- Relationship struggles
- Family of origin
- Mindfulness and CBT
About Tara
Tara McBrearty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 30 years of experience. She works with adults on relationship and intimacy concerns, self-esteem, career issues, stress and anxiety, grief, addictions, sleep problems, and depression. Tara also focuses on family of origin issues, attachment and abandonment, blended family concerns, and feelings of emptiness or isolation.
Her approach is practical and conversational. Sessions are client-centered and often use cognitive behavioral ideas and mindfulness techniques. She draws on narrative methods to help people make sense of their life stories and on motivational interviewing to support concrete change.
In a typical session she listens for patterns that repeat from the family someone grew up in. She points out how roles and expectations from childhood can shape adult choices. Then she and the client try small, doable steps to shift those patterns and test new ways of relating.
Tara describes her style as cooperative and tolerant. She aims to keep sessions focused and exploratory rather than directive. That can help people push through career obstacles, repair trust, or work through intimacy barriers.
Her thinking has been informed by a range of clinical writers and teachers. Over a long career she has integrated ideas from client-centered practice, narrative work, and mindfulness into a steady, plainspoken way of helping people manage life change and rebuild confidence.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what matters to a person. Online sessions using this approach tend to center the client's priorities and encourage exploration of feelings and values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and works on practical skills to change them. CBT is often used for anxiety, stress, sleep issues, and low mood in short, goal-oriented sessions.Deciding which approach to use is collaborative. Tara will discuss the different methods and help identify what seems most useful based on needs, goals, and what the client prefers. That conversation guides whether sessions emphasize skills practice, storytelling about family patterns, or mindful awareness exercises.
This therapist's session formats are not specified here, so confirm available options before booking. Online work can still fit around everyday life - it can make scheduling easier, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people keep momentum between sessions by practicing techniques at home or during work breaks.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with relationship and intimacy issues, self-esteem, career concerns, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, sleep problems, and family of origin issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach?
Her style is client-centered with practical use of cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, narrative methods, and motivational interviewing to support change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 30 years of professional experience working with adults on life transitions and relationship patterns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CA LCSW, practicing in California.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Costs vary by location and sessions operate through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.