Ground yourself in the vision
of a healed future.
Hi there! We're so glad you've stopped by. It can be a mission to find someone who truly gets it, and that's the short story on why we started Hold the Vision Therapy. After witnessing an industry need for better understanding of power dynamics in relationships, we decided to create a space where people can safely and effectively heal. Our ultimate passion is to help people not only heal from the past, but to also make long-term positive change for the future.
A little about us
Therapy is all about connection, both with yourself and your therapist. Personality, approach, shared life experiences and values – being fully aligned on these important factors builds trust and understanding. And to be honest, we're not for everybody (there's not a single human being on the planet who's for everybody; cheers to leaving the people pleaser era). We want you to come to therapy because you feel wildly comfortable around us – because you're ready to overcome what holds you back. We are for anyone who's ready for that.
We're not here to convince you into therapy, but we would love the opportunity to chat with you and see if we're a fit. Whether you work with us or we refer you to another practice we trust, we'll be happy to help you get where you need to be.
Meet the Founder
Dr. Rachel Miller, PhD, LMFT and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and Founder of Hold the Vision Therapy, PLLC.
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If you’re searching for a therapist who is quiet, reserved, does a lot of nodding, and asks “How does that make you feel?” I’m probably not the therapist for you. On the other hand if you’re wanting someone with a more direct approach who is focused on digging in with you to help identify and change unhelpful patterns, beliefs, and behaviors in your life and relationships, then I’m your person.
Relationships are my area of expertise. Whether you’re wanting to improve your relationship with yourself, your partner(s), your kids, extended family, or friends, I can help.
I have extensive experience with:
communication issues
intimacy concerns
infidelity
life transitions
Trauma and PTSD
conflict resolution and high conflict scenarios such as:
domestic violence
separation/divorce
co -parenting/blending families
anger management and emotional regulation
Prior to becoming a therapist I was an adult sex educator so I’m passionate about helping you navigate issues that get in the way of the sexual relationships you desire. If you’re wanting to improve your sex life know I'm poly and LGBTQIA+ affirmative, kink knowledgeable, a member of Kink & Poly Aware Chicago Therapists (KPACT) and a professional affiliate of Kink Aware Professionals through NCFS.
Therapy can support your personal growth journey too! If you’re wanting to:
increase self-awareness
develop greater emotional intelligence
improve your self-esteem
create a plan for your future
or just figure out how you might be the one standing in between you and the dream life you imagined
We should definitely chat!
In addition to my clinical self, I find most clients are curious about me personally as well. When I’m not seeing clients I can be found teaching graduate students at Adler University and Iona University, supervising student and associate licensed clinicians but most often you’ll find me hanging with my two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Stout & Woodford (a.k.a. Woods).
I’m that obnoxious dog mom whose pups have their own Instagram (feel free to follow them; they’re pretty cute). I’m an avid reader, which means I have lots of great book suggestions for both therapy (check out our resources page) and fun. I love to travel, especially to places with great beaches, fabulous food, and beautiful architecture. Lastly, I’m obsessed with tea and plants (my pandemic hobby).
The best part about therapy with me now days is that it happens from the comfort of your own home. Teletherapy is both convenient and effective. Some of the most impactful work I’ve done has been with clients I’ve never met IRL.
Ready to get started? Have more questions?
Our Philosophy
Hold the Vision Therapy affirms that Black Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, Black Trans Lives Matter, sex work is work, people are not illegal, abortion is healthcare, ableism exists, and health is not size-dependent. We advocate for intersectional justice, racial liberation, Landback, and Indigenous Sovereignty in everything we do.
Our therapists are trained to think systemically – meaning we examine how the systems we are each embedded in impact your life and relationships. We also recognize our own position of power in and out of the therapy space and examine how that, plus our personal dimensions of culture, impact you and the therapeutic relationship.
We acknowledge that we live in an imperialist, white supremacist, capitalist, patriarchal culture that harms us all yet provides power and privilege to those it was designed to elevate. The white women in our practice are committed to consistently doing the lifelong internal and external work of anti-racism and dismantling all oppressive systems.
Land Acknowledgement
Hold the Vision Therapy is located on the unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other tribes such as the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac, and Fox also called this area home. The area has long been a center for Native people to gather, trade, and maintain kinship ties.
Today, Chicago has one of the largest urban American Indian communities in the United States. Members of this community continue to contribute to the life of this city and to celebrate their heritage, practice traditions, and care for the land and waterways. We recognize it is not enough to just acknowledge the brutal colonization of this land and the genocide of Native people. We must also support local Native people and causes today. Visit Chicago’s American Indian Center's website here and follow Native and Indigenous creators on social media to learn more and find ways to support and contribute financially to the Native community. #LandBack #StopLine3
