I’m Tracie, the creator of Reflecting Well.
My mental health journey began in 2013 with a divorce, job loss, and the heart wrenching death of my mother.
I could say that 2013 was the worst year of my life but in retrospect it started a mental health healing journey that has blessed me with deeper understanding of myself, an honest, open relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ and overall deeper relationship with my family. 2013 started off with separation and the beginnings of a divorce from a 20 year marriage I thought I was emotionally managing. Six months later I was blindsided when my position in a job I loved was eliminated, but again, I was “emotionally managing”. Then came the phone call two weeks later that my mom’s 2 year battle with ovarian cancer had taken its toll and she couldn’t keep fighting, but I was “managing”. I truly thought God had prepared me for this time because I had the freedom to head home and care for my mom at the end of her life without the worry of a job.
I spent 3 months with my mom saying all the things I wish I would have said. When she needed me most, to love her as she was surrendering her life, I was there. After planning mom’s celebration of life with my brothers then packing up her things, it was time to head back home. Once I landed back at home, the realty of her loss and the state of the end of my marriage proved to be too much, I lost sight of my purpose, my value, my place in this world. I experienced devastating hopelessness and despair. I slid into a deep depression, incapable of day-to-day life.
I learned that self-exploration can be humbling, challenging, and mostly, freeing.
With the help of mental health professionals, the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and an amazing family, I began a journey back to me. This time though it was a “me” I had never known before. I was blessed with the opportunity to shed the outer shell I showed everyone else; the one that said I’ve got this, don’t worry about me. Through therapy and the 12 Steps of AA, I worked to reconnect with life, define who I am, and find my authentic self. For the first time in my life, I quieted the negative messaging that played like a constant reel in my head and created a reel of hope, love and confidence.
I decided I wanted to help others experience the same joy that I had in my journey.
Out of my experience I found my calling. With the encouragement and support of the people who helped me in my mental wellness journey, I went back to school to earn a master’s degree in counseling psychology to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. My vision and desire was and is to assist individuals, couples and families to find the emotional freedom I discovered along my journey. So, in 2015 the journey began to create what is now Reflecting Well, LLC. “A well that contains no resistance or fear, one that is given by God. It is life-giving, and it is filled with purpose, joy and hope. There is a wide-open space I long for, a space where my soul can be free, and I can become who I am meant to be.” -Shayne Moore and Carolyn Castleberry Hux, Women at Halftime, pg.42.
About me
My Favorite Things
Animals! All kinds but especially Axel, my great dane. He is 150lbs of lap dog.
Working out
Hiking
Time with my kids
Pizza – I am always in search of delicious pizza
