Humanistic Therapists in Belchertown, MA

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.

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.

Ready to dive deep? As a graduate of Hartford Family Institute, I am a seasoned guide with 40 years of experience. I’m here to help you untangle life's complexities in a friendly, down-to-earth manner. Would you like more joy and satisfaction in your life? Are you longing to be your more authentic self? I would be happy to meet and give you my genuine, compassionate attention. I have 40 years of experience helping people take a deep dive into how they got to where they are, untangle the gnarled web beneath the surface and understand themselves in new and empowering ways.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

My role as a psychologist is to help you learn, get unstuck, and take control in your life. By creating a safe, nonjudgmental space, I hope to encourage your sense of connection, empowerment, and insight as we address your concerns. I believe the quality of the therapist-client relationship is the most important foundation of good therapy, and I work collaboratively with clients using several approaches, including CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based psychotherapy.

My ideal clients are interested in improving their self awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I treat any of the following issues: depression, anxiety, anger, substance abuse, relationship issues, sexual behaviors, trauma, domestic violence, low self-esteem, eating disorders, attention deficit difficulties, autism, schizophrenia, stress management, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, child behavior and attitude problems, school behavior, low motivation, weight loss, quitting smoking, grief and loss of a loved one, divorce, parenting issues, co-dependency, pain management, social skills development, bi-polar disorder, abusive family situations, work problems, shame/inappropriate guilt, and negative thinking but treat many more issues.

Life introduces so many challenges which can be painful and difficult. Sometimes we feel that we have no control over what is happening around us. Do you feel sad, stressed out, stuck in day to day life? I provide a safe, supportive, interactive, compassionate place where you can explore thoughts, feelings and identify patterns that do not serve you anymore.

We are all on our own life path. The path isn’t always straight forward. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, sometimes we need a little focus or footing. Life can be difficult to navigate, but together we will work to identify solutions to your detours, hurtles and obstacles so you can regain your footing and get you back on your life’s path. I work with individuals age 10-65 in person (Palmer Office) and virtually.