Tracy Rider , LMHC

Tracy Rider is a New York licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with ten years of clinical experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem struggles, and life transitions. She blends trauma-informed methods with practical skill-building to tailor treatment to each person's background, strengths, and goals, emphasizing respect, sensitivity, and steady support.

Her clinical training includes EMDRIA certification as an EMDR specialist, a post-graduate degree in trauma and dissociation, and training in clinical hypnosis through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. She is also trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and draws on systems thinking to understand how change in one area of life affects the whole. Tracy holds an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University and a BA in theology from NBC, and she has additional life coaching training through the iNLP Center, a program accredited by the International Coaching Federation and recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Tracy’s professional background includes eight years volunteering as a counseling paraprofessional with the United States Army, where she served veterans and their families. Her practice is also informed by long personal experience - more than 30 years of marriage, parenting, and living with chronic illness - which contributes to the empathy, steadiness, and practical perspective she brings to sessions. She works collaboratively with clients to pace care to their readiness and to help them build meaningful, sustainable change.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Delivered Online

Tracy uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and develop practical skills for managing anxiety, stress, and mood challenges. CBT focuses on changing patterns of thinking and behavior to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.

She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an approach that helps people process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional intensity through structured, bilateral stimulation paired with guided recall. EMDR is often used for post-traumatic stress and complex trauma reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Tracy works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She combines techniques as appropriate and adjusts the plan over time based on what is most helpful.

Online therapy with Tracy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and for those who prefer remote care. These options make it easier to attend sessions around work, family, and health commitments while maintaining continuity of care with licensed professionals.