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Dr. Rachel Anne Kieran is a psychologist and the founder of StorieBrook Therapy & Consulting. Her work centers culturally humble, justice-oriented care and reducing systemic barriers to mental health services through collaborative practice models and accessible pathways to care. In addition to her clinical leadership at StorieBrook, Dr. Kieran develops professional education for clinicians through StorieTree Professional Education, is a cofounder of PATH, and founded The StorieBrook Foundation for Mental Health Access, which works to expand access to affirming care for marginalized communities. She is currently writing a book exploring the ethical integration of ritual and marginalized spiritualities into mental healthcare.
Dr. Rachel Anne Kieran founded StorieBrook Therapy & Consulting with a simple guiding question: What would therapy look like if it truly honored every part of who we are? That question continues to shape the practice today — from the clinicians she has mentored, to the communities StorieBrook serves, to the values that guide the work.
Dr. Kieran is a licensed psychologist who works with individuals navigating identity, relationships, and the many ways personal history intersects with the present. Her clinical work centers culturally humble, justice-oriented care and a deep commitment to creating spaces where clients can explore their lives with honesty, curiosity, and compassion.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Kieran is committed to expanding access to affirming care and strengthening the mental health profession. She is the founder of the StorieBrook Foundation for Mental Health Access, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to supporting community-based pathways to care for marginalized individuals, and serves as Program Director for StorieTree Professional Education, which provides continuing education for mental health professionals. She is also a cofounder of PATH (Pagan Affirming Therapists & Helpers), a platform designed to help people find clinicians who affirm pagan and other marginalized spiritual identities.
Dr. Kieran currently sees clients on weekdays, both virtually and in person, and currently has a waitlist for new clients.
Dr. Kieran holds bachelor’s degrees in History and Psychology from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, and earned her Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver.
Before opening her private practice in Atlanta in 2007, she provided clinical services for college students at both Regis University in Denver and Georgia State University in Atlanta. She continues to be actively involved in professional education, teaching in the Department of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University and presenting workshops and continuing education programs for mental health professionals locally and nationally.
Dr. Kieran has long been engaged in professional leadership and advocacy and is a Past President of the Georgia Psychological Association.
While Dr. Kieran considers herself a generalist clinician, her work often includes:
Sexual identity and diversity
Gender identity and expression
Relational diversity, polyamory, and ethical non-monogamy
BDSM and kink-aware services
Neurodiversity and identity development
Disability justice and fat liberation
Size diversity and health
Depression, anxiety, and self-esteem
Stress management and relationship concerns
Interpersonal psychology and intersecting identities
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Public mental health and social justice
History of psychology (yes, she is that nerd!)
As a therapist, I believe therapy works best in an environment grounded in empathy, authenticity, and genuine respect for the complexity of a person’s life. My approach is rooted in the humanistic tradition — the belief that people have an inherent capacity for growth when they are met with understanding, curiosity, and care.
At the same time, therapy is not only about reflection. Sometimes it means gently challenging old patterns, exploring the origins of our wounds, and making intentional choices about how we want to move forward.
Much of what brings people to therapy is connected to earlier experiences — the relationships and stories that shaped us long before we understood their influence. Part of the work of therapy is learning to recognize those patterns and to decide, with compassion for ourselves, what we want to carry forward and what we are ready to change.
My goal is always to reduce suffering and to help people move toward lives that feel more authentic, more connected, and more their own. Sometimes change begins with something very small — a shift in perspective, a moment of clarity, a single step forward. Those small moments matter.
When I’m not in the therapy room, you’ll most often find me with a mug of tea and a stack of books. I read widely — queer fiction and romance, narrative nonfiction, history, speculative fiction, and fantasy — and I have a long-standing habit of acquiring far more books (and journals) than any one person could reasonably finish.
I’m happiest when I’m making something with my hands. That might mean cooking for my heart family, working on a craft project, experimenting with a new creative hobby, or planning the next small adventure. I love spending time outdoors, especially visiting riding and caring for my animals, or exploring new places on my e-bike.
I’m also endlessly curious about the world. History, psychology, stories, and the ways people make meaning in their lives are constant sources of fascination for me — which is probably not surprising given the work I do.
And, of course, there is always more tea.
“It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” — Ursula K. Le Guin
“A person is a fluid process, not a fixed and static entity; a flowing river of change…” — Carl Rogers
"Psychotherapy is, in essence, a cure through love." — Sigmund Freud
Dr. Kieran is able to bill IN-Network (through our billing partner Headway) to the following insurance plans:
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey
Quest Behavioral Health (partners with many plans under Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) mostly under large employers)
Oscar (an independent, publicly traded health insurance focused on telemedicine)
Optum (a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, which also owns UnitedHealthcare, but they operate as distinct parts)
United Healthcare
Carelon Behavioral Health (administers mental health benefits for many insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, private group plans, & large employers)
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of GA
Like all of our providers, Dr. Kieran can also provide a receipt (often referred to as a "superbill") for private pay services. These receipts contain all the details you need to request reimbursement for OUT-of-NETWORK costs from your insurance provider.
If you are engaging with us for servides for which we cannot bill insurance, this is the best way to work with your insurance company to get this covered.
Because of our small size and billing arrangement with Headway, StorieBrook cannot bill insurance for:
Assessments (including pre-surgical, gender affirming care, neurotype, or any other time limited services
Support groups (or any other non-therapy services)
Relationship therapy or counseling