Tara Tresslar, APC, NCC
She/her/hers
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a compassionate therapist with a big heart and a deep desire to make a difference. While I know I can’t help everyone, you have my word that I will be fully present in helping you reach your goals. As a proud ally of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I am dedicated to providing a safe, affirming space for those facing challenges in today’s world.
I have experience treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, grief, adjustment issues, and more, but I’m especially passionate about working with couples, trauma, and stress—helping clients build healthy coping strategies and prioritize self-care.
-
My approach is eclectic, drawing from CBT, DBT, person-centered therapy, Gottman principles, and holistic techniques, all tailored to your unique needs. I’m always learning, evolving, and finding new ways to make sure you feel truly seen and heard, and I am excited to work together with you and make meaningful change!
Book a consultation with me:
Are you and your partner arguing more than connecting? Do small disagreements spiral into big fights? Maybe you feel unheard, misunderstood, or that the spark has faded. Maybe trust has been broken, and you're unsure how to rebuild it.
Relationships are meant to be fulfilling, not exhausting. If it feels like you're stuck in the same arguments or just going through the motions, I’m here to help! Every couple faces ups and downs, but with the right tools, you can rebuild trust, strengthen your bond, and truly enjoy each other again.
As a visual person, I love using Gottman’s Sound Relationship House to identify cracks in your foundation—those places where issues get covered up instead of repaired. Together, we’ll uncover what’s not working and rebuild from the ground up, creating a stronger, more connected relationship.You don’t have to stay stuck in the same cycle. Let’s break the pattern, restore trust, and bring back the connection you deserve!
You don’t have to navigate these struggles alone—I’m here to support you with compassion, understanding, and the tools to help you build resilience, connection, and healing!
Compassionate and Culturally Inclusive Counseling for Individuals and Couples
Don't let the demands of daily life overwhelm your mental health, relationships, and well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, stress, uncertainty, and exhaustion can feel constant. Whether you're a parent navigating the challenges of raising children or simply struggling to keep up, it’s easy to feel drained.
Anxiety and depression are natural responses to stress, but they don’t define you. With the right tools, you can manage these feelings in a healthy way. In my practice, we focus on practical coping strategies, self-compassion, and emotional well-being to help you build resilience and balance—without guilt or unrealistic expectations.
As a mom of three, I know how hard it is to make time for yourself. But self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. My approach, shaped by my background as a health coach, moves beyond outdated dieting and rigid labels. When you embrace balance and self-love instead of striving for perfection, true healing happens. Let’s work together to help you feel more present, calm, and in control, no matter what life throws your way.
Self-Care: A Necessity for Anxiety & Depression
Your past does not define you—Your strength does
If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself and others—or if certain memories linger and emotions feel too heavy to carry—you may be experiencing the effects of unresolved trauma. It can shape your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and overall well-being, but healing is possible!
By exploring and processing these experiences in a safe, supportive space, you can release built-up pain, reduce triggers, and gain clarity. Using a strengths-based approach, I integrate interventions like narrative therapy, DBT, mindfulness, and self-compassion—tailored to your unique needs and at your own pace.
You don’t have to relive every detail of your trauma to heal, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel when you're pushed to share before you're ready. That won't be your experience here! Having faced my own trauma and loss, I’m deeply committed to truly seeing and supporting you. Healing is powerful, personal, and your strength shines not in spite of what you’ve been through, but because of the wisdom, resilience, and courage you carry within you.
My Specialties
-
At the heart of my approach is you—your experiences, your emotions, and your unique journey. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel truly seen and heard.
With unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuine support, I meet you where you are, helping you explore your thoughts and emotions at your own pace. There’s no pressure, no “one-size-fits-all” approach—just a collaborative, compassionate process focused on your growth, healing, and self-discovery.
-
You deserve to be heard, respected, and in control of your own story. I focus on helping you reclaim your autonomy, set healthy boundaries, and advocate for yourself in ways that feel safe and authentic. Whether you’re navigating difficult relationships, systemic barriers, or self-doubt, I provide a supportive space to challenge limiting beliefs and build self-trust.
As an affirming, culturally inclusive therapist, I don’t just listen—I help you step into your power. You are capable, worthy, and stronger than you know, and I’m here to help you see that too.
-
You deserve a space where you can show up as your full, authentic self—without fear, judgment, or the need to explain who you are. My approach to therapy is fully affirming, inclusive, and rooted in respect for your identity, experiences, and journey.
Whether you’re exploring your identity, navigating relationships, facing discrimination, or just needing a space where you feel truly seen, I’m here to support you. I provide a safe, validating environment where you can process, heal, and grow at your own pace. You are worthy of care, respect, and joy exactly as you are, and I’m honored to walk alongside you on this journey.
-
Relationships take work, and sometimes, even the strongest couples need help finding their way back to connection, trust, and understanding. Using Gottman-informed techniques, I help couples strengthen their bond by improving communication, deepening intimacy, and navigating conflict in a healthier way.
Together, we’ll focus on building friendship, enhancing emotional connection, and creating shared meaning in your relationship. Whether you’re struggling with recurring arguments, feeling disconnected, or simply want to strengthen your partnership, I provide a supportive space where both of you feel heard and valued.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone—I’m here to guide you with practical tools and insights so you can repair, reconnect, and build a relationship that feels fulfilling and secure.
