About Tara
Tara McBrearty is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing relationship strain, intimacy concerns, low self-esteem, career obstacles, life transitions, stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, sleep problems, and depression. She brings 30 years of experience and a calm, collaborative presence to each session. Tara aims to help people regain confidence and move toward goals that matter to them.
Her style is warm and cooperative. She listens closely and encourages people to notice what matters most to them.
How Tara works
Sessions are practical and down-to-earth, with room for reflection and problem solving. Tara emphasizes building trust in oneself and in relationships. She uses several approaches to guide work in the room.
Client-centered work focuses on the person’s own experience and choices. Cognitive behavioral ideas help identify patterns of thought and behavior that get in the way. Narrative and mindfulness practices support people in rephrasing difficult stories and calming the body and mind.
Tara also draws from motivational interviewing to help people find their own reasons for change. Her goal is to help people move from feeling stuck to taking doable steps forward. She pays attention to issues like attachment, abandonment, family of origin concerns, and communication patterns.
People can expect clear, respectful feedback and practical options between sessions. Tara offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging when those formats fit the person’s needs. She practices in California as an LCSW.
Tara lists 6 ways of working on the entry:
What Tara works with
The areas below are the ones Tara selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Relationship issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Self esteem
Also listed
- Abandonment
- Addictions
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Self-love
- Sleeping disorders
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Stress, Anxiety
- Workplace issues
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 30 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | California |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Online approaches that meet you where you are
Tara uses client-centered therapy to focus on each person’s experience and goals. This approach means the therapist listens deeply and follows the person’s priorities, helping them name what matters and decide next steps. It is useful for relationship struggles, self-esteem, and figuring out life direction.She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and habits. CBT breaks concerns into smaller parts so you can test new behaviors and see what changes. This method often helps with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and patterns that interfere with work or relationships.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Tara will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts the plan over time based on what is helping and what is not.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video lets you see nonverbal cues and have a longer conversation. Phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and messaging can suit quick reflections, homework, or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and try different formats until one feels right.
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Common questions
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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