About TARA
Tara LaDue, MA, AMFT
Hi, I am Tara!
Pronouns: she/her
My heart is full when I'm working with children of all ages, getting down to their level and allowing them a safe space to “be,” express themselves, and feel accepted. As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, I have worked with young children, school-age children, teens, and women.
This powerful quote by Charles Bukowski, “Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?” is in the back of my mind when I work with children. Today’s kids have so much pressure to “be” a certain way. This causes kids to hide parts of themselves, not use their voice, and stuff feelings that are very important to express. I like to create a space for kids to be vulnerable, and authentic and feel secure enough to stay that way through their adult life.
I have worked with children and teens who experience neurodivergence, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional dis-regulation. I have worked with children and teens who experience neurodivergence, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotion regulation. I use play therapy, art therapy, somatic practices like breathing, mindfulness practice, and yoga with children. I also enjoy working with parents to help them understand their child’s brain and how to work together peacefully when conflicts arise. I am a certified yoga and meditation teacher and trained in Young & Healthy's art-based mindfulness program for school-aged children.
I am trained in EMDR and love using this modality with children and women who have experienced trauma. EMDR helps deprogram old coping skills that were needed after a traumatic event but are no longer serving the person in the present. EMDR helped me personally in many ways which is why I was moved to get trained in this trauma processing modality. With adults I also use Narrative Therapy, CBT, Art Therapy and Meditation.
I am an anti-racist. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming. I am an ally and advocate for diverse groups and communities. I may not get things right all the time, but I am willing to learn, do better, and improve social justice and inclusivity.
My favorite self-care go-to's:
Walking any beach and looking for shells
BOBA!!!
Journaling while listening to mantra music
Doing photo shoots with my bunnies, Ethel and Harold, and my Shihtzu, Chewee
I look forward to meeting you soon!
AMFT #131041
Supervised by Annalise Kordell, LCSW 28268