Tracy Bodnar, LCSW

After doing a report on three different careers, I decided to pursue a  degree in social work back when I was a junior in high school. I was  intrigued by the prospect of assisting individuals in the process of  making changes to improve their quality of life, specifically in terms  of individual agency and interactions within their significant relationships.  It also made sense to me to consider all these aspects within the context of their particular environment. After earning my BSW and MSW from Adelphi University in New York, I subsequently fulfilled  requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  

My first job in the field was assisting aging-out youths in the foster  care system prepare for transitioning to independence through the  development of both necessary skills and an individualized support  system. My next job was providing individual, group, and family therapy  to adolescent males in a group home setting who were working towards a discharge goal of family reunification, foster/adoptive placement, or independent living. After a break to be a stay-at-home mom when my children were younger, I returned to the field working in a community mental health clinic providing individual therapy to a variety of  different clients. I have experience working with clients whose mental health needs include Anxiety, Depressive, Bipolar, Adjustment, and Schizoaffective Disorders.  I also have over a decade of experience working with seniors and clients with disabilities or chronic health problems. I have developed an understanding of the unique experiences and challenges that they often face in trying to promote as much independence as possible, while also learning to accept the need to become more dependent upon support systems.   

My counseling style is strengths-based and encouraging within an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard.  Within this type of therapeutic environment, I will challenge my clients to look at problem solving from new perspectives. I also holistically keep in mind that my clients are functioning within multiple interrelated and interdependent systems. My therapeutic approaches include primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, rational-emotive techniques, mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and behavioral activation.  My goal for my clients is for them to develop and consistently utilize healthy processing and coping skills, so that they are empowered to heal and create a fulfilling, gratifying life full  of potential.