LPC, 30 years of experience
Hi, I'm Tara. I'd like to tell you a little about myself since I will be asking a lot about you! I come from a pretty dysfunctional family background with a lot of addiction and strife. So after I completed undergraduate school, I worked at a residential substance use disorder facility in Virginia, working with families of patient's there. I learned that folk with substance use issues also have depression, anxiety, bi polar disorder, and other mental health and social skill and communication problems. This prompted me to do something I said I would never do...... go back to school. I started Graduate school in 1992 and finished in 1994 and received my MA in Professional Counseling. I worked at a CSB and did my residency there. I started working for myself in February 2001. I work with 18 year old and up. When I am not working, I volunteer with a cat rescue group and I take care of "bottle babies" in the spring and raise them until they are old enough to be adopted. I enjoy going to the movies, the theatre, musicals, reading mysteries, watching netflix and prime video and cooking. I love my 5 cats and one dog. I am very Client Centered, meaning - I don't think the therapy can go very far if there isn't a therapeutic connection. I work with anxiety disorder, substance use disorders, depression, Bi Polar disorder, Parenting . If you do not make yourself a priority, you cannot be the best friend, partner, wife, husband, employee, parent, friend, Truly, I am here to help you in whatever you are experiencing.
In our first session together, I will work on getting to know you better and hear more about about your story so I can know how to better help.
I believe my biggest areas of strengths are listening to what is being said and not being said, reading body language, being present with you during our sessions, making observations. I don't tell people what to do, I don't have that power nor would I want to, but I do share suggestions that you might try to help certain situations.
People from age 18- 70 with Substance Use Disorder, Parenting Issues, Mood Disorders, Life Issues, Transitional Issues, Coping Issues,
I believe that the therapeutic relationship is important. Building rapport with my client's builds trust and and alliance to facilitate growth.
I believe what we think encourages how we feel and our feelings generate our behaviors. I use CBT in my practice to help change cognitive distortions.
I use Mindfulness techniques for client's struggling with anxiety - it helps them to focus on the present and what they have control over.
3 ratings with written reviews
July 8, 2025
Had a great first session and immediately booked a second. Thank you for your help.
June 5, 2025
She is the best therapist I have ever worked with
March 12, 2025
Tara is wonderful and I'm so glad I found her! She's been amazing!