We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel M. Abrman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel M., any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Keep on Going vs. Giving Up. Well, we have to evaluate and then again reevaluate our situation. Many times, we find ourselves going and going and just going yet not getting anywhere. A BIG part of my therapeutic approach is supporting my clients in being aware and observant in their decision making skills and how it effects them whether it is short term or long term. Many years ago, I had a unique dilemma myself and I had to revaluate on what decisions to make.

Something that’s been with me ever since, both personally and professionally, “If you have questions about a situation, it seems like you don’t have an answer. If you don’t have questions about that situation, you usually have your answer”. Either way, as humans, sometimes we just need to adjust our vulnerability and reevaluate whether to keep going or giving up.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Back to keep on going or giving up. When I think of my career, I go back to the multicultural world I was introduced to as a child, an adolescent, and a young adult. People tend to ask me where I am from and I usually don’t have a clear response. Born in Houston, moving to Slovakia as a child, and traveling back and forth most of my adolescent years from Europe to the US, then finally moving to Boston, MA for my undergraduate degree, and continuing my travel to Prague,CZ for my graduate program. 

I had the pleasure to see many ways of life and beyond grateful for that experience.

Speaking three languages, living a religious missionary life with my parents, and then seeing and knowing life differently due to my two very best friends in graduate school, it had provided me with the insight which allowed me to relate to my multicultural clients and empathize with them on an experiential level.
We all have a different story and embracing our differences can allow us to grow into the people we wish to become.


Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston, we have a problem! We have too many good spots to visit! My list would consist of coffee, food, and thrift stores. Firstly, we would start off with coffee at Catalina Coffee on Washington St. , do some thrifting at Goodwill in the neighborhood – Montrose and Heights, and then have a late lunch or great dinner at El Tiempo on Navigation Blvd. Oh, and if you love to meet people check out some Agora’s and Grand Prize for some fun and culture and the amazing Houston Museum of Fine Arts. So much to do in Houston. If you stay in your comfort zone, how will you grow? Cheers!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If there was only one person to whom I could dedicate this shoutout, that would be amazing. I am beyond grateful to my husband for the support he has shown me throughout the years, my family, and my wonderful mental health colleagues all the way from Prague through Seattle and back to Houston.

Instagram: SelfSpireTherapy

Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/rachel-m-abrman-houston-tx/413555

Image Credits
Maria Beatrix Abrman for the first single photo I certify I have the right to use the photo for our use.

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