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# Open Heart Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy practice of Taylor Rechtschaffen

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [No More "Back of the Fridge" Gifts](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/no-more-back-of-the-fridge-gifts/) - Martín Prechtel, author and teacher, instructed me years ago about not giving “back of the fridge” gifts. What he means is that when it’s time to give a gift for whatever occasion, don’t give away the thing you already don’t want. Something you’d even be likely to throw away, the least good thing in your
- [Internal Family Systems & Feeding Your Demons](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/internal-family-systems-feeding-your-demons/) - Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps you get to know your inner world in a non-pathologizing way, uncovering a source of healing from within. Feeding Your Demons® (FYD) is a guided visualization process that helps you face emotional challenges and transform them through nourishment instead of fighting them. Both are radical paths out of suffering and
- [Terror](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/terror/) - On Sand Cats, Suffering, and the Self. I’ve been noticing this terror that rises in my chest. It shows up in different flavors, each one equally capable of stopping me in my tracks. The first terror is about writing and teaching. God forbid I don’t say the thing that needs saying—the words that turn the
- [Ordinariness](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/ordinariness-2/) - I made a casual intention a few months ago to officially take a year of not being special. I didn’t make it a strong intention because if I did, that might make me feel too special. What do I mean by a year of not being special? The idea rose when I started to notice
- [Sirens](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/sirens/) - I am so blessed to live in a valley where when police sirens start to wail, the coyotes join in. For a moment, I get to hear the similarities between these disparate sounds—the wild and the manufactured, the ancient and the modern, both wailing their particular song into the night air. Martín Prechtel tells a
- [Spiritual Bypassing Revisited](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/spiritual-bypassing-revisited/) - What if we are discarding something valuable when we admonish spiritual bypassing wholesale? I’ve been contemplating this paradox for years. I’ve definitely been a culprit of spiritual bypassing—I admittedly prefer peak experiences and moments of ecstasy to the painful shadow work of feeling my unpleasant emotions. I can push for the ‘love and light’ narrative
- [Feeding Not Fighting](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/feeding-not-fighting/) - The Transformative Power of Nourishing Our Difficult Emotions One of the core principles that can truly transform our relationship with ourselves is the concept of feeding not fighting. When we encounter challenging emotions or patterns within ourselves, our instinctive reaction is often to resist them—to push away, ignore, or battle against what feels uncomfortable. But
- [Calling on Fierce Protection](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/calling-on-fierce-protection/) - A client recently asked me what she could do to not absorb the painful energies of family members when they were projecting negative energies. She has some close family members who exhibit narcissistic and unconscious behaviors. This is really triggering to her young parts who have had to deal with this for a lifetime and

## Pages

- [Homepage](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/) - Therapy is a journey of discovering your inherent strengths and wisdom. I'm Taylor Rechtschaffen, and I am here to offer love, acceptance, honesty, and insight. Get Started Get Started Taylor Rechtschaffen Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Learn to Surf Life's Waves Everyone hits bumps in the road—some severe, some moderate, often very painful. This is
- [Contact](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/contact/) - Contact Me To request a session or to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation, use the form available. I look forward to hearing from you! CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.NameEmail(Required) Message(Required)Phone
- [Newsletter](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/contact/newsletter/) - Newsletter Sign up for my bi-monthly newsletter to receive updates on upcoming retreats and workshops, plus reflections on navigating life with more clarity, compassionate joy. CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First NameLast NameEmail
- [Events](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/events/) - Events Retreats, Workshops, and Meditation Sits
- [Blog](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/blog/) - Taylor’s Blog I have a Substack where I share my thoughts and writings. You can see the posts below, and if you use Substack, you can click here to subscribe. No More “Back of the Fridge” GiftsApr 15, 2026Martín Prechtel, author and teacher, instructed me years ago about not giving “back of the fridge” gifts.
- [Resources from Taylor](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/resources/resources-from-taylor/) - Resources from Taylor Therapy Worksheets, Books, and Videos Free Worksheets Click on the worksheets below to download them as a PDF. Universal Human Needs ListA list of the fundamental needs we all share as humans - the essential qualities that make life meaningful. Use this list to understand what drives your feelings and to connect
- [Taylor's Favorites](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/resources/taylors-favorites/) - Taylor's Favorite Resources Resources abound in the Bay Area and in the world. Being proactive and responsible for your growth and healing are essential components of therapy. Below are various ways to further your learning and get needed support. The power is in your hands! Books, podcasts, websites, and even apps can be essential supplements
- [Fees & Location](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/psychotherapy/fees-location/) - Fees My fee is $200 for a 50-minute session. I am committed to working within a range of socio-economic factors and have limited spaces at sliding scale fees. Insurance I do not accept insurance. I can write up a receipt for services rendered that can be submitted for reimbursement. Check with your insurance company if
- [Resources](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/resources/) - Resources WorksheetsVideosTaylor's FavoritesSign up for my bi-monthly newsletter to receive updates on upcoming retreats and workshops, plus reflections on navigating life with more clarity, compassionate joy. FacebookThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First NameLast NameEmail
- [Therapy Services](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/psychotherapy/) - Psychotherapy Taylor Rechtschaffen, LMFT Therapy can be a helpful aid in a time of confusion or difficulty. It can also be a place to focus on growing as a human and to get in touch with your authentic self. Whether you are new to therapy, have tried it a few times, or have more experience
- [About Taylor Rechtschaffen](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/about-taylor-rechtschaffen/) - In Practice for 10 years Attended California Institute of Integral Studies, Graduated 2016 Trained in Internal Family Systems Level 1, 2014 & Level 2, 2020 Certificate from Feeding Your Demons facilitator – Tara Mandala, 2024 Hi, I'm Taylor. My personal journey into becoming a therapist involved looking courageously and diligently at my own self-critical voices,
- [Privacy Policy](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/privacy-policy/) - Privacy Policy Privacy PolicyEffective Date: [Insert Date] Open Heart Psychotherapy ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it through this Privacy Policy. This policy describes the types of information we may collect from you or that you may provide when you visit our website (INSERT URL HERE) and our practices
- [Book a Free Consultation](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/psychotherapy/book-a-free-consultation/)
- [Opt-out preferences](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/opt-out-preferences/)

## Events

- [3 Day Retreat of Befriending Ourselves](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/event/3-day-retreat-of-befriending-ourselves/) - In-Person Sink deeply into the practices of feeding not fighting through this integration of Internal Family Systems teachings with the Feeding Your Demons practice. Combining psychological and spiritual discussion and experiential exercises, this retreat will give you tools to love yourself more and let go of what is burdening you. Retreat is a beautiful opportunity
- [1/2 Day Retreat of Befriending Ourselves](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/event/1-2-day-retreat-of-befriending-ourselves/) - In-Person and Online In this half-day workshop, you’ll experience two profound wisdom traditions, Internal Family Systems & Feeding Your Demons, unite to awaken your innate capacities - guiding you to gently meet, understand, and heal your most challenging inner landscapes through the practice of befriending yourself. Learn ways to access your true nature of wakefulness

## Categories

- [Substack](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/category/substack/)

## Event Categories

- [External Event](https://openheartpsychotherapy.com/events-page/category/external-event/)