About Me
Rachel Zar, PhD, LMFT, CST, (she/her/hers) is a couple and family therapist and an AASECT-certified sex therapist. She is currently a clinician and clinical supervisor at Avid Intimacy in Chicago.
She knows that sex and relationships can be among the most difficult topics to talk about, and she strives to create a safe, non-judgmental place for these intimate and essential conversations. While all sexual or relational concerns are welcome in Rachel’s office, her primary focus is working with those experiencing sexual functioning issues including painful sex (vulvodynia, vaginismus, etc.), difficulty with or inability to orgasm, or low or diminished libido. She also helps clients navigate dating distress or forming and maintaining either traditional or non-traditional relationships. For clients working on general anxiety, major life transitions, or other relational issues, she offers a sex-positive and sex-inclusive approach. She is trauma trained and informed, and she is an LGBTQ- and kink- affirmative clinician.
Her integrative approach is both warm and direct; it’s both creative and based in current therapeutic and medical research. She strongly believes that the most progress comes from a good client-therapist relationship, so her style is non-judgmental and collaborative, meeting clients where they are and working with them to access their unique strengths and empower them to reach their goals.
Education
PhD in Clinical Sexology,
Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, 2023
Certificate in Sexual Health, Sex Therapy & Sex Education,
University of Michigan, 2019
Master of Science, Marriage & Family Therapy,
Northwestern University, 2016
Bachelor of Arts, English & Media Studies
Tufts University, 2009
Services Offered
Individual Therapy is beneficial for those looking to explore their personal relationship or dating patterns, those who are struggling within a current relationship, or those who are in need of support while moving through major life transitions. Therapy with a sex-positive and sex-inclusive lens means there are fewer limits to the scope of what can be discussed.
Couples Therapy is open to any pair that strives to support each other through the therapeutic process. Whether you’re looking to light a spark in your longterm relationship, build a foundation for your future together, move as a team through a transition, or improve your ability to successfully communicate with each other, couples therapy may be the key.
Sex Therapy is for those who desire a safe space to form a deeper understanding of their sexual selves. Both couples and individuals who struggle with sexual performance, difficulty with pleasure or orgasm, chronic pain, desire differences, or incorporating kink or non-monogamy into a relationship can benefit from this work.
Sex Education is available for those who want to expand their sexual knowledge, including undergraduate students, graduate students, medical students, therapy practices, and other adult groups. Rachel has spoken on topics for clinicians and non-clinicians including: general sex education for adults, female sexual functioning, treating chronic genito-pelvic pain, treating low libido & anorgasmia, sex and cancer, kink 101 & being a kink-affirming clinician.
*Clinical Supervision for sex therapists seeking AASECT certification and pre-licensed MFTs is now available! Rachel is an AASECT Supervisor-in-Training and on the path toward AAMFT-Approved Supervisor status, which means she’s able to offer discounted rates to new supervisees. Inquire on the “Contact” page to see if she’d be a good fit for you.
Publications & Media
Rachel has been interviewed for magazines, websites, and podcasts including:
Rachel worked for many years as a writer and magazine editor before starting her career as a therapist, and her work continues to be published frequently, including in a bimonthly “Sex & Love” column in Prevention Magazine. This is a selection of her writing:
“How to Talk About Gender Identity (and What Not to Ask),” Prevention
“Five Questions Sex Therapists Are Asked All the Time,” Scarlet Society
“When to Consider Couples Therapy,” Prevention
“Let’s Fight the STI Stigma,” Spark Chicago Therapy
“Why Satisfying Sex Doesn’t Need to Include Intercourse,” Prevention
“The Power of Fantasies,” Prevention
“Confessions of a Millennial Therapist,” Psychotherapy Networker
“How to Enjoy Sex After a Dry Spell,” Prevention
“Low Libido in Men: What Causes it, & How to Deal With It,” Prevention
“Skin Hunger: What it is & How to Cope,” Spark Chicago Therapy
Contact
Feel free to reach out to inquire about client availability, supervision, or speaking/teaching/media/writing requests.