Candace Bullinger, MSW, LICSW
Candace Bullinger is a licensed independent clinical social worker, therapist, and mental health advocate dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals navigating anxiety, depression, insomnia, trauma, OCD, and life transitions. As the founder and CEO of Tetra Counseling, a woman-owned group therapy practice based in Tacoma, Washington, Candace has built a practice focused on approachability, inclusivity, and specialized mental health treatment. Her team provides services for adolescents and adults ages 13 and older, with expertise in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a highly effective cognitive behavioral treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Through her work, Candace is committed to helping clients develop resilience, healing, and long-term emotional wellness. Before launching Tetra Counseling in 2024, Candace built a diverse clinical background through roles in medical social work, integrated behavioral healthcare, corrections mental health, and community mental health systems. She has served as a Behavioral Health Specialist with Community Health Care, a Faculty Behaviorist with Providence, and a Jail Mental Health Evaluation Specialist with the Pierce County Sheriffs Department. Her experience working across healthcare and correctional settings has strengthened her understanding of trauma-informed care, mental health accessibility, and the importance of integrating behavioral health into broader medical systems. In addition to her clinical work, she actively mentors associate-level therapists and educates medical professionals on recognizing and addressing mental health concerns, including providing instruction on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI). Candace earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Washington and her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to social justice, advocacy, and the dignity and humanity of underserved populations, including incarcerated individuals and those experiencing homelessness. Her volunteer work with organizations such as the Utah Justice Center and the American Red Cross reflects her long-standing dedication to community service and leadership development. Guided by the belief that social work is not simply a profession but part of her identity, Candace continues to create spaces where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal.
• University of Washington - Masters of Social Work, Social Work
• University of Utah - Bachelors, Social Work
• LICSW
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- OCD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- EMDR
- Exposure Response Prevention
- CBTI (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
- Ages 13 and up
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about social work and therapy is helping make the process feel more authentic, human, and real. I believe therapy works best when people feel safe enough to be honest, vulnerable, laugh, cry, and fully be themselves without judgment. I value being direct and genuine, while using my training and experience to help guide clients through some of the darkest and most difficult moments of their lives. One of the most rewarding parts of this work is helping people realize that therapy does not have to feel cold or intimidating — it can be deeply meaningful, challenging, empowering, and even enjoyable, all at the same time.