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Tara Wiker, LCSW, CCTP-II, LCSW - Pennsylvania Therapist at Grow Therapy

Tara Wiker, LCSW, CCTP-II

Tara Wiker, LCSW, CCTP-II

(she/her)

LCSW
13 years of experience
Virtual

Are you having difficulty managing tough emotions? Do you find that past stuff is getting in your way of living life to the fullest? I can help! I am a Bilingual (English/ Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years experience in the therapy domain. I received my Bachelor's in Social Work from Temple University in 2004 and my Master's in Social Work from Millersville University in 2012. I have particular experience and training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) as well as various treatment protocols to treat trauma. Helping clients navigate trauma and it's impact on our lives is my passion! I am an EMDR Certified Therapist, hold a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Level 2 Certification and a Certificate in Trauma Therapy from The Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute. Life can be difficult and throw at us many different challenges that leave us feeling lost, confused and alone. I am confident that I would be able to help you navigate those challenges and learn new ways of coping that will help you live the life that you want. I look forward to working with you and am encouraged by your courage to reach out for support!

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

During our sessions together, you can expect to feel safe and heard. Since an important part of the effectiveness of therapy is about your relationship with your therapist, I want you to get a feel for who I am as a person and what I can offer you. As a primarily person-centered practitioner, we will start with whatever you feel comfortable with. I will ask about your history and presenting problems so I can get a feel of which therapeutic interventions and modalities will be best matched to help you reach your therapy goals. My clients often leave sessions with different skills and insights that are aligned with these goals.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I am a human, and as a human, I have experienced my own struggles and difficulties throughout life that I have had to work through. Taking what I have learned along the way and using it to help others has been something I have been passionate about for most of my life. I believe that clients have the answers to their struggles within themselves and I seek to utilize the therapeutic relationship to assist my clients in realizing their potential for growth and change.

About Tara Wiker, LCSW, CCTP-II

Identifies as

Specializes in

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Appointments

Free consults, virtual

My treatment methods

Attachment-based

I have been utilizing attachment-based therapeutic interventions for over 12 years with a variety of different clients. Attachment-based therapy is a brief counseling style that focuses on building trust and expressing emotions. It can help prevent or treat mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In my work with couples, I seek to help them understand how attachment style may be impacting relationship dynamics and provide helpful ways to change their interactions.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I’ve been using CBT in my practice for over 12 years. It’s helped dozens of clients challenge reoccurring thoughts and manage their anxiety and depression. We’ll use CBT to recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. We’ll then use that knowledge to change your thinking patterns, which will help you lead a less anxious and stressed life. I also hold a certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I have particular training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and helped run a comprehensive DBT program in my work in community mental health. I also have training in the DBT-Prolonged Exposure protocol to treat trauma in clients that may be experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT is a skills-based therapy and I use the skills with my clients to help them improve symptoms and learn new ways of coping.

EMDR

EMDR is a type of therapy that helps to treat traumatic memories and has been thoroughly researched to be one of the most effective trauma treatments out there. I am trained in EMDR through the Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute and am an EMDR Certified Therapist. I have worked with many clients throughout the last 5 years, both online and in-person, to resolve traumatic experiences with the EMDR protocol.

Couples Counseling

I have over 5 years experience treating couples in the therapeutic setting. I utilize elements from Gottman Therapy as well as Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help couples improve communication and maximize their relationship. Relationships can be hard, and I enjoy helping my couples learn new and different ways of interacting that bring about life-long changes.