Tracy Kessler, LISW, MD, LCSW-C

Tracy Kessler is a licensed social worker with 23 years of professional experience who brings a steady blend of compassion, energy, and practical support to her work. She holds credentials as a licensed independent social worker (LISW) and as a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland (LCSW-C), with the MD designation reflecting her Maryland licensure. Grounded in authenticity, humility, and a strengths-based outlook, she emphasizes holistic healing and transformation education - an approach that supports intentional change in both personal patterns and life circumstances.

For the past 18 years Tracy has focused on school-based mental health, providing services to children and adolescents within the public school system. Her clinical expertise includes attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and child trauma, and she has extensive experience supporting survivors of child abuse, individuals affected by domestic violence, developmentally disabled youth and adults, medically fragile children, and families navigating foster care. She also works with mood and behavioral disorders, eating disorders, learning disabilities, and parenting challenges.

Tracy values child advocacy, mentoring, and coaching, and she brings an encouraging, positive presence to sessions. Outside of her professional life she is a boy mom and dog lover who enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and sharing quality time with her sons.

Approaches for Online Support and Healing

Tracy Kessler uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, accepting space where a person’s own goals and strengths guide the work; this approach is useful for building self-esteem, navigating life changes, and improving relationships. She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors - an approach commonly applied to anxiety, depression, ADHD-related challenges, and coping strategies. In addition, trauma-focused therapy is used to address the impact of past traumatic experiences, offering structured methods to process trauma and reduce its effects on daily functioning.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and Tracy collaborates with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences. She works together with clients to adjust the plan as progress is made and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and receive support from a distance while working with therapists who can adapt methods to the online setting.