About

Tara Rose (she/they), LICSW

Welcome.

My desire for you is to be more connected to yourself and others in a way that feels meaningful. I believe in the innate wisdom we all hold within our hearts as the guiding force that can lead us to a place of deep healing. This wisdom has often been clouded by experiences we have had growing up, systemic oppression, and wounds in relationships. I am here with you in your exploration and am committed to providing a safe place to land to explore the darkest and brightest corners of ourselves.

My work within the field comes from my own healing experiences with trauma and recovery from substance use. I was so lucky to work with amazing therapists along the way and experience the impact someone can have when held in a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic setting. I am a queer identified therapist and love working with others in my community, however also welcome anyone outside of my community who resonates with what I have to offer.

Outside of my work as a therapist I can be found exploring the beautiful PNW, tending to my chickens and yard, or simply cuddling with my three cats.

my approach

I practice from a trauma informed, humanistic, anti-oppressive, and strengths-based framework. I also draw from attachment and relational theories along with systems/parts work and narrative therapy.

I have completed a basic training course to utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I am currently receiving consultation by an EMDRIA approved consultant while I work towards certification.

I have a strong focus in trauma recovery and how the nervous system has learned to adapt to keep you safe. We will connect about how your experiences have shaped thoughts about yourself, behaviors, and emotions, and how these create barriers for the goals you have in your life. We will also explore and consider the impacts of systemic oppression on your identity and sense of self. I take a non-pathologizing approach to working my clients and do not focus on solely diagnostic criteria as a means of approaching care but rather a focus on the whole person.

I appreciate doing deeper work with clients and building a strong connection within the therapeutic relationship. Clients seeking a warm, compassionate, and patient therapist, will be a good fit for me. I also value incorporating humor and prioritize healthy boundaries. If you are looking for quick skill building tools and a therapist that is really direct we probably won’t be the best match. I wholeheartedly believe in your ability to be more connected with yourself and am excited to be with you on your journey.

Professional training and experience

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Washington and Oregon. I hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University. I have worked as a social worker with youth and adults in a variety of capacities for the past 11 years. Prior to working in a private practice setting I have worked as a therapist in community mental health settings with a focus on LGBTQ transitional age youth and adults who have experienced marginalization, homelessness, and addiction.

I have extensive experience with substance use and have largely worked within a harm reduction model allowing folks to freely explore and define their unique relationships with substance use. I hold a Certificate of Alcohol and Drug Counseling Level 2 (CADCII) with the state of Oregon. This certificate requires 300 hours of specialized training in substance use along with 4,000 hours of supervised experience in the field and the passing of a national exam.