Inspiring Conversations with Tracy Busse of Ash Tree Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Busse.

Hi Tracy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I came to Atlanta to study at the Psychological Studies Institute (currently Richmont Graduate University), where I earned a Master’s in Counseling with a focus in Spiritual Formation. After graduation, I struggled to find a job and worked at a Starbucks in Vinings until I was given the opportunity to work for the Cobb/Douglas Community Services Board, where I worked with children and adolescents who were either in the foster care system or the Department of Juvenile Justice. During my time working for the state of Georgia I was offered amazing training opportunities in leadership development, trauma-informed care, substance abuse treatment, diversity training, and strength-based approaches to care. I also met some of the most amazing humans and talented clinicians.

After five years, I was hired as a Clinical Director for Wellspring Living, which works with women and children survivors of human trafficking. This position gave me the opportunity to develop programs, increase my training in trauma-informed practices, speak and train at national conferences for other providers, develop curriculum for the university setting, and raise awareness through fundraisers and work with various foundations in the Atlanta area.

Both of these experiences opened the door for what would eventually become Ash Tree Center for Transformation, Connection, and Hope. When I moved into private practice in 2014 to work with adult and adolescent survivors of trauma, I was also given the opportunity to consult and train various non-profits across the country that work with survivors of human trafficking and unhoused populations. I found a passion for working with leaders who desired to lead from a trauma-informed and strength-based lens. Many of the non-profits I work with are faith-based and want help developing an ethical and trauma-informed model for integrating spirituality into their programs. This eventually led me to pursue a Doctorate in Spiritual Formation from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA

While earning my doctorate I focused my study on Ignatian Spirituality and Direction integrated with Trauma-informed Care, and Polyvagal Theory. At the same time, COVID hit, along with an influx of referrals. An incredible clinician, Kelli Summey, LPC, CPCS, for whom I provided clinical supervision at the beginning of her career, reached out to catch up. As we met, we brainstormed the beginning of what would become the expansion of Ash Tree into a group practice. It was madness to launch a group practice while writing my dissertation, but all the pieces fell into place. Kelli is currently the Clinical Director at our practice, and is the heart of everything we are able to do. She has a myriad of skills as a trauma therapist and specializes with women going through post-partum challenges. She also provides trainings in trauma-informed care and strength-based approaches to a variety of non-profits locally and nationally.

Kelli and I decided to focus on providing the best trauma-informed therapeutic care we could offer to individuals from Georgia, as well as consultation, training, and spiritual direction across the globe. We were joined by one of my Doctoral classmates, Ben Shoup, who provides spiritual direction to individuals and Executive Coaching to non-profit leaders in ministry. One of my best friends, who worked with me at the state and Wellspring, Lisa Byrd LPC, ACS, also helped me launch the practice and provides trainings as well. Two other clinicians Taylor Deal LAPC and Carol Brown LPC joined the practice adding new areas of specialization and diversity to the practice. Taylor focuses her work with neurodivergent individuals and individuals with OCD, while Carol provides training and support to women going through menopause. Each of member of our team is highly skilled but most importantly leads with compassion and care for the folks we are privileged to walk alongside.

In the past year, I felt a call to move to Colorado and expand our practice. We still have our group practice in Vinings but I am also licensed in Colorado. We are currently adding new trainings for professionals to learn how to ethically integrate spirituality into trauma-informed practice. I am also getting trained as a Nature-Informed Therapist with the hopes of offering therapy intensives and retreats in Georgia and Colorado.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle for me has been learning how to be a businesswoman. Numbers and accounting are not my jam, but we are still growing, and I have slowly been learning the business side of things until we make enough profit to outsource some of the things I don’t like doing

We have also had ups and downs with referrals. Sometimes we get more folks than we can take, and then sometimes it is a challenge to fill everyone’s caseload. Learning to market has been another growing edge.

Most recently, I am learning that I have folks on our team at Ash Tree that are great at doing things​ that are a struggle for me. Learning how to share the load with my team has created momentum that gets me excited about our future.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ash Tree Center?
Much of this was shared in the first answer, which I won’t repeat

While we work with folks from all types of backgrounds and beliefs about God, I really wanted to have a holistic practice that tended well to the spiritual dimension as much as we tend the mind, heart, and body. We want to be an inclusive practice that serves folks from any background or culture. Whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, other spiritual beliefs, agnostic, or atheist, we really value all humans from all walks of life. It is important that no matter who you are, you feel welcomed and respected at Ash Tree. I think a lot of clinicians don’t have adequate training to integrate spirituality in an ethical way, and we want to model this and provide training for professionals to do this without causing harm.

As a creative type, I had fun working with local Atlanta artist Ross Boone to develop our logo. The Ash Tree is an ancient symbol for the Tree of Life. Traditional images of the Ash Tree extend its roots to the branches, which remind us we are all part of a greater community. Through connection with ourselves and with God, transformation occurs, leading us to a deeper connection with others. The symbol invites us to consider the presence of the Divine, which unites all of humanity. The Ash Tree Center offers hope and transformation through connection and evidence-based services.

Each clinician and spiritual director has different specializations, as mentioned before. In general, we work with adults who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, change of life, neurodivergence, OCD, ADHD, post-partum, menopause, grief, loss, spiritual abuse, faith deconstruction, and spiritual direction. We also provide non-profits with consultation around leadership development, trauma-informed training, strength-based training, and ethical spiritual integration. We also provide CE trainings for clinicians and can offer retreats to a variety of groups seeking a therapeutic​ and spiritually integrated retreat.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Other than some of the best friends I can ever imagine, there is so much about Atlanta I love. I love all things nature, so all the nearby hiking trails, north Georgia Mountains, and the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta are favorites. I also think we have the best foodie scene around, and I love to explore new places. As a music and art lover, I enjoy the variety of concerts and festivals. I am also a frequent flyer at the Shakespeare Tavern, pretty sure I’ve seen every Shakespeare play they’ve offered over the past 20 years.

I’m sure I am not alone in saying that Atlanta traffic is the worst! The congestion is awful, and when it’s not congested, I feel like I am driving in the Indy 500. I am originally from Chicago,​ and what feels like 9 months of summer is not my favorite. The only consolation of the never-ending summer has been paddleboarding on the Hooch and nearby lakes.

Pricing:

• Range $125-$200/Therapy Session
• $250/hr Consultation/Training Fee
• $75-$125/hr Spiritual Direction
• Retreats and Speaking Events vary
• Sliding Scale available

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashtreecenter.com
• Instagram: @ashtreecenter1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashtreecenter/?_rdr