Tracy Karvinen

Tracy Karvinen has been in clinical practice for over 25 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). She also holds a certification in Mental Illness Substance Abuse (MISA II) from the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc.  

Over the last 25 years Tracy has provided clinical services and supervision in a variety of different settings and areas including adolescent inpatient substance use, adult outpatient mental health and substance use, national research and training, community-based services, home-based services, phone services, crisis hotlines, county jails, police stations, homeless shelters and hospitals.  

One of Tracy's specialities is working with adolescents with mental health and substance use issues. She co-authored an evidence-based treatment manual called Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach for Adolescent Cannabis Users, Cannabis Youth Treatment (CYT) Series, Volume 4. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services. The treatment manual is now used nationally and internationally by other treatment providers delivering evidence-based services. Tracy has provided training for therapist certification and supervisor certification in this model for several sites around the country. She was also a co-author on a paper called Clinical Management of a Multisite Field Trial of Five Outpatient Treatments for Adolescent Substance Abuse. Cannabis Youth Treatment Services, Volume 1-5. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services related to her work in this area of expertise.

Tracy utilizes client centered, cognitive behavioral, interactive, and solution-focused approaches while working with her clients. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.