Rachael Frankford
MSW, RSW (she/her)
Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist, Certified Othmer Method Neurofeedback Therapist
Welcome!
My name is Rachael Frankford, and I’m the founder and clinical director of New Pathways Therapy Centre, a woman-led collective in the heart of Toronto offering integrative, body-based mental health care.
With over 20 years of experience, I support individuals through times of profound transition and transformation. My practice is rooted in the belief that healing is possible when we feel safe, connected, and supported in reclaiming the wisdom of our bodies. I work relationally and intuitively, drawing on both clinical training and contemplative experience to guide the process.
I’m especially passionate about working with people who are navigating big questions about identity, meaning, purpose, or the next chapter of life and those seeking a more authentic, embodied way of being in the world. My role is to accompany you on that journey with presence, skill, and care.
Whether you’re new to therapy or looking to go deeper, I’m here to help you explore what’s possible when we move beyond survival and toward healing, creativity, and connection.
“Every client is different and I take an individualized approach to help people process and cope with whatever obstacles life has thrown their way. ”
Specialties and Approach
I work with individuals navigating profound life transitions, whether through serious illness, divorce, grief, creative blocks, or a deeper call for change. Many of the people I support are leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives who are seeking clarity, alignment, and connection after periods of disorientation or emotional overwhelm.
My approach is integrative and depth-oriented, grounded in somatic therapy, mindfulness, and relational neuroscience. I draw on over 20 years of experience as a therapist, and my work is informed by training in a range of modalities, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, Polyvagal Theory, neurofeedback, and psychedelic integration therapy. While I’ve completed formal certifications, I continue to learn and evolve through mentorship, apprenticeship, and my own spiritual and contemplative practice.
My path in healing began in early adulthood when I lived in a Zen Buddhist community in San Francisco and later studied Soto Zen and traditional Zen arts in Japan. These experiences shaped a lifelong appreciation for embodied presence, intuitive knowing, and the power of silence and reflection.
Above all, I believe therapy can be a space for profound transformation, not just symptom relief, but a return to meaning, vitality, and inner truth. I aim to hold space for my clients to reconnect with their own wisdom and move forward with greater freedom, purpose, and authenticity.
Treatment & Techniques
Trauma-Informed, Body-Oriented Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Neurofeedback - Levels 1 & 2
EMDR
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Safe and Sound Protocol (Polyvagal Informed Therapy)
Psychedelic Integration
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Attachment-based - Emotionally Focused Therapy
Though I spent 15 years working in a hospital setting, it was my early meditation practice that most deeply shaped my approach to healing. These roots continue to guide how I teach mindfulness in a grounded, accessible way. One of my career highlights has been developing the Mindfulness Training for Emotional Resilience (MTER) program—designed to support emotion regulation and nervous system stabilization.
I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Toronto and am a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Outside of New Pathways, I value time for reflection, reading, travel, and being in nature. I’m a mother to three growing children—some now in college and others in high school—and am navigating life post-divorce with care and curiosity. As a woman in midlife, I understand the complex balancing act of supporting aging parents, raising a family, and running a business while tending to my own path of growth. I’ve come to rely on spiritual practice, mentorship, and community values as a compass—offering grounding and grace through life’s many transitions.
In addition to my therapy work, I offer mentorship for fellow clinicians who are walking a similar path—those navigating personal transformation or integrating somatic and spiritual dimensions into their practice.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to support others in meaningful and authentic ways.
Harness the mind-body connection to create new pathways in your life.
At New Pathways Therapy Center, we believe therapy is a collaborative process. We don’t just sit back and listen. We look forward to supporting you on your journey towards healing, balance and growth.