About Anchor & Thrive Coaching

Hey there, fellow late-identified, differently-wired brain haver! Welcome in.

I’m Dr. Rachel Zajicek, a LCSW with a doctorate in social work, over 15 years of direct practice experience, and a differently-wired brain. Here, I’m your self-proclaimed Unicorn Coach (UC for short). I’m not your therapist, and I don’t teach anything I haven’t tried myself.

Why I do this work

In 2022, the same year I defended my doctoral dissertation on the human-animal bond, I had a late realization about my own brain. Suddenly a lot of my FGOs (F**king Growth Opportunities, those pivotal, emotionally brutal life moments) made a LOT more sense.

I grew up into the adult I needed. Now I get to be that adult for others.

Who this space is for

Late-identified ADHD and autistic adults, especially women, non-binary, trans, and queer folks. Self-identified or questioning your brain? Get in here! (inclusively, not creepily, I promise!)

Maybe you seem “functional” from the outside, but on the inside it feels like you’re failing a life test nobody told you about. You’ve been told to just focus, stop being lazy, and/or keep going no matter the cost. You’ve tried talk therapy and rigid self-help programs, and your inner critic still runs its mouth at breakneck speed.

Same. (Well, past tense. Mostly.)

What I believe

• Mental health and wellness is an everybody thing, and you’re never too old to work on what matters to you.

• Neurodivergence has existed since time itself. It deserves dignity, belonging, and real accommodations.

• Practicing being yourself can disrupt the many systems you live in. That’s not a flaw.

Why “Anchor & Thrive”

This name came to me during a visualization exercise, and the imagery was so vivid and encouraging that I knew it was mine.

Anchor into yourself and thrive. That’s more or less my journey in one line. I went from an unknowingly TOO MUCH neurodivergent kid, to an adult who got mislabeled as failure left & right, to the courageous AF human I am now, visibly owning my invisible disability.

Now I get to stand in as a lighthouse for this part of your journey. I don’t steer your ship or tell you where to sail. I offer frameworks, light, and a steady presence while you find your own way to anchor & thrive.

How we work together

Small cohorts, self-paced pieces, and zero performing for a group. I make no guarantees, and I won’t use pressure tactics. Here’s what I can promise: tools, support, and a coach who gets it, so you can trust the parts of yourself that got mislabeled as failure without explaining your brain to one more person who doesn’t get it.

Take what resonates and leave the rest, from one neuro-spicy baddie to another.

In gratitude & solidarity,
(Dr/UC) Rachel

Anchor & Thrive Coaching, LLC offers coaching, not therapy or mental health treatment.