Tara McBrearty

Tara McBrearty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California with 30 years of experience. She helps people who feel stuck after change, are questioning what matters next, or who are struggling with relationship and intimacy concerns. Tara also works with issues such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, addictions, grief, low self-esteem, and stress related to career or caregiving.

She aims for a cooperative and tolerant style in sessions. That means listening closely, asking direct questions, and helping people name what matters most. Clients can expect practical conversations about relationship patterns, communication, and barriers to intimacy. She also discusses career doubts and the obstacles that keep people from making changes.

Tara uses approaches that include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. In practice she pulls from these methods to help people notice unhelpful thoughts, change behaviors that get in the way, and reframe personal stories that feel stuck. Mindfulness tools are used to manage stress and anxiety in the moment.

Her work often pays attention to attachment issues, abandonment, family of origin dynamics, and feelings of emptiness or isolation. She also addresses communication problems, control and impulsivity, and the particular strains of blended family or caregiver roles. Conversations may include setting goals related to career direction or rebuilding trust in relationships.

Tara’s approach is conversational and grounded. She values clarity and helps people take concrete steps toward change. To begin, prospective clients are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.

How her therapeutic approaches work online

Tara draws from Client-Centered Therapy to keep the focus on the person’s concerns. That approach emphasizes listening carefully, reflecting what the client says, and helping clients find their own solutions. It is useful for people who need space to sort out values and feelings.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thoughts and test them against real-life evidence. CBT involves short experiments and practical steps, which can help with anxiety, sleep problems, and mood. Mindfulness Therapy is used to teach simple attention and breathing practices that reduce reactivity and improve concentration during stressful times.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative part of the work. Tara discusses options with each client, considers their goals and preferences, and adjusts methods over time. The goal is to find what fits the person rather than prescribe a single path.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm the current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-in meetings when schedules demand it. Licensed professionals commonly use video for sessions, though different formats serve different needs; verify which formats Tara offers when you schedule.