Tracie Lima, LCSW

Tracie Lima is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience helping people manage stress and anxiety. She brings a calm, straightforward approach to sessions and aims to make starting therapy feel less intimidating for parents and caregivers.

She focuses on work with trauma and abuse, depression, anger, and LGBT concerns, including gender dysphoria and panic disorder. Sessions are meant to be a place where clients can speak honestly about their thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Her style centers on practical, goal-oriented conversations. She listens closely and helps people identify small, doable steps to reduce distress. Techniques draw on cognitive behavioral ideas and solution-focused strategies to change unhelpful thinking and build coping skills.

Motivational interviewing is used to support readiness for change and to strengthen clients' own reasons for working toward goals. Trauma-focused methods are applied when past events continue to affect daily life and safety needs are addressed.

Tracie works with each person to set clear, achievable aims and to track progress over time. She encourages open dialogue about what is or isn’t helping so sessions can be adjusted to fit the client’s needs. Her practice is based in California and sessions are conducted in English.

Taking the first step can feel hard, and she acknowledges that courage. The process begins with a short matching questionnaire and scheduling, so clients can start at a pace that feels right for them.

How therapeutic approaches work in online sessions

Tracie often draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT focuses on practical exercises and skill-building that translate well to online formats and can help with anxiety, panic, and depression.

She also uses client-centered therapy which emphasizes listening and responding to each person's lived experience. That approach creates space for people to talk through identity concerns, LGBT related issues, and past trauma while therapists reflect understanding and validate feelings.

Motivational interviewing is another tool she uses to build motivation for change. In online work this looks like collaborative conversations that clarify goals and strengthen commitment to steps clients want to try.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. She works together with clients to identify goals, try methods, and adjust the plan based on how well things are working. The direction of therapy is shaped by the client’s needs, preferences, and progress.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful for longer, interactive sessions and skills practice. Phone sessions can fit into a busy day and need less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging let clients check in between sessions or use brief, on-the-go communication. These options make it easier to schedule consistent care and to keep momentum between appointments.