Tracy Sondern (She/Her)

I created and facilitated a support and therapy group Ageism and the Creative Professional to help those who are experiencing ageism, burnout and loss of identity. I also trained at a organization that helps people with Alzheimer, dementia and their caregivers. I co-facilitated a group for adult children who are caregivers there, as well as worked with clients experiencing Alzheimer's and dementia.

After 30 years working as a creative professional, I have a lot of experience with helping artists and others pivot their careers to stay relevant. I love to help people recognize their strengths by looking at what is and what isn't working for them. I help clients feel less flooded and overwhelmed so they can find their way back to what excites them. I created and facilitate the therapy and support group Ageism and the Creative Professional.

I've worked with victims of childhood sexual abuse and helped them through the trauma and shame that effects their lives for so long after the abuse is gone. I create a safe space and use trauma informed as well as strength based methods to gently work through the issues.

I have earned certificates in Community Resiliency Model Training at Southern California Counseling Center as well as in Trauma and Overwhelm Lives in the Body with Sergio Ocampo. I'll give you tools to calm your central nervous system when conflict leaves you flooded and help you identify triggers that may relate back to past trauma.

I have completed trainings on anxiety, as well as experience in treating people with anxiety. I'll teach you to recognize where in your body you are feeling the anxiety, and what is happening in your brain while in this state. I have many skills to I want to share with you, that will help to ease your symptoms.

As a 61 year old woman, I have my personal experience of ageing. I have also worked with people experiencing Alzheimer's and dementia and their caregivers. I facilitated a group therapy for adult children caregiver's. I created and facilitate a therapy and support group Ageism and the Creative Professional for people experiencing ageism, burn out and loss and identity.

I have completed 2 courses specifically on trauma and have had several client experiencing PTSD. These courses both taught me invaluable skills on the science behind trauma's effect on the body and brain chemistry as well as exercises to help clients regulate their symptoms.

In sessions, our relationship is important in that it will often reflect how you are in relationships outside of the session. And I believe almost everything is a relationship, your marriage, family, work, your relationship to yourself. If you have difficulties with relationships our sessions will be a safe space to practice overcoming these issues.

I completed the course Trauma and Overwhelm Lives in the Body, and learned a great deal about the effects of trauma on our bodies. I learned what happens with our brain chemistry, and how areas of the brain and body react in a trauma state. I learned techniques to teach my clients to bring an awareness to them about what is happening to them in that state. I have been treated using Somatic Experiencing and learned a lot in the process.

As someone with training in how trauma affects the body, . I 'll teach you the science behind what's happening in your body and brain when triggered and the skills to help lessen the reaction.

I have been married for 30 plus years and bring a wealth of experience with me. I am a former creative professional married to a creative and am especially knowledgable about the dynamic that can happen in a relationship with the ups and downs of a creative life. Much of what I've learned has been from my own couples therapy, so I am a big believer in the power of therapy and learning good communication skills.

I will help you to become aware of what is happening in your body and brain when you become flooded. In tandem with this approach is to teach you how to breath through anxiety and ground yourself. Being able to self regulate will really change how you are in the world by letting you approach stressful situations feeling calm and grounded.

I am trained in the Gottman Method and am able to help you identify when blaming, criticism, contempt or stonewalling is keeping you from effectively communicating. I'll teach you how to speak to each other in a way that is direct but empathetic and kind. I'll help you to relocate your lost friendship and intimacy and to bring the joy back. I want you to feel an ease with each other and leave the tension behind.

I transitioned from a creative professional to a therapist at 60. I know what its like to feel stuck and unsure of what the next phase of life looks like. I can help you discover what you really want and move away from what you 'should' want. I view transitions as an exciting time where you can create a life you love!

I am strength based in my approach and will help you to see what is working for you in your life and build on that. By focusing on your strengths, your confidence will build, you'll feel better about yourself, and start to feel empowered to change the behaviors that are no longer working for you.

The focus of my work is on women in their 40, 50's and 60's. My expertise comes from being 62 myself, from having done the work myself and from my training in somatic practices, workshops on aging, EMDR training to work with trauma and my mindfulness practice. I created a support and therapy group for women called Women Talking and have an instagram that is concerned with age advocacy. @tracysondern_therapy

I am trained in EMDR(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to work with clients on PTSD or little "t" trauma. This modality has been proven to help desensitize trama responses. Most of us carry some trauma with us and don't realize how it effects us day to day. My work is to help you recognized when that happens by tracking the feelings in your body and giving you the tools to regulate your central nervous system.