Rachael Frankford
MSW, RSW (she/her)
Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist, Certified Othmer Method Neurofeedback Therapist
Welcome!
My name is Rachael Frankford and I’m the Owner and Founder of New Pathways Therapy Centre, a collective of therapists located in the heart of Toronto. For more than 20 years, I’ve helped clients restore balance and calm to their lives through a combination of mindfulness and body-oriented therapies.
My practice is rooted in the philosophy that every person has the capacity to feel regulated and safe in their bodies and heal from past wounds when the right therapeutic approach is engaged. Guided by this principle, I offer a multifaceted approach that integrates trauma-informed practices, such as Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and EMDR, with neurofeedback (brain training) to help my clients access their natural healing potential. I am also passionate about the emerging field of psychedelic psychotherapies and helping people navigate transpersonal/spiritual experiences in their healing path.
“Every client is different and I take an individualized approach to help people process and cope with whatever obstacles life has thrown their way. ”
Specialties and Approach
Individuals who come to see me are often struggling with trauma, depression, stress, anxiety, chronic health conditions, cancer, head injuries, and ADHD. Every client is different and I take an individualized approach to help people process and cope with whatever obstacles life has thrown their way.
My passion for mindfulness and exploring the mind-body connection stems from a very personal place when I realized — through my own mental health challenges — that there had to be therapeutic approaches that did not rely solely on conventional medical models. The most influential experience I had in my own healing in early adulthood was studying Soto Zen Buddhism and the Zen arts in Japan. Before embarking on a career in social work, I lived in a Buddhist community in San Francisco where I studied meditation for three years. It was these early experiences that gave me an appreciation of mindfulness and a somatic way of knowing.
I am currently studying psychedelic therapies and completing certification with the California Institute for Integral Studies, MAPS - MDMA for PTSD, and Grof Legacy Training.
Treatment & Techniques
Trauma-Informed, Body-Oriented Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Neurofeedback - Levels 1 & 2
EMDR
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Safe and Sound Protocol (Polyvagal Informed Therapy)
Psychedelic Integration
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Attachment-based - Emotionally Focused Therapy
Though I spent 15 years working in a hospital setting, it was those early years of meditation that had the most profound impact on my practice and my approach to teaching mindfulness in an accessible way. To that end, one of my career highlights is developing the Mindfulness Training for Emotional Resilience (MTER) program which teaches mindfulness skills for emotion regulation.
I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Toronto and am a member in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
I provide training and supervision for therapists and am associated with the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, the Adler Institute and have taught for the University of Toronto, Departments of Continuing Studies and Social Work.
Outside of New Pathways, I enjoy quiet time for reflection and reading, spending time with my three teenage kids, connecting with nature and travelling. I also practice mindfulness and meditation from a Vipassana tradition to help me stay present and grounded in my everyday life.
Thank you for being here. I look forward to helping you manage life’s obstacles and supporting you on your personal journey towards healing and growth.
Harness the mind-body connection to create new pathways in your life.
At New Pathways Therapy Center, we believe therapy is a collaborative process. We don’t just sit back and listen. We look forward to supporting you on your journey towards healing, balance and growth.