Tara completed one of two master’s degrees, the MS in Clinical Counseling with an Addictions concentration and is currently pursuing her Art Therapy in Counseling from Emporia State University. In Kansas, Tara is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) while in Missouri, she is a PLPC (Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor) and holds the MAADC II credential (Missouri Associate Alcohol Drug Counselor) for work with clients struggling with substance use disorders.
Completing her BA from the University of Kansas and prior to pursuing her two master’s degrees, Tara was a professional photographer throughout California and the midwest for 2 decades photographing families, couples, infants, corporate environments, red carpet events, and the intimate celebratory moments of engagement, weddings, and baptisms. Recognizing early on that her strong interest in human psychology set the stage for her ability to flow effortlessly within these different environments and the myriad of natural emotions that arise, she remained fascinated and eager to delight her clients by capturing their best selves. What a gift to be able to see all of the beauty in the world! It was in the 2nd decade of her photography career that Tara decided it was time to get back to her roots and pursue how she could deeply affect the lives of her fellows through meaningful dialogue within a safe and trusting relationship. Through her counseling education, Tara has become equipped with the language of healing. With a person-focused trauma-informed approach, Tara opens space for an individual to self-explore and engage in the remarkable journey of self-awareness, self-compassion, and the integration of the whole self. This is a conversation that Tara feels whole heartedly attuned to and brings her much joy. As a witness to individuals suffering from addictions, self-harm behaviors, interpersonal relationship challenges, guilt, denial, criminal activity, and many other self-sabotaging behaviors, Tara provides a window for seeing the best qualities in oneself and how to grow and promote one’s natural gifts. Through her lived experiences of family members struggling with addictions and learning about the roots of maladaptive coping behaviors, Tara is eager to assist her clients in building their own bridges to the lives they want to live. Depending upon the theories best suited for her client’s needs and their willingness to engage in the therapeutic process, Tara utilzes an integrative theoretical approach by combining CBT, MCBT, DBT, REBT, Reality, ACT, Experiential, Gestalt, MI, Existentialism, Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic theories. Whether through talk or art therapy, Tara is continually inspired as she encounters individuals seeking healing and is a compassionate and patient witness to such courageous pursuits.
Throughout her photography career, Tara continually sought further education of how she could provide care and healing to others. She has received her certificate of achievement in the trauma-informed Community Self-Care Demonstration Program and Trauma Resolution Workshop in partnership with Kaiser Permanente as both a Skilled Listener and Courageous Teller and was a co-facilitator of the Peer-to-Peer Trauma Resolution Community work through the Oklahoma City public school system and for residents of San Francisco, CA. Tara also has received her certificate of completion for the Power of Awareness training seminar hosted by Jack Kornfield, PhD and Tara Brach, PhD through The Awareness Training Institute in association with the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. She has also co-facilitated self-care educational services for incarcerated women in the San Francisco County Jail #2.
In her free time, Tara is an avid explorer whether through literature, travel, or adventourous walks with family, friends, and any four-legged companions. She enjoys cooking, engages in daily art activities for self-expressing and fulfilment of her creative drive, and is passionate about self-growth and mental well-being; Tara cannot, in good conscious, not practice what she promotes with her clients! Tara has traveled extensively to 5 continents and 35+ countries throughout her lifetime, however, these days, she finds great comfort in pursuing quality time with friends, family and staying connected to her community. Tara is excited to hear YOUR story and to collaboratively build a path towards a more fullfilling and joyful life for you and your loved ones.
Tara is accepting new clients at a reduced rate and you can contact her using the contact form, phone (913-712-4412 ext 116), or email (tara.doorsofhope@gmail.com)