Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Frostick.
Hi Tracy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My path here has been a mix of intention and things naturally falling into place. After years of working in clinical settings, I reached a point where I knew I wanted to step into private practice on my own. What I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to find an office space that truly supported the work. Somewhere with natural light, good soundproofing, a calm and safe environment, and a location that felt easy and welcoming for clients.
At the same time, I noticed how limiting many office arrangements felt for therapists and wellness professionals. I believe strongly that clinicians should be able to run their businesses in ways that align with their values, their clients, and their lives. I wanted a space that offered autonomy, professionalism, and comfort, shared with other thoughtful providers, without unnecessary rules or pressure to fit into a rigid model.
As I kept searching, it became clear that what I was looking for didn’t really exist in one place. Through a series of conversations, opportunities, and good timing, the idea of creating something myself began to take shape. GR Therapy Collective grew out of that process, not as a grand plan, but as a response to a real need.
Today, it’s a space that reflects what I was hoping to find from the beginning: a supportive, well-designed environment where independent professionals can do meaningful work and clients can feel at ease the moment they arrive.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been completely smooth, though many of the challenges weren’t external at first. A big part of the struggle was navigating my own anxiety and self-doubt, especially when it came time to fully commit to the space. Signing the lease felt like a real moment of stepping into the unknown, and I had to confront the limits I was placing on myself around what was possible.
Once I made that commitment and allowed myself to trust the process more, things began to feel lighter and more manageable. That didn’t mean everything became easy, but it did mean I wasn’t working against myself in the same way. Decisions became clearer, and I was able to respond with more confidence rather than hesitation.
There’s also been a significant learning curve outside of therapy. I’ve had to learn about leases, operations, and marketing and SEO, areas that are rarely taught in clinical training. While that has been challenging at times, it’s also been energizing. It’s helped me appreciate how many different skills go into building something sustainable and how important it is to rely on others’ strengths.
That realization has reinforced the heart of GR Therapy Collective: community and shared care. No one person does this alone, and this practice exists because of collaboration, support, and a belief that we’re better when we build together.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a mental health therapist and the owner of GR Therapy Collective. I work primarily with adults and individuals, supporting people who are navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and patterns that feel difficult to break. My clinical approach is rooted in EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS), with a strong emphasis on nervous system safety and understanding what’s happening beneath the surface rather than just managing symptoms.
I’m known for being deeply present with my clients. I care, I stay engaged, and I don’t pull away when things get complicated. One of the most meaningful pieces of feedback I’ve received recently was from a client who thanked me for consistently showing up, remaining steady, unjudging, and supportive through both progress and setbacks. That kind of trust matters to me, and I see it as central to healing.
My focus is not on helping people simply cope or get through the day, but on getting to the root of why certain patterns exist in the first place. I believe lasting change happens when people feel safe enough to do honest internal work, and my role is to help create the conditions where that feels possible.
What I’m most proud of is the sense of safety I’ve helped cultivate, both in my individual therapy work and within GR Therapy Collective as a whole. Whether someone is a client or a fellow professional, my intention is that they feel respected, supported, and not judged. I try to practice what I encourage others to do by prioritizing my own regulation and well-being, so I can continue to show up fully and sustainably.
What sets this work, and this collective, apart is the belief that healing is not about quick fixes, but about depth, care, and creating spaces where people can genuinely thrive.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’ve been incredibly supported along the way, and this work wouldn’t exist without the people who believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself.
My best friend and longtime coworker of over ten years has played a huge role. She was often the one gently (and sometimes not so gently) pushing me out of a place that felt comfortable but limiting, and toward something that aligned more with what I actually wanted. Her own desire for change and our hope that we could work together again in a shared space helped turn an idea into something tangible. Having the vision of creating an office where we could both show up, work side by side, and do meaningful work mattered more than I realized at the time.
My family has also been a steady source of support in different ways. My sister, in particular, has been instrumental. As a business owner herself and the founder of a women’s coworking space in Grand Rapids, she offered both emotional reassurance and practical guidance. She was often the one reminding me that I could do this when I was stuck in fear or self-doubt, listening through the anxieties, offering grounded advice, and helping me think through things from a business owner’s perspective.
I’m also grateful to my uncle, who took the time to review my lease and helped me advocate for what was truly needed and important. Having someone willing to slow down, read the fine print, and support me in standing up for myself made a meaningful difference.
This collective really is a reflection of community, people showing up, encouraging growth, and offering support in the moments it mattered most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grtherapycollective.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grtherapycollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GRTherapyCollective/
