Confidential & Compassionate Psychotherapy "We know what we are but not what we may be"

OPHELIA from WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S HAMLET

services

Dr. Tracy Blanchard is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who provides confidential, results-based treatment delivered with compassion and superior client service.  She offers boutique psychotherapy by appointment only, during both daytime and extended hours.  Dr. Blanchard delivers fee-for-service treatment for individuals, couples, and teens (aged 15 years and up), in the following areas:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Anger Management
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Communication Skills
  • Coping Skills
  • Couples Counseling
  • Divorce
  • Gender Identity Issues
  • Grief
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Relationship Issues
  • Self Esteem
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Sexual Dysfunction

Fee-For-Service and The Benefits of Boutique Psychotherapy

If you are someone who values choice, privacy and wellness, then you belong in the care of Dr. Tracy Blanchard. One of the many benefits of being a client of Dr. Blanchard is freedom from mandates that insurance companies place on the client-therapist relationship. These include limits on the type and amount of care you can receive, and may even require the therapist to diagnose you with a mental disorder for reimbursement. Appropriate client care is Dr. Blanchard’s absolute first priority. Her evidence-based, fee-for-service boutique practice ensures that clients receive exactly the type and amount of care they need.

approach

Dr. Blanchard uses eclectic and integrated treatment approaches to help clients identify and resolve their emotional and behavioral issues. Her treatment orientations include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Humanistic Sandtray Therapy and Gottman Methods in her marriage and couples therapy. She has advanced training and certifications in all of her approaches, and integrates them to provide her clients with the most cutting edge treatment.

CBT is an effective, evidenced-based treatment approach that identifies and alters our thinking that can negatively affect the way we feel or behave.

EMDR therapy can be used as an accelerated treatment approach. This treatment method recognizes that memories may be stored in the neuro-network systems of the body. They are encoded and stored there as a result of past experiences, and we re-experience them as if they were still happening. While everyone responds to EMDR differently, most people can resolve their issues and “triggers” (anxiety, fear, depression, etc.) within approximately ten sessions. Importantly, there is no need for clients to share detailed information that they may regard as embarrassing. EMDR may not be the correct approach for everyone; therefore, effective client screening is paramount.

EMDR treatment can be used to address the following issues:

  • Anger
  • Test anxiety
  • Social anxiety
  • Performance anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief/complex grief
  • Couple and relational issues
  • Self esteem
  • Sexual performance
  • Flashbacks from assault/sexual assault
  • Near death experiences/accidents
  • Witnessing or enduring past abuse, neglect or violence

Humanistic Sandtray Therapy is an effective treatment approach used to help clients express feelings and lower anxieties around intense subject matter. Dr. Blanchard is certified in this approach, which was the subject of her PhD, as well as ongoing clinical research.

Finally, Dr. Blanchard has specialized training in areas of sexuality that often arise from relationship and emotional issues that can impact sexual function. Dr. Blanchard welcomes clients dealing with heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay and transgender issues.

resources

In an effort to promote a paperless and green practice, and to make the most reliable information available to her clients, Dr. Blanchard has compiled a list of recommended readings and online homework documents. Visitors to this site should feel free to use these resources. However, those who are doing research should use caution with regard to information found on the Internet. Web sites whose domain names end with .org, .gov and .edu are generally the most reliable. Web sites whose domain names end with .com may contain information that is biased or outright false, as it is often intended to sell products rather than provide readers with factual information.

websites

  • AnxietyNational Institute of Mental Health provides information on causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and avenues for help
  • Bipolar DisorderNational Institute of Mental Health provides information on causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and avenues for help
  • DepressionNational Institute of Mental Health provides information on causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and avenues for help
  • Postpartum DepressionThe Mayo Clinic works to inspire hope and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care through integrated clinical practice, education and research.
  • Domestic Violence National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Advances the work, thinking, and leadership of communities and individuals working to end the violence in our lives.
  • DoSomething.org For young people and social change, they tackle campaigns that impact a variety of causes. From poverty to violence and literally everything else.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) InstituteEMDR.com An empirically validated treatment approach for victimes of trauma.
  • LGBT Human Rights Campaign: Working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equal rights
  • PFLAG.org: Organization committed to advancing equality and societal acceptance of LGBT people
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) National Institute of Mental Health provides information on causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and avenues for help
  • SuicideNational suicide HOTLINE 1-800-273-TALK: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress

recommended readings

contact

There may be areas of people's lives - as individuals or as couples - that are not ideal, but by taking the first step and scheduling an appointment with a trained professional, they can start moving toward a better future.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

About my background, certifications, and services, please visit my directory on Psychology Today.

CALL OR EMAIL ME NOW
(Phone calls are preferred)

(813) 992-9686

new client orientation & paperwork

In order to access important paperwork and communicate securely with Dr. Blanchard, you will need to register online with Dr. Blanchard's Secure Client Area by clicking on the above link. After clicking the link, please follow the prompts to set up a Username and Password. Upon entering the Secure Client Area, please complete the electronic registration and make yourself familiar with the various features included in the portal, such as Mail, Forms, Files, Office Information and Upcoming Sessions, etc.

Within the Secure Client Area, you will be able to access important paperwork by clicking on the Forms icon. If you are a new client, please read carefully, electronically complete and sign the following forms:

  • Adult Intake Form (If you are 18 or older)
  • Minor Intake Form (If you are under 18)
  • Office Policies & General Information Agreement and Informed Consent for Psychotherapy Services Form

Dr. Tracy Blanchard, llc
1600 Prince St, Suite 102
Alexandria, Va 22314