Rachel Menger, M.A.

Rachel Menger, M.A., LMHC, has been a member of Tampa Bay Psychology Associates since 2019. Appointed to Clinic Coordinator in 2023, Rachel has built a local reputation for her proficiency in resolution-focused work with severe and complex post-traumatic stress injuries and disorders. Rachel applies an intuitive, root-seeking approach to the treatment of trauma-based reactions, symptoms, and conditions. Rachel is a practitioner of EMDR therapy, a science-based non-invasive form of trauma-resolution therapy that helps clients overcome the long-term barriers to functioning and adjusting that are caused by exposure to negative events over their life course. Rachel operates confidently from the perspective that the impact of past experiences on quality of life can always be lessened, whether these events were “big” or “small,” occurred quite recently, or long ago in childhood. Blending modern psychoanalytic and attachment-based clinical standpoints, delivered with a direct and candid guiding approach, Rachel supports her clients as they work to confront and balance their traumatic experiences, allowing them to reclaim their personal power and re-engage in their unique pursuit of happiness.

Beyond her primary focus in complex trauma, Rachel is sought out by adult clients seeking tactical, practical approaches to boundary and communication issues in their relationships or as they navigate life changes. Subset areas of focus for Rachel include the support during the healthy navigation of divorce/custody and coparenting situations, and work with those recovering from all forms of sexual/physical/emotional/mental abuse, including religious/cult and indoctrination traumas. Clients who seek a direct, sometimes out-of-the-box, and immediately impactful approach to treatment will find a great fit with Rachel. She welcomes to therapy all persons who are looking to do the hard but integral work of taking on the responsibility of resolving the unhelpful patterns that exist in their relationships and decision-making processes. Rachel is proud to provide a safe space for members of the LGBTQA+ community, providing affirming care to those seeking support around issues related to personal identity and sexuality.

Rachel is originally from Rockland County, New York, and began her forensic career in Manhattan as part of an elite psychiatric research team working with high-profile homicide cases. She fell in love with the forensic side of the world as part of the mental health team at New York City's infamous Rikers Island Jail, before obtaining her Masters in Forensic Psychology at the University of Denver’s prestigious Graduate School of Professional Psychology. Remaining out west after her degree, Rachel worked crisis and case management within the county jails of Denver, residential community corrections services, Denver Adult Probation, and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. A lifelong desire to live near the beach brought Rachel and her family to Tampa in 2019, at which time she transitioned from the correctional setting to private practice with Tampa Bay Psychology Associates. In addition to counseling, Rachel thoroughly enjoys her work on the training side of Tampa Bay Psychology Associates, where she and the team develop and impart tactical, reality-based mental health trainings for law enforcement, the fire service, the EMS community, and beyond.