TK Portrait of Tracy Kessler

Tracy Kessler, LISW, MD, LCSW-C

Practical support for stress and anxiety

23 years in practice · based in Maryland · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Tracy

Tracy Kessler is a licensed clinical social worker who brings 23 years of experience to conversations about stress and anxiety. She aims to make sessions straightforward and practical. Tracy listens with compassion and works to help people build useful skills they can use between meetings.

She favors a strengths-based outlook that notices what already works for a person. That perspective shapes simple, goal-focused steps designed to reduce overwhelm and improve day-to-day coping.

Book with Tracy Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

Tracy also draws on mindfulness and trauma-focused ideas to help people calm strong emotions and process painful events. Much of her work has been in school-based mental health over the last 18 years, where she supported children and adolescents. That background informs how she talks about ADHD, PTSD, and child trauma in clear, nontechnical language.

She also has experience with mood disorders, eating concerns, grief, and caregiving stress. Tracy describes herself as energetic, honest, and encouraging. She blends practical coaching with talk therapy to help people set and reach realistic goals.

Sessions often focus on small changes that lead to steady improvement over time. Outside of work she is a parent and enjoys spending time outdoors. Her approach is collaborative - she works with each person to find what fits their life and priorities.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Tracy often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy in her online work. CBT helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes to reduce anxiety and mood symptoms. Trauma-Focused Therapy offers ways to process painful experiences and learn tools to manage strong reactions.

She also brings Client-Centered Therapy into sessions, which means conversations begin by hearing the person’s priorities and building on their strengths. Finding the right mix of methods is a team effort - the therapist and client work together to decide which approaches match the client’s needs and goals, and they adjust as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video is useful for deeper conversations and nonverbal cues, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and chat or text can work for shorter check-ins or people who prefer not to be on camera. These options make it simpler to keep continuity of care around family, school, and work schedules.
Book with Tracy Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns can Tracy help with?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, ADHD, depression, grief, and parenting challenges.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is compassionate and practical, blending client-centered listening with coaching and skills practice to address daily challenges.
How much experience does she have?
Tracy has 23 years of professional experience, including 18 years providing school-based mental health services.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LISW, MD, and LCSW-C credentials and practices from Maryland.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Experience
23 years
Licensed
Maryland, Virginia, Ohio
Languages
English

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