Therapists in Belchertown, MA

I have been working in the mental health field for many years and recognize that therapy is one of the most personal and difficult things someone can do. Because of this, I tailor my services and training to the unique needs of each of my clients.

My 30+ years of experience have shown me that learning, change and healing are possible. Therapy is a process of learning about yourself, accessing your feelings and beliefs and gaining clarity. Therapy can assist you in breaking through limitations that can block growth and your capacity for intimacy. Therapy often involves healing from old wounds and trying out new ways of coping and responding to life's demands. I work with individuals, couples and families. I also have specialization in stress management, communication, recovery from addictions and other compulsions. We work together to find out what will work for you.

Do you ever feel that no matter how hard you try, you just "fail" every time? Do you look at yourself in the mirror with disgust and wonder why you feel so alone? Life is hard without all the challenges that meets us along the way. I am here to walk your journey with you. You are not alone. Together we can meet life's challenges; whether it is a loss of a loved one, nightmares that come from a traumatic event, feelings of loneliness and unworthiness, anxiety, relationship problems, suicidal thoughts and self harming behaviors, brokenness, chronic pain and illness, death and dying. You do not need to journey alone.

As a life coach and therapist our work together is about having focused, intentional conversations. The intention is an agreement between us to create a specific journey together to reach your goal. The goal can be anything you wish to move toward in your life. It could be about getting more of what you want in your relationships from partnering to parenting, goals for work or school etc., or more peace, confidence, purpose and direction for your life’s path.

I practice soul work, helping restore and heal our connection to our deepest Self. I especially work with military and veterans, spiritual seekers, writers and artists in all genres, mid-life crises, men's issues, trauma and abuse survivors. I welcome clients seeking positive and comprehensive growth and change, a discovery or restoration of their gifts and creativity, and a deep healing relationship "out of the box." I do not practice conventional therapy for merely repairing our issues and adjusting to unhappy conditions. Rather, I nurture the unique soul and spirit in each person toward achieving meaning and creativity.

My approach to treatment is grounded in the understanding that psychotherapy is a healing art that can provide deep transformation and symptom relief. I offer a holistic approach to mental health treatment because I understand the importance of the mind/body connection. I employ a variety of techniques within a psychodynamic framework. I strive to create a safe therapeutic environment so that clients can explore their inner worlds to reveal the psychological conflicts that interfere with their goals and ultimately their pursuit of happiness.

My practice empowers clients who are seeking to live a rich life - one which involves mountain-top moments that imprint in our memories and shape our character as well as the inevitable loss, disappointment, monotony, and struggle. I employ a strength-based and integrative approach to help my clients find joy in the struggle, seek peace with intention, reignite passion, and choose hope. I work with adult clients of all ages including college and graduate students, work/life balancers, career starters and changers, soon-to-be and new mothers, parents, care-providers of aging parents, LGBTQ+, empty nesters, and retirees.

WHAT GOOD IS A THERAPY IF YOU CAN'T COMPLETELY TRUST YOUR THERAPIST? CONFIDENTIALITY MUST BE "CARVED IN STONE". There is an illusion of privacy that truly doesn't exist when using insurance for your therapy. Personal details and a "Clinical Diagnosis" labeling you with a MENTAL ILLNESS is entered into permanent files, and can be accessed far more easily than you realize. FOR YOU TO FEEL SAFE & AUTHENTIC IN YOUR THERAPY, I DO NOT TAKE INSURANCE, OR KEEP CLINICAL NOTES & HAVE NO "PAPER TRAIL". What I Do Have is a Deep Devoted Love for this Work, and Great Respect for your Very Personal Choices on Your Life's Journey.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have over thirty years of clinical experience working in various settings. I am genuinely interested in learning about what is important to my clients and starting where they are at. I have a long history of working in both the individual and family services industry and am skilled in working with all ages. I have specialized trainings in trauma therapies, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), and in grief & bereavement.

Life does not go according to a plan or road map, as much as we would like it to. Sometimes we need a little help in regaining our focus or footing. Do you need someone to help you find your inner strength to be the best possible version of yourself? Are you ready to make a change in your life but not sure how to go about it? Maybe you need to make a change but are not quite ready. If you said yes to any of these or have other concerns, I would like to help you.

After 40 years in practice, I consider myself a midwife helping you birth your authentic self. I believe that our original sources of emotional pain continue to cause us distress through our lives. Together we can examine how life experiences have taught you to be in the world and create new possibilities for the future. I focus on the whole person, acknowledging that growth happens on many levels. Rather than diagnose, I seek to understand and guide.

Finding a good therapist who fits your style and needs is difficult. Sometimes having contact by phone/email can help you to decide. I welcome that. Therapy is a process built on a good client/therapist connection. I have an easy going, calm approach to therapy that meets the client wherever they are at. Therapy with me is a combination of talking and listening. We take turns. I often have a busy practice but do my best to fit in new clients who are a good fit- available when I am, have insurance that will cover me, and bring clinical issues I have experience in.

My social work training encouraged deep listening and respect. "To begin where the client". From my trainings in Psychosynthesis, Spiritual Direction, Grief work and EMDR my focus is on the possibility of healing and change. From many years working with clients in 12 step programs I have seen close up how transformation happens. I work directly with Tara Brach's RAIN process which is Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nuture. This process helps bring compassion and acceptance to all those cut off parts of ourselves. I mostly work short term and stay focused on the goals we set together.

I specialize in using mindfulness, meditation, movement, nutrition, supplementation, and holistic modalities. I enjoy working with people seeking to make a change in their health and discover their inner-potential. I work with adolescents, young adults, adults, elderly, couples and families.

Has your loss been life-changing - perhaps deeply disorienting? Are friends and family expecting you to get over it, but you simply can't? I have been a grief counselor for over 25 years, and have worked with all sort of loss issues. While grief can be crazy-making and terribly painful, I know that with grace and in time, you can discover safe, effective ways of moving through your grief and learn to live well again.

It is a new year. You have an opportunity to find a path that fosters peace of mind. This requires intention, honesty, and a willingness to change yourself. When life circumstances are met with uncertainty + anguish, we suffer. A mindfulness approach reduces stress to make room for joy.

I provide skilled and compassionate psychotherapy for adults of all ages who are dealing with difficult life challenges. Feel free to contact me if you are having emotional, personal, work, or relationship difficulties, and want a safe setting in which to address your problems. Your challenges may involve anxiety, depression, relationship or parenting issues, grief and loss, identity issues, or PTSD symptoms. I can guide you in addressing these concerns, achieving a broader understanding of yourself and your circumstances, and tapping into your inner resources.

It has been my privilege to work as a clinical social worker/therapist for over 25 years. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, adults and elders. Each client presents a unique set of needs and strengths.

Tarn was adopted and raised in Southern Vermont on a farm. She has always loved helping others so the decision to become a therapist came easy. She first attended Community College in Vermont before continuing on to earn a BA in Sociology from Smith College in Northampton, MA. Tarn then attended the Smith College School for Social Work where she earned a Masters in Social Work (MSW). She has since worked in a variety of positions throughout her career which have assisted her in becoming an eclectic therapist with a wealth of knowledge in several facets of social work and life.