Welcome! I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and have been working in the mental health field throughout the majority of my adult life. If you're here, then you've taken the first step of considering counseling. You deserve to have the bravery of that first step recognized - because it is indeed BRAVE. Starting counseling can feel scary and overcoming that can be a challenge. So congratulations! Now let's get started.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
When we first meet I will begin to get to know you as a whole person. I will ask you to discuss in more detail what has inspired you to come for counseling and will be happy to answer any questions you have about the process and my professional background and style. I have a great track record of helping my clients feel welcome and at ease in what can be an unsettling situation so you should find it to be comfortable.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of the most common questions I hear early on from clients is, "Is that normal?" To which I typically respond, "Define normal. And good luck with that." One person's "normal" is bizarre to someone else. I don't care about "normal." I care about functioning. Does it work or does it cause problems? That is the question. In all of my time as a therapist, I have yet to be shocked by a client so never ever worry about that with me. I will accept you. I will challenge you. I will not judge you.
About Tamara Bass
Specializes in
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is the "gold standard" for counseling for a reason. The evidence that it is accurate - and works- is overwhelming. And I have found it to be effective with my clients.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling is my first love and, according to my clients, I have been successful in helping many to address and resolve their difficulties.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Culturally competent counseling is a passion of mine. I will never know exactly what the experience is of a person of an ethnicity, gender, sex, or sexuality other than mine. And it starts with that knowledge. There have been too many stories of people having their experiences as, for instance, a BIPOC person minimized by their counselor. I can promise that I will always do my best to prevent this from ever happening in sessions with me.
Integrative
Some treatment methods have been shown to be more effective with some problems than others. While my fundamental focus is on CBT, I integrate elements of a person-centered approach and other methods, such as ACT, mindfulness, solution-focused, motivational interviewing, as needed.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Consistent use of these techniques has been shown to increase our sense of well-being.