Dr Tracy Wisdom Almanza is a distinguished professional from the Rio Grande Valley with a strong background in military service and behavioral health. A graduate of La Feria High School, she served with honor in the United States Marine Corps from 2003 to 2011, where she deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an Ammunition Technician. In 2006, while still in service, she was appointed as the Battalion Uniformed Victim Advocate (UVA), assisting sexual assault victims, and served as a Suicide Intervention & Prevention Instructor Trainer. Her role frequently included on-site victim support and crisis negotiations, a foundation that later influenced her transition into the mental health field.
Tracy holds a Doctorate in Behavioral Health from Arizona State University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from California State University San Marcos. Her academic background complements her extensive practical experience in mental health.
She has made significant contributions as a mental health provider for the Department of Veterans Affairs, McAllen Vet Center, where she served combat Veterans and their families. Tracy was an integral member of the crisis response team during the 2018 Santa Fe School Shooting and the 2019 Austin VA suicide, offering immediate therapeutic support to those affected. In recognition of her dedication to community leadership, Tracy was honored by the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court in 2019 for her continued service to Veterans. In 2022-2024 she worked closely with the RGV Sector Resiliency and Employee Engagement Office and acted as a liaison between RGV CBP agents and VA services.
Currently, Tracy serves as the Health Scientist for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Security, Border Health Division, where she is the Regional Lead for the Child Well-Being Program. In addition, she contributes her expertise as a Behavioral Health Consultant for Totum Health, where she promotes holistic care and bridges the gap between mental health and physical health.
Tracy specializes in trauma & stress related somatic and Psycho-physiologic Disorders (PPD). She is a level II Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II), Certified in Thought Field Therapy (TFT-Algo), and EMDR-IA trauma trained Therapist. Tracy has been trained in the nationally recognized Certified Brain Injury Specialist course to better assist patients suffering from traumatic brain injury. Tracy continues to be deeply committed to serving individuals impacted by trauma and mental health challenges, applying her skills to improve the well-being of diverse populations.
