battles. Without a clear roadmap through these distinct mental health challenges, it’s easy to cause harm unintentionally.
Some leaders tiptoe, unsure of what to say. Others charge forward boldly, unaware of the negative impact. Either way, the result is often the same: people feel more confused, more stuck, and more alone.
I’m passionate about educating churches, pastors, and leaders about mental health to help you navigate these topics with wisdom and compassion. I offer speaking engagements, free educational meetings for ministry leaders and pastors, and trustworthy resources to equip you with all the tools you need to love your people well.
OCD Resource Coming in 2026:
Gap Filler: Captive To Captivated
This is the book I wish I’d had when I was in the thick of OCD. If you suffer from OCD compulsions OR if you’re helping someone battling OCD, this is the honest, practical guidebook you’ve been waiting for. Demystifying the more “hidden” forms of OCD, this book clearly defines OCD, teaches you how to navigate it holistically, and offers pastors, mentors, and supporters practical tools to help the sufferer in your care.
This powerful OCD resource will be released into the world in the summer of 2026. Join the email list below to be the first to find out when it’s available!
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