Dr Tracy's Counseling Services

Highly recommend!
Apr 14th, 2019

Several years ago my husband and I were having issues. I was personally in a bad place and made some horrible choices. My husband found Dr Tracy and we entered counseling. The good: Dr Tracy helped me get into intensive outpatient therapy in Des Moines. THAT is what ultimately saved me. The bad and the ugly: Dr Tracy saw us as a couple. She also saw my husband and I separately. I later learned ethical counselors do not do this. Reason being: a marriage counselors focus is the marriage, helping the couple focus on their relationship and ultimately trying to determine if and how that relationship can be saved. An Individual counselors focus is the individual and what is ultimately best for that person. The two goals are not necessarily synonymous. Therefore, it is widely considered unethical to serve clients in both capacities. Also, Tracy said things to me she later claimed she did not say. And my husband told me after one of his sessions she told him to throw me out. Another time she said to me, you dont see if you let him go, another woman will snatch him up? After years to let the dust settle, looking back, I believe my husband was her client. Not me. Not our marriage. Him. Which is all fine if thats her proclaimed intent and focus. As you can see, there are clear contradictions. Im begrudgingly giving two stars because she did get me into the intensive counselingshe did recognize I was severely depressed and anxious and refer me for help. And yes, eventually my husband and I found a helpful counselor. We went to therapy together for about two years. I found an amazing counselor for myself. Nearly 8 years later we are still together and I am much better !
Oct 4th, 2021

I wasnt going to write a review but after encouragement from friends and family here I am. Dont let the Dr. in her name fool you. Tracey is a licensed social worker and not a psychiatrist or a therapist. Had I researched her prior to making the first appointment I would have gone elsewhere. My ex and I were seeing Tracy for couples counseling. After 4 sessions Tracy Miksell Branch wanted to see us separately. My ex saw her for an individual session on a Tuesday, and I saw her the following day. During my individual session, Tracy stated multiple times Whoo, she really doesnt hold anything back and shares everything referring to my ex. Then she continued to tell me about things that Tracy and my ex discussed during their private session. What is said in counseling should be a private conversation between the counselor and the counselee and not shared with other people, especially if that other person is in involved with the counselee. Sharing that type of details can be seen as unacceptable, unethical and could seriously get someone hurt if done with the wrong person. During our first session, Tracy stated that couples counseling wasnt covered by insurance, so she would bill both of us and our insurance companies for individual counseling. I assumed that this was a legit way to bill, and we didnt think much about it. At the end of the fourth session my ex asked why she hadnt received a bill. Tracy then stated that she had only been charging my insurance company but that my ex would be charged for the following individual session. I dont know why Tracy had made this change and not informed the two of us, but Ive checked my insurance since then, and her claim simply states Medical/professional services and nothing about couples counseling or counseling at all. Something seems a little fishy about this. I dont blame Tracy for my ex and I ending our relationship, we did a good job of this on our own. That said, I feel that Tracy did very little to help, and it seemed like once she deemed the relationship a problem she did everything she could to make sure it ended. A true therapist would have guided us to make our own decisions. Tracy seemed to push her views and opinions upon us, and then she shared private conversations that she should not have. I can only assume what I privately talked about with Tracy was also share to my ex. Im disappointed and cant recommend her.
Jan 7th, 2020