Tricia Van Tassell

A few things I want you to know before you even schedule: I work with a lot of people who have tried therapy before and felt like it didn't really go anywhere. Other's are coming in for the first time and feeling equal parts skeptical and hopeful. Both are completely fine starting points.

I specialize in anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and emotional regulation - including work with teens and adults dealing with BPD or bipolar. I use EMDR for trauma processing, DBT for building real-world coping skills, and trauma-focused CBT when thinking patterns are part of what's keeping someone stuck. I don't use any one approach for everyone, because everyone is different.

I'm a Utah LCSW and I work entirely via telehealth, which means I can see clients anywhere in Utah - whether that's Salt Lake City or Tooele County or somewhere in between.

I take you seriously. That is probably the most honest way I can describe my approach. I do believe in understanding what's actually happening for you - what anxiety feels like in your body, how trauma shows up in your relationships, how ADHD affects your sense of self - and then working on it directly. EMDR, in particular is something I find genuinely effective for people who've been carrying hard things for a long time. It works differently than talk therapy, and for many clients, it moves things that years of talking alone couldn't shift.

I also use DBT skills when life feels unmanageable - when emotions are too intense or too unpredictable. And I use CBT when thought patterns are getting in the way. But really, I follow your lead on what's most useful.

I try to keep sessions grounded and real. I'll challenge you when it's useful, I'll also tell you when something doesn't have to be harder than it already is.

Our first session is mostly me getting to know you and you getting a feel for whether this is a good fit. I'll ask about what brought you in, what's been most difficult, what you've already tried, and what you'd most like to see change. You don't have to have it all figured out or tell me everything right away.

We'll talk about your goals and start sketching out what our work together might look like. I keep it conversational - no clipboard, no scripted intake interview.

Most people leave the first session feeling a bit lighter just from having a plan. That's really all I'm going for in session one.