Tracey Ward, PhD

Clinical Director & Founder Licensed Psychologist, Washington State Dr. Tracey Ward is a licensed clinical psychologist in Washington State who brings exceptional clinical expertise, compassion, and innovation to her work supporting children and their families. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Seattle Pacific University in 2019. Dr. Ward completed her pre-doctoral internship in the Child Track at Seattle Children's Hospital within the University of Washington, School of Medicine. Her post-doctoral fellowship was completed at the Seattle Clinic in Child and Adolescent Anxiety in 2020. Dr. Ward’s clinical training includes child and adolescent inpatient settings, intensive outpatient treatment programs addressing selective mutism and OCD, and outpatient and assessment clinics at Seattle Children's Hospital Psychiatry Department and Autism Center, University of Washington Center for Human Development and Disability, and Advanced Therapeutic Solutions for Anxiety in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Ward specializes in evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure-based therapies such as exposure and response prevention (ERP), and behavioral parent training. Dr. Ward is a nationally recognized expert in selective mutism, having trained extensively with leading specialists. She is an active member of the Selective Mutism Association. As founder and clinical director of Brave Seattle, addressing the need for innovative tailored treatment for children and adolescents using team based models. This led to the establishment of Brave Explorers Camp—the only intensive selective mutism treatment program camp in the Northwestern region. Now entering its sixth year, this innovative program has served over 100 children with selective mutism and anxiety disorders. Dr. Ward leads a dedicated team of 15 clinicians and brings on 30 trainees annually, fostering the next generation of specialists in evidence-based anxiety treatment. In addition to her expertise in selective mutism, Dr. Ward's clinical practice includes treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, a broad range of anxiety disorders, challenging behaviors in young children, and working with neurodivergent youth, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder. Her clinical approach emphasizes collaborative, individualized care with a future focus on generalizing therapeutic gains into the community. She places a strong value on fun, humor, and bravery, emphasizing unique strengths within each young person. She is passionate about empowering young people to build their "bravery," helping kids identify and conquer fears, and partnering with parents to support their children in overcoming challenges to live more joyful lives. As both a gifted clinician and a parent herself, Dr. Ward understands the profound journey families navigate when supporting their children, bringing deep empathy, curiosity, and evidence-based excellence to every family she serves.