Vanessa Tracz, Registered Intern
National Certified Counselor
Vanessa was born in Oklahoma where she primarily spent her childhood. She later moved with her family to Florida. Vanessa grew up participating in various sports teams which sparked an interest in understanding others from various backgrounds. She went on to participate in collegiate swimming at Florida Southern College where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and worked as a teaching assistant to further explore research regarding motivation within college aged students.
Her undergraduate courses and experiences led her to being trained as a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2021 through Premier Nursing Academy.
She most recently attended and graduated from Jacksonville University where she spent two years working as research assistant on various projects regarding legal rights for victims of sexual violence, interpersonal abuse, and cyber-sexual assault. Additionally, her graduate research involved exploring treatment modalities for incarcerated women struggling with symptoms of trauma and stress related disorders.
In her free time, she enjoys engaging in various physical activities such as yoga, nature walks, and lifting weights. She looks forward to cherished moments spent with friends and family exploring local restaurants and beaches throughout Florida.
Vanessa has a wide variety of knowledge and skills around many areas, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and interpersonal relationship struggles. She primarily uses evidence-based theories in practice while incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion techniques. Her approach to therapy is grounded in an appreciation for an individual's unique experiences and resiliency through a holistic, person-centered lens.
Vanessa’s goal is to create a safe, collaborative, and non-judgmental space. In doing so, she wants you to feel supported as you explore various depths of yourself. As a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern, Vanessa’s clinical work is supervised by Tracy Riley, LCSW, PsyD.