Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 30 ratings

Tonia Childers

LCSW, 12 years of experience

Empowering
Warm
Authentic
Virtual
Next available on

About me

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 12 years of experience. I specialize in trauma, attachment wounds, and substance use disorders. My goal is to help you recognize and work through the internal and external barriers that hinder you from forming healthy relationships with yourself and others. I am committed to empowering you with the skills and insights needed for lasting healing and resilience.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, we'll introduce ourselves, discuss tailored therapeutic techniques, explore your goals, and begin to uncover the barriers that have kept you stuck, all in a supportive and collaborative environment.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I have worked with individuals with severe mental illness, domestic violence, suicidal ideation, PTSD, Substance use, and abuse. We all deserve to be heard, seen and to have a safe space to heal

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I am passionate about working with individuals who are driven to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and are committed to developing skills that lead to a more whole, fulfilling life.

Specialties

Top specialties

Trauma and PTSD

Other specialties

ADHDAnxietyAutismMilitary/VeteransSelf Esteem

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

My treatment methods

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

I have used EFT as a foundation for all interventions, as the attachment styles we formed as a child continue into adulthood and impact how we view ourselves and others. Understanding and repairing our insecure attachment styles can lead to a more fulfilling connection with ourselves and in all our relationships. EFT can assist in identifying relationship patterns that may be causing you friction, so that you can develop skills to manage them. EFT is focused on repairing insecure attachment styles. Building a secure attachment style can lead to: increased trust others and yourself in relationships ability to confront and resolve conflict well openly express how you feel pause before you react when experiencing intense emotions

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I have used DBT for 10 years with clients to help others build these healthy life skills we all struggle with. DBT skills can build a strong foundation in learning how to deal distress, manage our emotional reactions, and communicate with others. DBT assists in identifying important-to-you goals and overcome obstacles that prevent you from achieving these goals. You can learn skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. With DBT we focus on 4 key areas : Mindfulness Emotional Regulation Distress Tolerance Interpersonal Skills

Trauma Informed Care

Trauma-informed mindfulness is a mindfulness practice that’s adapted to the unique needs of trauma survivors. A trauma-informed approach to mindfulness works by modifying traditional meditation practices with grounding, anchoring, and self-regulation techniques to maintain balance in the nervous system, which can help traumatized people manage their symptoms and feel safer in their bodies. Trauma-informed mindfulness can also involve: performing a physical activity with present moment awareness rather than sitting still in meditation observing objects, colors, or the space around you listening attentively to music as a mindful practice

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 30 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

May 6, 2025

Incredibly action oriented therapist! Is warm, while still constructive.

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 10 with Tonia

April 22, 2025

Very personable, easy to talk to, had great feedback and seemed very understanding and knowledge

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 1 with Tonia

January 26, 2025

I feel as though this might actually help me this go around!

Verified client, age 45-54

Review shared after session 2 with Tonia