Tara McBrearty, LCSW
Experienced LCSW for relationship and life changes
Details
| Name | Tara McBrearty |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 30 |
About Tara
Tara McBrearty is a licensed clinical social worker in California with 30 years of experience helping people navigate relationship and life challenges. She supports people dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, addiction, sleep problems, and struggles with self-esteem and intimacy. Her style is warm and cooperative and aims to make hard conversations feel manageable.
In sessions she listens first and follows each person's story. She uses narrative ideas to help people separate themselves from painful patterns and rewrite the parts of their life story that feel stuck.
Background and approach
She also draws on client-centered work to keep the focus on the person's goals and experience in the room. She blends practical tools from cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness and motivational interviewing when helpful. That combination helps people notice thoughts and behaviors that hold them back, build small skills, and stay motivated for change.
Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented rather than a lecture. Tara often explores issues around attachment, abandonment, family of origin, blended family stress, communication problems, and commitment concerns. She also supports people working through guilt, shame, impulsivity, loneliness, dissociation, and caregiver strain.
People choose her when they want steady, experienced support while making real-life changes. She aims to create a tolerant, creative space where clients can try new approaches, repair important relationships, and take steps toward work and personal goals.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Relationship issues, Intimacy-related issues, Self esteem among the things Tara works with, alongside the areas below.
- Relationship issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Grief
- Sleeping disorders
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Tara among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Tara among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Tara among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Tara among the ways she works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Tara among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Tara directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Tara directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How these approaches work online
Many of her methods translate well to remote sessions. Narrative therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and helps separate a person from the problems they face, which can clarify relationship and identity concerns. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and unconditional acceptance so clients set the pace and goals for their work together. Cognitive behavioral therapy offers concrete techniques to notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, useful for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. She collaborates with each person to match methods to their goals and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress is made. That means trying an idea, checking how it feels, and shifting course when needed so the plan fits the person's life.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is helpful for deeper, conversational sessions when visual cues matter. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit a break at work or a busy day. Live chat and messaging offer brief check-ins, ongoing encouragement, and a way to practice tools between sessions. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into everyday routines.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Tara help with?
She works with relationship and intimacy issues, self-esteem struggles, career concerns, and coping with life changes. She also supports people with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, sleep problems, and addictions.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is cooperative and client-focused, with a warm, tolerant tone. Sessions are conversational and aim to make difficult topics feel manageable.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 30 years of professional experience as a clinician working with a wide range of relational and personal concerns.
Where does she practice and what are her credentials?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, based in California and holds the CA LCSW credential.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English only and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for online work. Clients can choose the format that fits their schedule and needs.
How are costs and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Tara are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Tara where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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