Dr. Tracie Balcerzak

I hold a doctorate and clinical licensure (LCSW) — which means when I say I adapt my approach to how you learn, that's grounded in both research and years of practice, not just a tagline.

My clients fall into two groups: people reaching out for the first time, who know what they're doing isn't working but aren't sure where to start; and people who've done therapy before and know they're ready for a "tune-up" — a focused return to the work when life has shifted again. Both are welcome here. I'm an ally to all and believe everyone deserves the chance to feel better.

I specialize in anxiety, panic, depression, stress, and anger — and bring a deep toolkit including Psychodynamic therapy, CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Trauma-Focused CBT to match what you actually need.

My core principle is simple: therapy should fit how you learn, not the other way around. Some people process through talking and reflection — that's where Psychodynamic and Narrative approaches are useful. Others need structure and tools — that's CBT, ACT, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. Some need both.

I have 16 modalities in my toolkit and use them fluidly. For anxiety and panic, I draw on CBT and MBCT. For trauma and PTSD, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT. For clients who benefit from working on emotion and deeper patterns, EFT and Psychodynamic work. For those looking for practical, forward-focused movement, SFBT and Motivational Interviewing.

I also have training in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) for clients who've experienced acute crisis or work in high-stress environments. We'll figure out what combination fits you.

The first session is a conversation about what's brought you here and what you're hoping for. I'll ask about your background, your current challenges, and — importantly — how you tend to learn and process things, because that shapes everything about how I approach our work together.

By the end, we'll have a starting direction and a sense of what our sessions will actually feel like. No pressure to cover everything at once.