Fairfield Therapy
Strengths-Based, Neurodiversity-Affirming Comprehensive Evaluations
Neurodivergence
High-masking Autism and ADHD, including gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) individuals, and others who are often missed by traditional diagnostic testing.
OCD
OCD is frequently missed or mistaken for Autistic repetitive behaviors, ADHD coping strategies, anxiety, eating disorders, or perfectionism. I look at what the behavior does for the nervous system to find what's really driving it.
Complex Intersections
My evaluations bring to the surface how neurodivergence, Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), trauma, and eating disorders like ARFID interact when they show up together.
Rachel Z. Baumann,
M.A., S.Y.C., NCSP, LPC
Licensed Therapist &
Nationally Certified
School Psychologist
Fairfield, Connecticut
We often wish our feelings didn’t matter or pretend they don’t. This makes sense—emotions can be messy and even scary. However, research shows that when we deny our emotions, we increase our pain, leading to greater psychological suffering.
The ways we avoid pain—whether by revisiting old wounds, judging ourselves, comparing ourselves to others, or using distractions like substances—might bring short-term relief but often make life harder in the long run. Therapy can help.
I have more than 10 years of experience counseling individuals and families, with intensive training in cutting-edge, research-based treatments, including:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
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Prolonged Exposure (PE) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
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Habit Reversal Training (HRT)
Professional Affiliations
I am proud to be a member of the following organizations:
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Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society
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American Psychological Association
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Anxiety and Depression Association of America
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Association for Contextual Behavior Science
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Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
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National Association of School Psychologists
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Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society