Rachel Swanson

Rachel Swanson (’15 psychology) chose to attend Iowa State University because she felt “at home” during her initial campus tour. Today, she feels right at home as a mental health therapist at Red Couch Counseling in Johnston, Iowa. Rachel helps central Iowa adolescents and adults improve their sexual health and functioning.

An undergraduate psychology degree from Iowa State provided Rachel with a solid academic foundation that allowed her to build a rewarding career and thrive in graduate school. Rachel earned a master’s in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, in 2017.

“Because of the opportunities Iowa State offered and the support my professors provided, I felt very prepared for graduate school,” Rachel said. “My resume was full of experiences that aren’t always offered to undergraduate students at other universities, which helped my graduate school applications stand out.”

Rachel conducted research, served as a career coach and worked as a teaching assistant during her undergraduate years.

As a counseling psychologist, Rachel offers individual and group therapy. She’s counseled teens who have sexually offended. Using insights from this work, she developed a groundbreaking curriculum that teaches healthy relationship skills and sex education. Rachel plans to combine her experience as a Sexual Offending Treatment Provider (SOTP) and her private practice skills to become a certified sex therapist.

“I want to help many people develop a healthy sexuality and I will continue to advance my skills in order to improve life for others,” she said.

Rachel wants students to know that the field of psychology is challenging, rewarding and constantly evolving.

“A major takeaway from my major in psychology is to never stop learning,” Rachel said. “When you study psychology, you are studying life and how to live, so be open minded to new information and all experiences.”