Name:
Rachel Sykes
Title:
Therapist, Private Practice Owner
Business Name:
Rachel C. Sykes, LMHC
Website URL:
www.rachelcsykes.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/rachelcsykes
Where is she based?
Rachel is based in a hybrid model: she has an office in Boston’s Financial District one day per week and works from her home office in Pembroke, MA the rest of the week. This setup allows her to provide convenient in-person services to downtown clients while maintaining flexibility.
About Her Practice:
Rachel helps stressed professional women who feel undervalued at work and over-responsible at home regain their confidence and enthusiasm for life. After over 25 years in the investment field, she pursued her dream of becoming a therapist, creating a practice that aligns with her values and professional vision.
Definition of Success:
Success is maintaining a steady book of clients who truly benefit from her work, while preserving her passion and joy in her practice. She achieves this by prioritizing the quality of her client relationships over rapid growth.
Most Transformational Moment as an Entrepreneur:
Learning to turn down clients who weren’t a good fit—something she couldn’t do in prior agency jobs. This taught her to protect her energy and focus on the clients she can best serve.
Biggest Challenge in Business:
Facing judgment from other therapists for running her practice as a business rather than a charity. Rachel believes professional women should be fairly compensated for their expertise.
Handling Harder Days:
Rachel practices yoga, walks, dances, and spends time with friends. She reminds herself that difficult days are normal and temporary, and that compromising her values for faster growth would create work she doesn’t enjoy.
Impact of Boston Business Women Inner Circle:
Although a newer member, Rachel is optimistic about expanding her network, gaining referral sources, and learning more about positioning and marketing her business.
Most Proud Career Moment:
Turning down a stable job to pursue her own practice, despite financial vulnerability, and taking control of her career path.
About the Woman Behind the Business:
Rachel is a passionate advocate for women and an animal lover. She enjoys dancing, singing, reading, and traveling, especially to Ireland. She values family, friends, and is exploring non-profit board opportunities to help women and others at high risk of domestic or gender-based violence.
What Makes Her Stand Out:
Rachel works specifically with stressed professional women, providing professional, punctual, and compassionate care. She integrates humor therapeutically, offers clinical insights non-judgmentally, and provides flexible session options including in-person walk-and-talk therapy in downtown Boston and virtual appointments.
Where to Keep Up With Rachel: