LOCATION: Wilbury Road and Online
AVAILABILITY: Mondays 11 am - 1 pm, Fridays 5 pm - 7 pm
PRICE: £50 per session. (Free 30min introductory session)
SPECIALISMS:
Bereavement and loss
Maternal and Perinatal Mental Health
Neurodivergence
Anxiety and depression
Identity & Self-esteem
Mid-life challenges
Relationship difficulties
End-of-life and terminal diagnoses
Caring for someone who is terminally ill

Training

Tara holds a diploma in counselling from The Link Centre and a post-graduate certificate in humanistic psychotherapy from Brighton University. Tara is a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). She is trained in Transactional Analysis at the Link Centre and has a deep interest in other types of therapeutic modalities, continually seeking out additional training, most recently in trauma, attachment theory, two-chair work, working with bereaved children, working with postnatal depression, and interpersonal biology and polyvagal theory.

Tara has worked with adults and young people with lots of different emotional and mental health-related issues. These include counselling for the NHS Perinatal Mental Health Team for East Sussex and St. Peter & St. James Hospice.

Approach

Tara's approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, empathy, and a deep respect for each individual's unique experiences. She creates a warm, non-judgmental space where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and challenges. Tara believes in the transformative power of self-understanding and uses talking therapy to help clients gain insights into their patterns, beliefs, and behaviours.

Drawing on various therapeutic techniques, including Compassion-Focused Therapy, Tara adapts her approach to meet each client's specific needs. She emphasises the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship and fostering trust and openness. Tara works collaboratively with her clients, empowering them to develop practical coping strategies and resilience.
Her goal is to guide clients towards greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Through this process, Tara supports individuals in navigating life's challenges, improving relationships, and cultivating a more fulfilling and authentic life.

Bereavement and Loss

Bereavement is often one of life's most challenging and traumatic experiences, capable of overwhelming us at any stage of our lives. Tara is an experienced bereavement counsellor dedicated to supporting those navigating this difficult journey. Her two-year tenure as a volunteer counsellor at St. Peter and St. James' Hospice provided her with invaluable insights into the various stages of grief and their complexities as well as experience working and supporting people who were themselves at the end of their lives.

Tara adopts a collaborative approach, tailoring her methods to each client's unique needs. Through compassionate dialogue and personalised strategies, Tara assists bereaved individuals in beginning to process the profound feelings associated with losing a loved one. While counselling cannot eliminate the pain of loss, it offers a valuable sanctuary for exploring difficult emotions. Tara provides a safe space allowing you to express complex, painful feelings and thoughts that you might hesitate to share with others.

Whether you're concerned about burdening loved ones or fear judgment, counselling provides an environment of acceptance and understanding. Here, you can freely voice your grief, knowing that your experiences will be heard and validated without criticism or pressure.

Maternal and Perinatal Mental Health

Tara has a particular interest and experience in the field of maternal and perinatal mental health having worked with the East Sussex NHS Perinatal Mental Health Team. Her expertise focuses on supporting women during pregnancy and the first year postpartum, a critical period when up to 27% of new and expectant mothers may face mental health challenges.

With a compassionate understanding of the complexities surrounding new motherhood, Tara can help you navigate the potential stresses and identity dilemmas that can arise during this big life change. She uses Compassion-focused therapy, bringing warmth and understanding to help women cope with the mixed emotions and challenges they may encounter and help remove the shame and stigma that can sometimes go hand in hand with perinatal and maternal mental health issues. This approach is particularly beneficial for those grappling with the profound identity shifts that often accompany motherhood. Tara creates a safe space for women to explore their changing roles, relationships, and self-perceptions, fostering resilience and self-compassion.

Neurodivergence

Tara has a deep passion for working with neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and learning differences like Dyslexia. Her expertise spans both young people and adults who receive later-life diagnoses.

Through talking therapy, Tara helps neurodivergent individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their unique strengths, and challenges. This self-awareness can be transformative, fostering self-acceptance and developing coping strategies.

Tara also provides crucial support to those living with neurodivergent individuals, helping them navigate relationships and communication more effectively. Her approach emphasises empathy, understanding, and practical strategies for creating supportive environments. Additionally, Tara offers specialised support to parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people, guiding them through the complexities of caregiving, advocating for their child's needs, and maintaining their own well-being in the process.