- CBT strategies
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness work
About Tara
Tara Hartley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois with nine years of clinical experience. She works with adults on problems such as depression, anxiety, relationship stress, addiction, grief, parenting strain, and anger. Sessions focus on everyday problems and practical skills rather than labels.
Tara blends straightforward talk and skill building. She uses client-centered methods alongside cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior approaches. That means clients can expect a mix of exploring what matters to them, examining unhelpful thought patterns, and learning ways to regulate strong emotions.
She also draws on existential and mindfulness ideas to help people reflect on values and notice what is happening in the moment. Those elements are brought in when people want help with meaning, coping with life changes, or staying present during stressful moments.
Her background includes several years working with people who experienced trauma and two years as a substance abuse counselor. That experience informs her work with relationship problems, domestic violence survivors, addiction, and complicated grief.
Tara aims to be direct and interactive in sessions. Conversations tend to include practical strategies, skill practice, and check-ins on what is or isn’t working. If someone wants help managing anger that comes up at work or in relationships, she focuses on concrete tools to notice triggers and respond differently.
People who choose her often want hands-on approaches they can try between sessions. Her style favors clear goals and steady progress rather than vague talk alone.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work
Client-centered work focuses on what matters to the person. Sessions begin by listening to the client's concerns and priorities, then shaping conversations around those goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors to reduce distress and change patterns that fuel anger and anxiety. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes practical skills for regulating intense emotions, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness.Choosing which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit the person's needs, and adjust over time based on what helps. That way the work stays relevant to managing anger, relationship conflict, or related stressors.
This profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten commute time, and allow for brief check-ins during a workday. Some approaches lend themselves to skill practice between sessions, and those exercises can be reviewed together during video or phone meetings. The practical aim is to help clients use therapy tools in everyday situations without promising any particular format.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger issues does she address?
She works with adults who want to handle anger that appears in relationships, at work, or as ongoing resentment. The focus is on practical ways to notice triggers and respond differently.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a mix of client-centered conversation, cognitive behavioral techniques, and dialectical behavior skills. Sessions tend to be interactive and skill-focused.
How much experience does she have?
She has nine years of experience as a clinician, including two years as a substance abuse counselor and work with trauma survivors. That background informs work on addiction and trauma-related issues.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Illinois.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies by location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided when selecting services.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.