Tara Alfie
I believe therapy works best when you feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted for who you are. I work with adults and adolescents navigating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship challenges, self-esteem, stress, and substance use concerns. My approach is person-centered, strength-based, and compassionate—I’ll meet you where you are while also helping you recognize the strengths you may have forgotten you have. Clients can expect me to be warm, empathetic, down-to-earth, and authentic. I believe there is a place for humor in therapy, and I tend to be a “glass half full” person while still making space for the difficult, painful parts of life. I also understand grief and loss on a personal level, which has deepened my appreciation for how differently each person experiences and moves through loss. My ideal client doesn’t need to have everything figured out—they simply need to be willing to show up and begin. I’m a dog lover, a strong believer in resilience, and someone who genuinely enjoys helping people reconnect with themselves, recognize their own strengths, and create meaningful change. Therapy with me is a collaborative process: you bring your story and lived experience, and I’ll bring compassion, clinical knowledge, curiosity, and support as we figure out the next steps together.
First session
Your first therapy session is really about getting to know one another and creating a space where you feel comfortable being yourself. I understand that starting therapy—or starting over with a new therapist—can feel vulnerable, and I don’t expect you to walk into our first session knowing exactly what to say or where to begin. There is no “right” way to do therapy. We will start wherever you are. Above all, I strive to create a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel comfortable showing up exactly as you are. You don’t have to have the perfect words, minimize what you’re feeling, or have everything figured out before coming to therapy. Building trust takes time, and I believe that feeling emotionally safe, respected, and genuinely heard is an important foundation for meaningful therapeutic work. During our first session, I’ll spend time learning about you as a whole person, not simply the symptoms or challenges that brought you to therapy. We may talk about what has been happening in your life, what feels difficult right now, important relationships and experiences that have shaped you, and what you hope might be different as a result of therapy. I’ll also want to understand what is already working for you—your strengths, supports, coping skills, values, and the parts of yourself that have helped you navigate difficult seasons in the past. My style is warm, conversational, collaborative, and genuine. You can expect empathy and compassion, but you can also expect thoughtful questions that help you look at things from a different perspective. I’m not here to judge you, lecture you, or tell you how you should feel. Instead, we’ll work together to understand patterns, identify what may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical ways to help you move toward the life you want. And yes, when appropriate, there can absolutely be laughter and humor in the therapy room too. Most importantly, I want our first session to leave you feeling heard, understood, supported, and hopeful about what comes next. We don’t have to solve everything in one appointment. Our first meeting is the beginning of building a trusting therapeutic relationship, identifying what matters most to you, and creating goals that feel meaningful and realistic. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationships, self-esteem, substance use, a major life transition, or simply feeling like you’ve lost your footing, we will take it one step at a t
Strengths
One of the greatest strengths I bring to therapy is my ability to meet people where they are while also helping them move toward where they want to be. My approach is warm, person-centered, strength-based, and collaborative. I strive to create a safe and nonjudgmental environment where you can speak openly, feel genuinely heard, and know that all parts of your story are welcome. I believe strongly in the importance of holding space. Sometimes you need solutions and practical tools, and sometimes you simply need someone to sit with you in what you are experiencing without immediately trying to fix it. I bring empathy, patience, curiosity, and genuine human connection into my sessions. I listen not only to what you are saying, but also for the patterns, emotions, strengths, and needs that may be underneath the surface. At the same time, my style is not entirely passive. As our relationship and trust develop, I am comfortable gently pushing back, challenging unhelpful patterns, and asking the questions that may help you see yourself or your situation differently. I believe we can be compassionate with ourselves while still being accountable for the changes we want to make. My goal is never to tell you what to do, but to help you develop greater insight, recognize your choices, and feel more confident making decisions that align with the person you want to be. I also bring a sense of hope, authenticity, and appropriate humor into the therapy room. I believe therapy can address very serious and painful experiences without every moment having to feel heavy. Whether we are working through anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, substance use, or major life changes, I will help you recognize the resilience and strengths you already possess while developing new tools for the areas where you may be struggling. Ultimately, I see therapy as a partnership. You are the expert on your life, and my role is to walk alongside you with compassion, clinical knowledge, honesty, and encouragement. I want you to leave our sessions not only feeling supported, but also with a deeper understanding of yourself, greater confidence in your ability to handle life’s challenges, and a growing belief that meaningful change is possible.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is an adolescent, adult, or older adult who may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or simply ready for something in life to feel different. I welcome individuals of all genders and backgrounds. You do not need to have everything figured out or even know exactly what you need from therapy—sometimes knowing that you are struggling and wanting support is enough of a place to begin. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, stress, substance use concerns, emotional overwhelm, and major life transitions. You may be navigating family conflict, divorce or separation, loneliness, school or career pressures, caregiving, difficulty setting boundaries, or the loss of someone or something deeply meaningful. You may also recognize that experiences from your past continue to affect how you feel, relate to others, or see yourself today. For adolescents, challenges may include self-esteem, anxiety, depression, peer and family relationships, school pressures, identity, and emotional regulation. Adults may be balancing relationships, parenting, careers, trauma, recovery, or changing life roles. Older adults may be navigating retirement, caregiving, loneliness, grief, changing relationships, or finding meaning and purpose in a new chapter. I especially enjoy working with clients who want a therapist who is compassionate and supportive while also willing to gently challenge them when appropriate. You don’t need to be perfectly motivated or ready to change everything. You simply need to be willing to show up as you are. Together, we can create a safe space to understand what you’re experiencing, recognize your strengths, develop healthier ways of coping, and work toward meaningful and lasting change.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
My approach to therapy is integrative and individualized, meaning I draw from different therapeutic approaches based on your needs, goals, experiences, and where you are in your life. Through a psychodynamic lens, I help clients explore how past experiences, relationships, attachment patterns, and unresolved emotions may be influencing present-day thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relationships. The goal is not to stay focused on the past, but to develop greater insight into patterns that may be showing up today so you can make more intentional choices moving forward. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal skills, and Solution-Focused Therapy to build upon existing strengths and identify practical steps toward change. I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore ambivalence, strengthen their own motivation, and make changes that align with their personal values and goals. My work is also trauma-informed, with an emphasis on emotional safety, trust, collaboration, choice, and empowerment. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I strive to understand the whole person and thoughtfully blend insight-oriented work with practical skills. Together, we can explore where certain patterns began, understand how they may be affecting you today, and develop healthier ways of thinking, coping, relating, and moving forward.
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- FloridaLicense SW26610