Candace Childers, LCSW
“Trauma is a chronic disruption of connection.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if life felt like taking a well-traveled path – full of signs, directions and even tour guides to help us when we get lost? For many of us, life does not feel that way; it can even feel like we took a wrong turn along the way, and suddenly we are on a cliff-edged trail that is getting narrower and narrower.
When we experience chronic stress – whether it be from trauma, relational issues, anxiety, depression or even sensitivity – life can feel hard. As pressure mounts, we can find ourselves reacting to daily experiences through outbursts of emotion, impulsivity, agitation or even numbing out. When we are struggling, it can feel hard and very vulnerable to reach out, and we might not even have the exact words to describe the “problem.”
Through my own therapeutic journey, I have seen first-hand that it is possible to move from states of chronic stress to states of connectedness and safety. I know what it is like to feel stuck in cycles that one would rather not experience, and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing others transforming their struggles and accessing their unique, empowering essence.
How I work…
We live in a time where it is easy to find ourselves disconnected. Perhaps we feel disconnected from our communities and loved ones. Often times we can feel disconnected from our true nature; wondering what our purpose is, and what our greatest potential looks like. When feeling that disconnect, it can be important to have a safe person to work with that can guide us back to our bodies. When the wisdom of body and its innate healing ability is accessed, lasting change can occur. As a therapist, I am passionate about creating a safe environment where mind and body can meet, and patterns that underlie our emotional and behavioral upsets can heal.
In my time of working in crisis therapy, I have developed a passion and talent for therapeutic psychoeducation, neuropsychology, and nervous system regulation. In an ideal world, everyone would be living inside their Window of Tolerance—that lovely space where life and its challenges feels manageable, and creativity is possible. However, when we are pushed out of that window, we can go into states of (maybe even chronic) hyper-arousal (fight or flight), or hypo-arousal (freeze and shutdown). I enjoy helping people get to know their own nervous system, and how our nervous system state affects the stories we tell, and our viewpoint of the world. An emphasis on nervous system regulation can be particularly helpful for highly sensitive people, trauma, chronic pain, anxiety, numbness, panic – or anyone experiencing stressful events in their life.
I have an eclectic and collaborative style and approach when working with clients – my goal and passion is meeting you where you are. I specialize in working with those that might want, or need a more gentle approach to therapy. Sometimes, especially in trauma therapy, less is more. My deepest wish for you is to feel that you have all the resources you need, to get to a space where you want to be. Whether that resource is myself, helping bring curiosity, knowledge, compassion, balance and/or structure into your life… Or accessing, discovering and/or amplifying your inner-resources – which can look like harnessing strengths, cultivating meaning, unlocking creativity or simply finding your calm center.
Education:
Candace Childers, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker at Whole Wellness Therapy.
Master of Social Work: Clinical Practice, Boston University (2020)
Bachelor of Art: Child Development, Summa Cum Laude, California State University Sacramento (2013)
Experience/Trainings:
Brainspotting (Level one and two)
Nurturing Touch Technique (basic training, and advanced training for Highly Sensitive People, and pregnant individuals)
Emotional Freedom Technique (basic training, and practicum)
Expressive Art Therapy (practicum)
Certified in Safe and Sound Protocol
Suicide Risk and Assessment (QPRT and CSSRS)
Motivational Interviewing
Cognitive Processing Therapy (basic training)
More About Candace:
Candace is a licensed therapist at Whole Wellness Therapy. Previously, she worked as a crisis counselor at a local and statewide hotline, where she provided crisis de-escalation, emotional support and resources to youth and their caregivers. Clinically, Candace has experience working with school age children, providing counseling and mentorship at a local K-8 school. Candace also has experience being a therapist at a local Women’s Center providing individual counseling to adults, and assisting/leading experiential and art based therapeutic groups.
In addition to her Masters of Social Work from Boston University, Candace has her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, and has a long history of working with children and families. Before starting a career in therapy, Candace has worked as a lead daycare teacher, assisted and helped planning children’s camps, and worked in Employment Services for Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance – assisting families to become stabilized and explore career options.
Candace uses a trauma-informed approach when working with clients, and had several trainings and experience in body-based and psychosensory techniques, including brainspotting, safe and sound protocol, nurturing touch technique, and expressive art therapies. Psychosensory therapies utilize sensory stimuli (including sight, sound, touch, taste and smell) to “treat various behaviors, mood, thoughts, symptoms, and pain”(Ron Ruden). Candace also draws on theoretical frameworks of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and Eco-therapy.
Candace is particularly good fit for children, adults and families needing support with trauma symptoms, complex PTSD, panic, fears and phobias, anxiety/depression, self-esteem issues, creative blocks and performance anxiety, family stress, chronic stress including chronic pain, and emotional control.
California Board of Behavioral Sciences License Number: 118847
Serving CA clients through secure online therapy, and in-person in Fair Oaks.
