Hello and Welcome! My name is Tara and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I received my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Southern California (USC) and my Bachelors in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). My experience comes from a combination of working in a college setting, private practice, residential treatment center for teens, and more unconventionally, in matchmaking and dating apps.
My experiences have allowed me to be fortunate enough to work with individuals, couples, and groups from all different backgrounds, with various diagnoses and concerns, in very different capacities. I have a sincere interest in what brings you to therapy now and the subtleties that have brought us together. Your past and your perspective world help me to understand you better in the context of the various systems you are a part of. We are individuals part of societal, work, familial, romantic, and cultural systems, etc. and each of those may play a significant role in the way we work together to move forward.
I recognize that beginning therapy, especially for the first time, can feel uncomfortable or scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Upon our first interaction, my goal is to make you feel comfortable and provide you with as much information and knowledge about the process as you need. It is important for me that you find a therapist that seems like a good fit for you and that you and I can create a space that will be insightful and beneficial for you.
For those looking for a space to process the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, we'll work to establish a space that promotes healthy coping.
Whether it's a new relationship, a past one, or a possible future one, we will explore your goals and your habits to pave the way for healthier relationships in your life.
My approach to working with anxiety is to work with it, not against it. When we lead with curiousity and empathy, we put ourselves in a better position to find options that feel and work better.
Taking steps towards any degree can be stressful, and students often have more than just that on their plate. We can work to process the complexities and find a better balance while working towards your goals.
You may work for a major business or company, entertain many, be a top performing athlete, or produce masterpieces, but sometimes still find yourself feeling stuck, uninspired, or unfulfilled. Together we can explore various aspects of your life and see what may be contributing to your concerns.
Perhaps your business is having a large turnover rate, your staff may not be getting along, or you are a doctor who would like to better their bedside manner. Whatever it may be, I'm interested in helping you observe and approach your problem from an angle that will lend itself to a more positive outcome.