Biography
Tracy Navarro received her Bachelor of the Arts degree in Psychology at Rutgers University and her Master of the Arts degree in Creative Arts in Therapy at Drexel University. She pursued additional Masters level studies in Counseling and is currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania and a Registered and Board-Certified Art Therapist with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).
Art activity and use of imagination developed early for Tracy as a method of enjoyment, self-soothing and problem-solving. Her love for art expression expanded into a vehicle for gaining insight and an outlet for the release and transformation of powerful emotions. The direction of her education was guided by these experiences due to a strong desire to share the healing potential of making art with others. Her training in areas of art therapy and counseling together amplified her ability to connect with others utilizing verbal language, non-verbal body language and additional forms of creative art communication.
For more than 17 years, Tracy provided mental health services in the form of group therapy, art therapy group, psycho-educational group, individual counseling and individual art therapy. The majority of her work has focused on adults with Co-occurring Disorders. She also had the honor of curating annual art therapy exhibitions during her work at a partial hospital program in Princeton, NJ. The purpose of the exhibits was to address the stigma that individuals living with substance use and mental health conditions experience by validating and celebrating their unique voices. The exhibits also built community awareness about the multi-faceted benefits of art making.
Tracy practices from an integrative approach focused primarily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing techniques, Art as therapy, and Art Psychotherapy. She also has experience facilitating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) informed skills training. Since joining the Care Resource team in August of 2019, Tracy has obtained certification in CLEAR (Choosing Life! Empowerment, Action Results!), an individual intervention for those living with HIV or at high risk of HIV infection.
According to Tracy, “I am grateful for each opportunity to help another person adapt their distinct strengths into constructive coping skills. In the process, we both enhance our ability to navigate life challenges flexibly and successfully.”
