Tracy Dillard

My name is Ms. Tracy Dillard. Congratulations! This is the first step of a new journey in your life... I believe that making that first step toward change is a strong indication of showing readiness. I will work with you and provide support; however, you are the driver in this journey. That means, that as long as you are willing to put in effort for change, we can work together to guide YOU to a direction that YOU want to go. I hope this message finds you well, and if it doesn't... just know that you are not alone. Let's work together toward the next steps of your new journey! I, Ms. Tracy Dillard, am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC); License Number MHC-689. I, Ms. Tracy Dillard, am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC) recognized by National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); NCC Number: 1440142 This provider resides in Hawaii.

My approach

I use an array of theoretical approaches which I determined based on your goals and needs. My theoretical approaches I use include (but not limited to) Cognitive Behavioral interventions (derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) Applied Behavioral Analysis interventions (derived from Applied Behavior Analysis) Person-centered therapy Humanistic Art Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Brief therapy Anger Management

My focus

I am most comfortable treating clients that are motivated for change, willing to work with the therapist in regards to putting forth effort to make those changes towards their overall goals.

My communication style

I have a calm tone, meaning that I want the client to feel safe. "Safe" to me means that the client is aware that I provide a safe space for sharing. If the client feels "safe" then they maybe ope to sharing whatever is on the client's mind. I do not judge a client. Meaning that, I am here as support.

My journey to mental healthcare

I first became interested in therapy when I began doing a peer mentoring group for Anger Management in High School. I then achieved my associates degree: Liberal Arts: Social Sciences and Humanities at Onondaga Community College in NY in 2012 (because I wasn't yet sure if I wanted to commit to a full program yet). I took my time because I really wanted to take courses of interest and find out what I wanted to do as far finding a career choice. From there, I enrolled in a BA of Psychology degree program at Columbia College of Missouri and graduated in 2014 from a satellite school based in NY. During this time, my father was diagnosed with liver cancer and my family already moved to Hawai'i. I was still in Syracuse, NY while my immediate family lived on Oahu, HI. I tried to find work with a BA in Psychology but I was unable to find any. I was often told, "you need at least a masters to find work in this field." I realized how true that was when I moved to Oahu in 2014. My main reason was to reunite with my family and spend time with my father before he passed away. I knew that being with my family was all I needed. My family on Oahu consisted of my mother, father and older brother. However, Oahu is very expensive- so I had to get back to work. I tried to find a "quick" part-time because my main focus was to be with my family. I realized that I didn't really have any experience other than mental health field experience. I had done Anger Management in High School. I worked with developmentally disabled adults while in college in NY. So, I was destined to have to work at a job in the field that I know- mental health. I then applied to several places that accepted BA in psychology. I must say there is more job opportunity on Oahu, HI in comparison to Syracuse, NY. I eventually ended up working at Alakai Na Keiki as a Skills Trainer doing ABA with children who had Autism and other behavioral disorders in a school setting. I thought it would be a good way to see the island, working at various schools but it was tough work! From there, my supervisor at the time suggested I go back to school and get my Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I still, worked as a Skills Trainer because as I mentioned, Oahu is expensive! But, thankfully I was also able to work as a skills trainer for my internship requirement as well. So, I was working and going to school at night ...BOTH full time. My father was able to spend time with myself and my family. If I wasn't working or at school, I was with my family. The last semester of my degree program, my father passed away in May of 2017. It was very shocking to me because I never knew his prognosis. It's something my father chose not to tell me in order for me to want to stay in school. I'm sure he knew I would not have wanted to continue in the program. However, I found that I was in the best program (in my opinion) that I could be in- a mental health program during this grieving process. So I only missed 2 classes and studied harder than ever, I finished and graduated with distinction- on time in 2017. I eventually found work at the most challenging position I have personally ever experienced- residential counselor at a substance use treatment facility. I worked there for years into the COVID-19 pandemic. I became licensed as LMHC and NCC summer of June 2020. I was not able to get a promotion as I worked at a non-profit (substance use treatment facility). I felt like I had more skill set and with credentials it was time for me to move on. I became a Military Family Life Counselor a few months later and still work as one now. I now have my own LLC as a private practice and looking forward to partnering with PATH counseling. I believe the need for mental health is at an all time high as one of the many residual effects of the pandemic. I look forward to getting to more work but most importantly continuing to help others. Thank you for this opportunity, -Ms. Tracy Dillard, LMHC, NCC Tracy Dillard, LLC

My goals for you

I work with clients by first asking what their overall goal is. Then I help the client develop a SMART goal. Specific= if the goal is not specific I work with the client to get to a more specific goal Measurable= I help the client track, hourly/daily/weekly etc. depending on the goal Achievable= is it possible for the client? if overall goal does not appear to be achievable, then I will work with client to determine which aspect(s) of their goal is achievable Relevant= is the goal really relevant to what the client the client "wants' or what they may "need" and that really depends on factors of that client's specific journey they wish to take in their life. Time= if client's goal appears to be "long-term", I would work with client to "break down" the overall goal to short-term goals. I believe when a client works toward and achieves several small goals they are more likely to develop intrinsic motivation for change and their overall "grand" goal.

My first session with you

The first session would be going over informed consent/confidentiality/availability. Initiating rapport building (I think rapport building takes time over the course of several sessions I always incorporate my own availability and my days off "as these are my self care days." I am a firm believer in self-care and I usually have a client complete a self-care survey. This will at least initiate dialogue for clients in terms of self-reflection. Emergency contact/resources may be necessary. I'm not sure if PATH has their own policies and procedures.