Meet Rachel Dorneanu (Butler): Individual and Couples Psychotherapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Dorneanu (Butler) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance has changed so much over the past few years. I had started graduate school and was so focused on completing papers and projects with less time spent on my family, friends and self care. After trial and error in private practice as a therapist, I can now say I have a good balance! I’m practicing what I preach. I have solid boundaries of when I start and end my work day. I practice self care and find ways to unwind from my day. I spend time with my loved ones and try to not stress about perfectionistic expectations. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started in the mental health field by working at a therapeutic boarding school for teens in Montana. From there, I volunteered for Crisis Text Line and attended grad school for three years to become a therapist. I interned at a private practice for a year and then got hired on. I now work at two different group practices (Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling ; Heal ATL Counseling and Wellness) while I gain hours toward full licensure to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This has not been an easy journey but it is extremely rewarding. It takes long hours of studying, documentation for clients, and research to be competent and confident in the mental health field. Working with clients and watching them have their “a-ha” moments is a blast for me. When they realize their self worth doesn’t rely on their accomplishments. It makes my day! One lesson I’ve learned along the way is to prioritize self care. As a recovering perfectionist, I would strive to do everything and work myself to the bone. Then I started to feel stressed and see the symptoms of burnout. I knew I needed to change things up and started to make self care a part of my everyday routine.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d start them off with a trip to North Georgia to see the mountains and wineries to help them unwind. Then we’d walk the beltline in Atlanta and explore all the local businesses and unique restaurants. We would go see a show at the Fox Theater then go dancing so they can experience the nightlife. You also can’t miss the tourist spots like the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca Cola and the Martin Luther King Jr. Museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m extremely grateful for my husband and family supporting me through the years of grad school, unpaid internship, and growing a caseload. They’ve been so patient and encouraging as I’ve worked toward my dreams. I also have a really supportive cohort of fellow students from school. We helped each other with papers and projects and now we are referral sources for one another with clients, it’s such a blessing.

Website: https://www.rachelbutlercounseling.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel_butler_counseling/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-butler-dorneanu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelButlerCo1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelButlerCounseling
Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rachel-butler-counseling https://www.pinterest.com/RachelButlerCounseling

Image Credits
Photos by Heal ATL Counseling and Wellness, Shayda Nematollahi, and Rachel Dorneanu.