Christie Grace
MS, NCC, LPC-IT

Heart of Grace, LLC 

In-person & Virtual Sessions 

REACH OUT TODAY!

heartofgracellc@outlook.com

OR 

(608) 520-0096

Therapist | Trauma, PTSD, Attachment, Depression, Anxiety and OCD Specialist | Integrative Evidence-Based and Experiential Care

You’ve been through too much to be dismissed, minimized, or told to "just move on." If you're carrying the weight of trauma; whether from relationships, medical experiences, combat, work, or childhood, you're not alone. Trauma doesn’t just live in memories. It lives in our thoughts, our behaviors, in our dreams, and in the body--in patterns that feel hard to break, in relationships that repeat, and in a nervous system that never quite feels safe.

I work with people who have survived overwhelming life events and complex trauma: attachment wounds, abusive or controlling relationships, combat, bullying, medical betrayal, workplace harm, and more. My focus is helping you restore a sense of safety, meaning, and connection—not just to others, but to yourself. I’ve trained at one of the country’s leading clinics and have extensive experience working with complex trauma across diverse populations, including veterans, survivors of long-term abuse, and those impacted by medical or institutional harm—teens and adults of all ages and walks of life. My approach is direct, compassionate, and built on the belief that healing is possible, even if you’ve been living in survival mode for years.

I use prolonged exposure therapy alongside psychoeducation, grounding skills, attachment therapy, schema and Gestalt work with narrative processing, and targeted strategies from DBT, ACT, CPT and ERP when needed. We will also work on intrusive and maladaptive thoughts, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. I also integrate experiential and somatic methods when helpful. I tailor treatment to the individual and the symptoms—not the diagnosis—and ensure you're prepared before we enter deeper work. I also feel that sometimes clinicians are rushing to pathologize what is a “normal” reaction to life events. You’ll learn how trauma has shaped your nervous system and your beliefs and behaviors, while also reconnecting to your values, identity, and sense of agency.

With a holistic, biopsychosocial approach, I integrate my education in Psychology, Sociology, and Biology to view each person as shaped by their mind, body, relationships, and environment. I combine this broad lens with evidence-based modalities to address trauma, depression, anxiety, OCD, attachment wounds, and related concerns directly and effectively. Professional and Educational Background

Before becoming a therapist, I was a scientist focused on treatments for genetic disease and cancer, project manager, mentor, tutor, and music therapy--experiences that shaped my understanding of how struggles show up across our careers, learning, relationships, identity, and daily life. No one person is the same--therapy is tailored to each person--I do not use “cookie cutter” approaches. I bring compassionate, broad, practical perspectives to all my work, always focusing on what is most meaningful to each person I meet.

I earned my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University and my Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Sociology, with a science and research foundation in Biology. I also completed independent study of the University of Essex’s Psychodynamic Program under private supervision. This training deepened my understanding of unconscious processes, relational dynamics, and attachment patterns, enriching my clinical approach with nuanced insight into how early experiences shape present-day challenges. Integrating this psychodynamic perspective allows me to better support clients in exploring underlying emotional conflicts and fostering lasting healing beyond surface symptoms.

I hold certifications in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Attachment Trauma, Psychological First Aid, and ARC (Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency).

I am a member of the American Counseling Association and continue to deepen my training to provide therapy that is both empathetic and grounded in the latest research.

Client Services 

I provide therapy for adolescents and adults addressing:

• Trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, and healing from attachment wounds
• Anxiety, panic disorders, and generalized anxiety
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and values-based work
• Depression and mood challenges
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
• Autism spectrum and neurodivergence support
• Behavioral issues, coping skills, and distress tolerance
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) relational dynamics 
• Chronic pain management with mind-body approaches 
• Sleep or insomnia difficulties 
• Self-esteem, confidence, and identity development 
• Self-harm and suicidal ideation support 
• Relationship, peer, and intimacy challenges 
• Life coaching, motivation, and personal growth 
• Stress management and mindfulness training 
• Women’s issues and life transitions 
• Testing and evaluation for diagnostic clarity 
• LGBTQ issues