Tara Bartel, LICSW, PCIT

I like to use a unique modern-day approach to work with and support individuals and families through a direct style to help clients make forward progress. I enjoy working with individuals/families/couples to help explore where you are now and help to create and meet future goals. I am compassionate and resourceful and will always provide effective tools and strategies to help tackle various everyday obstacles in life, from crisis intervention to support after a long week. I strive to be a great listener that values personal relationships and comes with an unbiased and non-judgmental perspective.

I have a passion for communication and how it helps to support relationships. Relationships can be misunderstood, confusing, and hard to validate their importance when we are feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Relationships, however, are a necessary part of our daily lives and it is important to work to enhance them the best way we can. I am currently writing a book and a workbook to help support healthy communication in many different types of relationships; partner, family, children, and work. I am always continuing my education to support the changing needs of our community and clients.

My therapeutic approach is influenced by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivation- Interviewing to elicit behavioral changes, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, along with therapeutic communication techniques.

As a therapist, I feel it is important to understand the reason an individual, family, or couple has sought out therapy first. The reason will lead to the type of therapy needed, which generally encompasses focusing on the presenting problems and then exploring deeper issues.

As a therapist, I think it is important to identify where a client is to determine if they need me to lead the session or if they are looking for a therapist to follow their lead. I am open to exploring what works best for the needs of each client: When working with couples it is important to lead more often to allow both participants to feel heard.

My strengths as a therapist are being mindful of even the smallest of things being said as they may hold important information about a bigger issue. I bring compassion, caring, and non-biased therapy to support individuals, families, and couples in need.

I would love to have would be to breathe underwater as I am fascinated with the ocean, rivers, and lakes.

Silly things make me laugh…could be a joke from a child to a funny commercial. Laughter brightens up our hearts.