Hello, I'm Tracey. Did you know that people do one of two things when they feel like no one is listening? The person either repeats oneself over and over or just stops talking. Did you know that research supports that any person surviving an adverse or traumatic experience will need on average about 7 times to tell their story to begin the healing process? Do you feel tied to a toxic dynamic with one or both of your parents despite you being an adult that has left you living in the past and feeling like a burden, not measuring up, chasing that parent in hopes of a glimmer of insight while finding many of your current life domains are plagued with patterns of problems? Then you are in the right place. I counsel and coach individuals and couples on how these historical, upbringing-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are immobilizing you and your relationships with others. People pleasing, perfectionism, avoidance, and anxiety from worry about what others think of you are just some of the ways it can show up in adulthood. Whatever you are experiencing, from trauma to depression to anxiety to addictive behaviors, it does not need to go with you moving forward. You deserve and should be encouraged and supported to be You as You Define You according to your values and beliefs. I'm ready to start helping you find You. We will use a holistic approach that encompasses various approaches, but seeks to take the weight of the world off your shoulders and allows for being human. You know it's time to get started and overdue. So, let's get going on taking You Back.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session, I try and gather as much information as possible and get an understanding of one or two things you are wanting to address. I provide feedback as to how the treatment would be approached, but also try and send an email out with some additional feedback and handouts to put context around what you have discussed.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I've worked for 23 years in child and family welfare services focusing on Reactive Attachment Disorder and PTSD. I specialize in parental alienation syndrome and the impact of divorce on families' specific training in domestic violence, sexual abuse, and neglect. I am a certified Family Mediator in Illinois and Missouri. Over the past six years, I have focused primarily on the state forensic population with training in personality disorders and psychotic disorders.
About Tracey Thomas
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Attachment-based
According to Attachment Theory, the first 6 years of life lays the foundation for every person's ability to relate to others (secure vs insecure) as well as establishes the personality. Even more, empathy development begins within this time frame as well. Although most people at best can recall one o two memories from this time period, they know the family stories about what was going on enough to determine the factors influencing this critical time period. Thus, if you don't trust people, this will show in relationships with either being anxious or avoidant. If you or someone you know is diagnosed or suspected of a personality disorder, it is here where the bond is broken with the primary caregiver. There are numerous adverse experiences, trauma, and life crises that can occur during the child's first six years of life that effects this. Lastly, there are specific techniques to help build a more secure base.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Many people enter therapy with a highly critical inner voice that often mimics what their parents/caregivers said about them during their upbringing or what the parent said about oneself. There is an immense population of people carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders constantly in a state of hypervigilance about whether someone will be upset or mad at them, reject them, or disapprove of them. That is not your weight to carry. You can only concern yourself with your thoughts, feelings, and behavioral choices and need to let others be responsible for handling their own. You define yourself, not what other people said or did to you or left you unsure and concluding negatively about yourself. Enough is enough--it is time to shake off those adverse experiences leaving your seeing yourself negatively and build the You that You say You are.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
There are certain irrational thoughts or cognitive distortions that ignite anxiety and depressive symptoms that are literally lies that people tell themselves. My approach is to find them and reframe your inner voice so that it reflects truth about who you really are, that builds you up, and encourages you to keep moving forward.
Christian Counseling
i have been a Christian since the age of 7 and have been in numerous roles within the church. I have since then separated myself from any particular denomination and focus on simply scripture and my relationship with Christ. However, with counseling, I will assess your willingness to