Tracy Kessler, LISW, LCSW-C - Therapist in Maryland

Strengths-based support
Client-centered care
Trauma-informed approach

About Tracy

Tracy Kessler is a licensed social worker with 23 years of experience. She brings a warm, down-to-earth presence to sessions and aims to make conversations feel straightforward and useful for everyday life.

She uses a strengths-based approach to help people notice what already works for them. Tracy emphasizes honest, practical steps and supports clients who are coping with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, trauma, and mood challenges. She also addresses concerns such as body image, parenting strain, caregiver stress, and compassion fatigue.

Much of her recent work has been in school-based mental health, where she spent 18 years providing services to children and adolescents in the public school system. That background informs how she supports people who have experienced child abuse, domestic violence, developmental or learning differences, and other trauma-related issues.

Her way of working is collaborative and client-centered. She leans on Client-Centered Therapy to follow the person’s pace, and she draws on approaches like cognitive behavioral methods, emotionally focused ideas, mindfulness, and trauma-focused strategies when useful.

Outside of practice she is a mother and enjoys outdoor activities and time with her sons. She values honesty, hard work, and gentle encouragement in both life and therapy.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and following the person's lead. It focuses on understanding what the client wants to change and offering steady, nonjudgmental support to help them get there. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and offers concrete tools to shift unhelpful habits and reduce symptoms like anxiety or panic. Trauma-Focused Therapy attends to the effects of past harm and uses paced, targeted work to reduce distress linked to traumatic events.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or has not helped before. Together they will try methods that fit the client's needs and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Some formats also use less bandwidth or let people attend without being on camera, which can help on hectic days. Licensed professionals and therapists can adapt these approaches so sessions feel practical and useful in daily life.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression ADHD

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Attachment issues Body image Caregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability Control issues Divorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily problemsForgiveness Guilt and shameImpulsivityMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacks Postpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirthSelf-harmSocial anxiety and phobia Women's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

23+ years

Listed in

Maryland, Virginia, Ohio

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, ADHD, grief, eating concerns, parenting strain, and related issues such as body image, caregiver stress, and compassion fatigue.

How would you describe the therapeutic style?

The style is collaborative and client-centered, focusing first on the person's goals and strengths and then using practical techniques to support change.

What is her professional background?

She has 23 years of professional experience, including 18 years in school-based mental health serving children and adolescents in public schools.

What credentials and location are on record?

She holds LISW and LCSW-C credentials and practices from Maryland.

In which languages can sessions be held?

Sessions are offered in English.

Are international clients served?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How does pricing work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.