Tracy Doering, LCSW

My Story

I was born a truth-teller into a family rooted in chaos, pain, and secrecy. This environment greatly shaped and burdened not just my childhood—but the way in which I moved through and saw the world after.

It was by transitioning into adulthood and moving away from my childhood home that I became more aware of painful relationship patterns, numbness, and disconnection within myself which led me to therapy. Very fortunately, I stumbled upon a wonderful therapist who helped me uncover deeper truths about my past. This led to an awakening which completely changed the trajectory of my life, and that was the catalyst for profound transformation. I could finally feel, speak freely, and gaze at the world without fear! 

During this time I was called to become a healer myself, and for over a decade since, I have dedicated my life to healing the little one within me, and learning how to skillfully guide others into their own truths and transformations.

My Work

With a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of South Florida, I have spent years building a strong clinical foundation and working with hundreds of people experiencing the pains of trauma, anxiety, depression, and other complex challenges. Early in my career I was trained extensively in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), a type of therapy rooted in Buddhist wisdom (lots of mindfulness!), and that targets those who experience emotions with extreme intensity.

I later traveled to hospitals, homes, and care facilities where I guided individuals and families through end-of-life transitions as a hospice social worker. This work helped deepen my understanding of grief, chronic pain, spirituality, and the existential.

When the therapy-world called to me again, I stepped into the role of therapist at residential and intensive outpatient settings for adults struggling with substance use disorders and mental health crises. It was at that time while reading No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz, the founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS), that I knew I had found my true direction! How the IFS model gets to the root of painful patterns and doesn’t simply manage symptoms excited me, and still does!

I have since been trained in IFS by the IFS Institute (Level 1), and have learned from Ann Sinko, Dr. Richard Schwartz, Melissa Mose, and many others. My work is influenced by shamanism, humanistic perspectives, my own spirituality, and most importantly, by work with my own parts using the IFS model.

A Little More