About Traci Andes, LCSW, RN
My Story
I grew up in Mormon communities in Phoenix and the East Valley. Although my views have evolved over my life, this experience shaped how I understand my identity and belonging. I hold dear all that’s good and look to find my own meaning too. My own evolution has shaped my interest in how people navigate moments when the beliefs, relationships, or structures they once relied on begin to shift.
I also identify as a deep feeler and wearing my moods right on my face. This sensitivity and inability to “play it cool” is sometimes frustrating but is also an asset. I know it deepened my attunement to emotional nuance, relational dynamics, and the lived experience of others. It absolutely required I work on learning how to stay grounded and centered while in the presence of strong emotions- both mine and others. This practice continues to shape how I show up in therapy, particularly in group settings.
Before private practice, I spent my career working in healthcare- as a nurse at the bedside, a case manager, and a social worker. I’ve lived the pace, pressure, and emotional demands of this work. I spent a lot of time thinking about how those demands can take a real toll and what it means to sustain yourself within that kind of work.
A very central part of my clinical work has been group therapy. I’ve had the privilege of facilitating groups for over a decade and this too has shaped who I am. Sitting in those rooms, I’ve witnessed people share parts of their lives they often have never spoken out loud before. I’ve learned, again and again, how powerful it is when someone speaks honestly and earnestly and is met with recognition rather than judgement. These moments of being seen are profoundly transformative.
What impresses me through the years is how much we all share despite having very different life paths. Beneath the surface differences, we all encounter the same emotional experiences- sorrow, grief, excitement, fear, longing, relief, hope. Whatever you’re feeling, I know this: You are not the only one.
What it’s like to work with me
At the heart of my approach is a belief that people do not heal in isolation. We heal in connection. My role is to create the structure and safe conditions for connection, where people can be fully themselves, and where they experience what it feels like to be understood. This means group members speak to and respond to each other, not just to me. We all show up and hold space for each other. This is so powerful.
If you’re curious if there is a place for you in groups with Andes Counseling, please reach out. I look forward to hearing from you. I hope we can journey together in the special space of group!