Hi! I’m Tara!
I work with girls and women who are navigating the effects of trauma, domestic violence, and emotional, physical, sexual, or spiritual abuse. You may be struggling with shame, self-doubt, anxiety, or difficulty trusting yourself and others. Maybe you've spent a long time putting other people's needs first, questioning your own experiences, or feeling disconnected from your voice and sense of self. You may be trying to make sense of what happened, rebuild a sense of safety, or figure out what healing looks like for you. I also have a strong interest in supporting individuals navigating body image concerns and disordered eating.
My approach is feminist, social justice-oriented, and trauma-informed. I see you as the expert in your own experience, and I believe therapy should be a space where you feel safe enough to be honest, ask questions, explore difficult emotions, and show up as you are. Our work together may involve exploring boundaries and relationships, reconnecting with your needs and values, and challenging the shame or self-blame that can follow trauma. We can also examine how family dynamics, cultural messages, gender expectations, and larger systems of power may have shaped the way you see yourself. My goal isn't to tell you who to be or what healing should look like, but to walk alongside you as you discover what feels right for you.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a community-based sexual assault advocate, supporting survivors throughout their healing journeys. That experience deepened my commitment to creating a space where survivors feel heard, believed, respected, and empowered to make decisions about their own lives. I recognize that trauma affects everyone differently, and I strive to honor your boundaries, respect your pace, and meet you where you are. You won't have to share more than you're ready to share, and you won't have to navigate the healing process alone.
I strive to create a therapeutic relationship that is authentic, collaborative, culturally responsive, and LGBTQIA+ affirming. I believe healing can involve questioning the societal expectations and power structures that leave us feeling silenced, ashamed, or pressured to conform. Together, we can explore which messages you've internalized, where they came from, and whether they align with the person you want to be. I want therapy to be a place where you feel valued and understood, where your strengths are recognized, and where there's room for both difficult conversations and moments of laughter, relief, and growth.
I am also passionate about providing youth with medically accurate, consent-centered sexual education that promotes healthy relationships, bodily autonomy, and informed decision-making.
When I'm not in therapist mode, you can usually find me hanging out with my three cats, Bunny, Rey, and Renn; spending time with friends and family; reading; listening to true crime podcasts; binge-watching TV shows; or enjoying an iced coffee.
Specialties: Trauma and PTSD, Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence, Religious Abuse, Body Image, Eating Disorders, Self Esteem, Sex-Positive; Kink Friendly, Teen Violence, Women's Issues
Locations: Barrel House, Inver Grove Heights
