Hello! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Pennsylvania. I received my Masters of Counseling Education degree from Saint Bonaventure University (NY) and went on to do post-graduate classes at Duquesne University (PA). I have been fully trained in EMDR since 2019 and am pursuing my certification which requires ongoing continuing education. I have been practicing professional counseling for 16 years. I help adults struggling with anxiety and depression brought on my life stressors, life transitions, or trauma.

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

In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions. I will highlight important policies and procedures that were covered in the paperwork you submitted before the first session and will answer any questions. Then we will dive into the specific challenges you're facing. I will ask questions about that help me understand the big picture of who you are as a person, what your impacting experiences have been, and how that may connect with what you are seeking therapy for. We will review any assessments you may have completed with the intake paperwork. By the end of the first session, we will have discussed a plan for how to approach these challenges.

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

I am a very empathetic and compassionate person. When we meet for our sessions, I am completely dialed into you and your needs. I also have a pretty excellent memory that has really served me well in helping clients sort through and organize information that comes up each session. My 16 years of experience has enabled me to refine my skills for identifying root causes quickly and creating a tailored plan that leads to measurable progress. I believe my experience has also made me skilled in thinking creatively about a problem and attuning to what the heart of an issue is. I have also collected so many resources that I have at the ready to recommend for specific issues or concerns that often aide in the therapeutic process.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I enjoy working with parents who find themselves feeling alone, helpless or frustrated with parenting (especially parents of kids with special needs), people who have trouble maintaining healthy relationships, people who struggle with standing up for themselves or believing in themselves or are anxious in social situations, people who have suffered a loss or experienced trauma. I love working with individuals who are ready to gain greater insight into themselves by digging deeper. They may come in feeling stuck or perhaps they've tried therapy in the past and are somewhat discouraged but they are open to trying new approaches; they are open to taking what they learn from sessions and making attempts to apply it in between appointments; they practice skills taught; they have a desire to be more introspective. This takes tremendous vulnerability and commitment. I am humbled and honored to walk alongside you in this journey.

About Tara Finau