In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90405
Online in California
You may be finding that things that used to feel manageable no longer do. You’re overthinking more, feeling anxious or on edge, or noticing you’re either reacting quickly or shutting down altogether. You might feel disconnected from yourself, unsure why you feel “off,” or frustrated that you can’t seem to get back to how you used to be. In your relationship, you may be having the same conversations on repeat, feeling unheard, or struggling to stay connected despite your efforts. For many, this is happening alongside a major life shift—like perimenopause, burnout, or changes in identity—that’s hard to fully put into words but deeply felt.
I specialize in working with women and couples navigating high-functioning anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship challenges, and life transitions, including perimenopause. These experiences can impact not only your sense of self, but also how you show up in your relationships, often leading to repeated conflict, emotional distance, or difficulty communicating in a way that actually feels productive.
My approach to therapy is both compassionate and focused. I integrate evidence-based modalities such as ACT, CBT, psychodynamic, Gestalt, somatic, and Gottman-informed couples therapy. We begin by helping you feel more grounded and regulated, so you’re not just talking about your experiences, but are able to work with them in a meaningful way. From there, we explore the underlying patterns driving what you’re experiencing and focus on creating lasting, practical change.
Therapy with me is collaborative, direct, and tailored to you. The goal is not just insight, but helping you feel more like yourself again—clearer, more connected, and better able to navigate your life and relationships.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
Approach Description: My approach to therapy is both compassionate and focused, with an emphasis on creating real, lasting change—not just temporary relief. I work with individuals and couples to move beyond insight alone and into meaningful shifts in how they experience themselves, their emotions, and their relationships.
We begin by helping you feel more grounded and regulated. When your nervous system is overwhelmed, it becomes difficult to think clearly, communicate effectively, or access the tools you already have. By building this foundation first, therapy becomes more productive and sustainable.
From there, we explore the underlying patterns that may be contributing to what you’re experiencing—such as perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, or long-standing relational dynamics. I integrate evidence-based modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing-informed techniques. In couples work, I draw from Gottman Method Couples Therapy to help partners better understand their patterns, reduce reactivity, and rebuild connection.
Therapy with me is collaborative and direct. I will meet you with warmth and understanding, while also helping you stay focused on the changes you want to make. The goal is not just to understand why things feel the way they do, but to help you feel more grounded, clear, and connected in your day-to-day life.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee $170
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Sliding Scale eligibility based on salary and financial need, available for all sessions if eligible. Free 15 minute consultations, book today, let's chat and see if we are a good fit.
- Out of Network
Education & Credentials
Tracey Kiernan MA, AMFT
- Female
- License # 154791
- Licensed in California
- Practicing Since 2024
Education: Masters Clinical Psychology, Antioch University Los Angeles, 2025
Gottman Model Couples Therpay, Level 1 & 2, 2025-2026
EMDR, 2026
Somatic Experiencing, SEI, 2025-2027
Tracey Kiernan Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Available Online for residents of California
- Online Therapy Details: Simple Practice