Homepage / About Us
At CBTDR & Associates, we believe that meaningful change is possible when therapy is both evidence-based and genuinely supportive.
We specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Barrington, helping children, teens, and adults overcome anxiety, improve emotional well-being, and build lasting coping skills.
Our goal is simple: to help you feel better, function better, and live a more fulfilling life.
Finding the right therapist is an important step.
Dr. Rachael Schuster is a highly experienced clinical psychologist specializing in CBT for anxiety, emotional challenges, and behavioral concerns across all age groups. With over 15 years of clinical experience, she has worked extensively with children, teens, adults, and families. Her work focuses on delivering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Barrington that is structured, personalized, and effective.
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology – Indiana University (2010), Licensed Clinical Psychologist – State of Illinois, and B.A. in Psychology – University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Schuster also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in traumatic stress, where she received intensive training in evidence-based treatments for anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
Before founding CBTDR & Associates, Dr. Schuster spent 10 years at the Chicago Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Center, where she provided therapy to children, teens, and adults, specialized in anxiety and mood disorders, supervised and trained other clinicians, and contributed to hiring and clinical development. Her background reflects a strong combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and commitment to evidence-based care.
Prior to starting her own private practice in 2021, Dr. Rachael worked at the Chicago CBT Center full-time for 10 years providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to children, teens, and adults struggling with a range of anxiety disorders, relationship challenges, and mood and impulse control difficulties. Dr. Schuster also gained experience in leadership by providing individual and group supervision to colleagues working toward licensure. She assisted with interviewing, hiring, and training.
Dr. Schuster has been licensed as a Clinical Psychologist since 2011. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Indiana University in 2010 and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2005. Before moving to Illinois, Dr. Schuster completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Traumatic Stress at Summa St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio. Her fellowship provided intensive training in cognitive behavioral therapies among adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
For the past 15 years, her caseload has been split: about half adults and half children and teens (along with their parents). She enjoys working with people across the age range and seeing the growth and development of individuals over time. When working with children, it is vital for her to include their parents in the treatment process.
Dr. Schuster has a collaborative approach and enjoys networking with colleagues in the local community, disseminating evidence-based treatments, and teaching. Rachael taught classes in Child and Adolescent Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Masters and Doctoral students at Rosalind Franklin University in 2012, 2014, and 2019. She has special interests in the mind-body connection, sports psychology, identity development, and issues impacting family functioning.
A core focus of our practice is anxiety disorder treatment in Barrington. We provide expert care for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, and phobias. Using CBT for anxiety, we help clients understand their thought patterns, reduce fear and avoidance, and build confidence and resilience.
Dr. Schuster has extensive experience providing behavioral therapy for kids, CBT for children & CBT for teens. Her approach includes engaging, age-appropriate therapy methods, collaboration with parents, and a focus on long-term skill development. She believes that involving families in the therapy process leads to stronger, more sustainable outcomes.
Contact Us
Reach out today to begin your journey toward clarity, confidence, and emotional balance. Our Cognitive Behavioral Therapy services are designed to help you reduce stress, overcome anxiety, and build healthier thought patterns that last.
Our Location
330 E. Main St. Suite #214 Barrington, IL 60010
At CBTDR & Associates, we provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy designed to help you overcome anxiety, break unhelpful patterns, and feel like yourself again.
Phone: (224) 366-0619
Email: rschusterphd@gmail.com
Location: 330 E. Main St. Suite #214 Barrington, IL 60010
Copyright © 2026 CBTDR & Associates. All Rights Reserved. Website Designed by MozWebMedia LLC
