Rachel McCormick

Biography

Dr. Rachael McCormick is a 2007 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

She went on to receive her master’s degree in Family Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University in 2010 and her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University in 2019.

Her professional experience includes working with children and adolescents in the schools, child protective services, and private practice.

She has an extensive work history with those struggling with addictions including prevention, inpatient, and outpatient counseling.

Dr. McCormick was formerly the COO of the Serenity Foundation, a non-profit substance use treatment foundation including multiple programs in prevention, detox, inpatient, outpatient, recovery support services and sober living.

She has received additional trainings and certifications in multiple trauma approaches and play therapy.

Her areas of interest and past research include integrating creativity, play therapy, and neurobiology in counseling with all clients of all ages.

Dr. McCormick has presented at multiple national conferences on her work using sandtray therapy with adults.

She specializes in supervising and training other counselors in this modality.

Although she has transitioned into higher education, Dr. McCormick will always consider herself a clinician at heart which is why she still maintains a small private practice in Abilene, TX.

She is passionate about supervising the next generation of counselors to foster their creativity and competence in clinical skills.

Degrees Earned

Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision: Regent University

M.A.- Master of Arts in Family Psychology: Hardin-Simmons University

B.B.S.- Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Psychology: Hardin-Simmons University

LPC- Licensed Professional Counselor: Texas

LCDC- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor: Texas

NCC- National Certified Counselor

RPT- Registered Play Therapist

Work Experience

Concordia University Irvine – Irvine California

Assistant Faculty, 2021 – Present

Private Practice – Abilene, TX

Counselor, 2019 – Present

Brian Hudspeth Counseling – Abilene, TX

Counselor, 2019 – 2021

Serenity House Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Prevention

Chief Operating Officer, 2019 – 2021

Inpatient Counselor, 2014 – 2019

Prevention Specialist, 2009 – 2012

Hardin-Simmons University – Abilene, TX

Clinical Supervisor, 2018 – 2020

Graduate Adjunct Professor, 2019 – 2020

Undergraduate Adjunct Professor, 2011 – 2020

Blue Swallow Counseling Innovations – Abilene, TX

Owner/Instructor, 2017 – Present

Regent University – Virginia Beach, VA

Teaching Assistant, 2018

Courses Taught

COUN 600 Personal Development Skills Process Groups/Townsend Institute Orientation

COUN 607 Social and Cultural Foundations

COUN 602 Theories of Counseling

COUN 603 Clinical Psychopathology and Diagnosis

COUN 633 Counseling Skills and Techniques

COUN 609 Theory and Practice of Assessment

COUN 611 Foundations of Crisis and Trauma Counseling

COUN 610 Townsend Model Theory and Application

COUN 613 Foundations of Addiction Counseling

COUN 640 Supervised Practicum

COUN 641 Supervised Internship I

COUN 642 Supervised Internship II

COUN 742 Counselor Education and Supervision Internship II

Professional Memberships

ACA, APT, TCA, ACES, TACES, ASGW, ACAC, ACC, TAPT

Specialized Practice Areas

Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, EMDR, Trauma, Addictions, Inpatient, Prevention, Children/Adolescents, Marriage/Family

Awards and Honors

Ph.D. Merit Award Scholarship, 2015 – 2019, Regent University

Family Psychology Fellowship, 2008 – 2009, Hardin-Simmons University

Publications

Journal for Creativity in Mental Health, 2020, Untapped Therapeutic Potential: Using Sandtray in Substance Use Treatment Groups

Presentations

Presented at ACES on Student Development

Interdisciplinary Missions Experiences, 2023, Concordia University Research and Assessment Day

Overview of the Townsend Model, 2023, Townsend Institute Residency, Concordia University

Separation: One Step Deeper, 2023, Townsend Institute Residency, Concordia University

From Loss To Meaning: Using Sandtray Therapy to Heal from Grief, 2023, American Counseling Association 2023 Conference and Expo

Adults Can Play Too: Using Sandtray Therapy to Treat Substance Use, 2022, American Counseling Association 2022 Conference and Expo

From Loss to Meaning: Using Sand Tray Groups to Heal from Grief, 2022, Association for Specialists in Group Work- Biennial Conference

Sandtray Group Work with Addictions and Trauma, 2020, Association for Specialists in Group Work- Biennial Conference

From Loss to Meaning: Using Sandtray Therapy to Heal from Grief, 2019, Victor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy- Biennial Conference

Guest Lecturer at Hardin-Simmons University, Physical Therapy Department, 2017-2019, Present on conflict resolution, anxiety, and navigating relational issues with patients.

Counseling and Human Development Department, 2019, Present on using sandtray therapy to treat addiction issues.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department, 2019, Present on using sandtray therapy to treat addiction issues.

Introduction to Sandtray, 2019, Adult Probation, Present on the benefits of addressing addiction issues through sandtray to probation counselors.

Guest Lecturer at West Virginia University, 2019, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department, Present on using sandtray therapy to treat addiction issues.

Sandtray and Substance Use: Untapped Therapeutic Potential, 2018, Association for Specialists in Group Work – Biennial Conference

Sandtray and Substance Use: Untapped Therapeutic Potential, 2018, Texas Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors Conference

Sandtray and Substance Use: Untapped Therapeutic Potential, 2018, Association for Creativity in Counseling Conference

Sandtray and Substance Use: Untapped Therapeutic Potential, 2017, Texas Counseling Association – Professional Growth Conference

Community Involvement

Volunteered for Hospice working with children who have recently lost a loved one, trained their workers in assisting children who are grieving.