Tracie Ferguson, LPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and National Certified School Counselor
Clinical Background
Tracie developed a love for working with children and teens early in her career and is now respected for her knowledge in child development, best parenting practices, and evidence-based trauma treatments. Her training is focused in the areas of developmental trauma, play therapy techniques, attachment theory, trauma-focused expressive art therapy and integrative somatic activities.
With an undergraduate degree in Social Work, Tracie worked in child abuse and neglect prevention, and home-based family services. Following completion of her Master’s degree in Counseling from George Mason University, she has worked as a School Counselor and as a therapist in private practice.
Tracie has experience in working with many common childhood and adolescent struggles, including: anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral disorders (Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, etc.), and common childhood experiences needing support- divorce, grief, bullying, relationship/family conflict and school (academic and social) issues.
Tracie enjoys working with other therapists and is a Board Approved Supervisor for licensed Residents in Counseling.
Therapeutic Approach
Tracie incorporates an empathic, playful and relational approach to psychotherapy with clients. Therapy sessions are engaging, collaborative and will include a whole person approach.
While many therapists shy away from the hurts that kids experience, Tracie chooses to invest in early intervention because kids and teens are inherently hopeful and resilient. With deep respect for families that invite her into their world, she joins them in moving away from simply surviving and towards fully thriving.
Education & Honors
George Mason University, Master of Education in Counseling and Development
Eastern Mennonite University, Bachelor of Social Work
Recently awarded a FALL 2024 Suzee Leone Grant by the Virginia Counselor Association Foundation for her development of an 8-week Support Group Intervention for adolescents that includes psychoeducation on the effects of trauma, affect regulation, positive coping skills and somatic exercises to promote resiliency and a growth mindset.
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Trauma is any event that overwhelms a person's ability to cope. It is not the actual event that happened in the past, but the current imprint of pain and fear living inside the individual. Tracie offers support in processing their experiences, learning about how trauma can affect your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and gain an understanding of the brain and how physiological responses work. Clients also practice somatic skills of mindfulness, breathing techniques and physical grounding exercises.
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We now understand that treatment for anxiety and depression must incorporate both the brain and the body. Tracie uses evidence-based treatments like somatic movement, yoga, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy to address unhelpful or negative thinking.
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Humans are inherently good and all behavior communicates a need. Tracie can help get to the root of what children are trying to tell us through their behavior. Using curiosity and compassion to uncover what’s underneath the behaviors, children are able to begin working on self-regulation of their emotions and behaviors through modeling, practice and support.
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Parenting is not for the faint of heart. Raising children and teens in today’s world is stressful. Tracie can support you by helping you understand the 4 core human needs we all have, how to get those needs met for yourself and begin to parent towards meeting those needs for your children. With two decades of experience in teaching parenting classes, Tracie has now created her own parenting program. Come join a support group or class on Big Picture Parenting!
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Sometimes children and teens simply need help with common childhood life experiences like divorce, grief, bullying, relationship/family conflict and school (academic and social) issues. Through psycho-education and play therapy techniques, a child is able to move through these events with calm, confidence and coping tools.
Supervision
As a Board Approved Supervisor, Tracie has extensive experience supporting pre-licensed therapists. If you are a Resident in Counseling and are interested in exploring supervision with Tracie, please contact her directly for more information.