-
Our thoughts have a powerful impact on how we feel and navigate the world. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or self-doubt, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that keep you stuck.
In our work together, we’ll explore how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. I’ll help you recognize negative thought loops, reframe self-defeating beliefs, and develop practical coping strategies to manage stress and emotional overwhelm. My approach is collaborative and supportive—I won’t just hand you a list of coping skills; we’ll work together to find what truly helps you feel more in control and at peace.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with small, intentional shifts, you can start to see real progress. You are not your thoughts, and you are capable of rewriting the narrative. I’m here to help you do just that.
-
I know that trauma can make the world feel unsafe, relationships feel complicated, and emotions feel overwhelming. That’s why my approach is gentle, compassionate, and always led by your comfort and needs. You are in control of your healing, and I’m here to support you—never to push or rush the process.
With trauma-informed care, I create a space where you feel safe, heard, and empowered. We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you, using approaches like mindfulness, grounding techniques, and body awareness to help you regulate emotions and reconnect with yourself. If and when you’re ready, we can gently explore past wounds, not to relive them, but to help you process, heal, and regain a sense of safety and control.
Your trauma does not define you. You deserve healing, and I’m here to help you find it—in a way that feels safe, validating, and empowering.
-
Struggling against your thoughts and emotions can feel exhausting—like you’re fighting a battle you can’t win. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you break free from that struggle by learning to accept what’s outside of your control and take meaningful action toward what truly matters to you.
In our work together, we’ll focus on mindfulness, self-compassion, and values-based living. Instead of getting stuck in negative thoughts or emotions, I’ll help you learn how to acknowledge them without letting them define you. We’ll practice techniques to create distance from unhelpful thoughts, so they no longer have power over your choices.
This is about more than just coping—it’s about embracing your full, authentic self and taking steps toward a life that aligns with your values. You don’t have to be “perfect” to move forward. You just have to be willing to take that first step, and I’m here to walk with you.
-
The stories we tell ourselves shape how we see the world, our relationships, and our own self-worth. Sometimes, those stories come from past experiences, societal expectations, or the words of others—and they don’t always serve us. Narrative therapy helps you step back, challenge those old narratives, and rewrite your story in a way that reflects your resilience, values, and truth.
In our work together, I’ll help you separate yourself from the problem and explore the bigger picture of your experiences. We’ll identify the themes in your story, challenge limiting beliefs, and highlight your strengths, growth, and the choices you have moving forward. You are not defined by your past or by what has happened to you—you have the power to reclaim your story and shape it in a way that empowers you.
Your voice matters. Your story matters. And together, we’ll work toward a version that feels authentic, hopeful, and true to who you are—not just who the world has told you to be.
-
Grief is messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal—there’s no “right” way to go through it. Whether you’re mourning a loved one, a relationship, a life transition, or even a version of yourself you’ve lost, your pain is real, and it deserves space to be felt and processed.
In grief therapy, I provide a safe, compassionate space where you can express your emotions without judgment or pressure to “move on.” Together, we’ll explore what your loss means to you, navigate the waves of grief, and find ways to honor both your pain and your healing. This isn’t about forgetting or forcing closure—it’s about learning to carry your grief in a way that allows you to keep moving forward while still holding love for what was.
You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here to walk alongside you, offering support, understanding, and gentle guidance as you find your way through the loss—at your own pace, in your own way.
-
Life can feel overwhelming when your mind is constantly racing—rehashing the past, worrying about the future, or feeling stuck in negative thought loops. Mindfulness-based therapy helps you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and find peace in the present moment.
In our work together, we’ll focus on practical mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, grounding exercises, and self-compassion practices to help you manage stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. This isn’t about “clearing your mind” or forcing yourself to feel calm—it’s about learning to notice your thoughts and emotions without letting them take over.
Through mindfulness, I’ll help you cultivate greater self-awareness, emotional balance, and a sense of inner calm—so you can respond to life’s challenges with more clarity and self-compassion. You don’t have to have it all figured out; you just have to start where you are. And I’ll be right there with you.
-
Emotions can feel like a storm—sometimes calm, sometimes overwhelming, and at times completely out of control. If you find yourself getting stuck in emotional highs and lows, feeling reactive, or struggling to manage stress, you’re not alone. Emotional regulation isn’t about suppressing feelings—it’s about learning how to understand, process, and respond to them in a way that serves you.
Together, we’ll explore what triggers your emotional responses and work on practical strategies to help you navigate them with more balance. This might include grounding techniques, mindfulness, breathwork, cognitive reframing, and self-soothing skills—all tailored to what works best for you.
The goal isn’t to avoid emotions, but to build the skills to ride the waves rather than feeling like you’re drowning in them. You have the ability to find calm in the chaos, and I’m here to help you get there.
My approach and what a session with me looks like:
It’s important for me to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment that respects your background, identity, and unique perspectives. I want you to feel heard and understood, and therefore I take an empathic approach to ensure you that I truly care about your concerns and experiences. While always supportive, I do like to challenge when necessary, which helps confront difficult truths or behaviors to foster growth and lasting change. I like to keep it real and also be real! I will be the first to say I am not perfect and I do not have all of the answers! It’s truly a pleasure to connect with clients by recognizing that we’re all human, constantly learning and growing. We’re all a work in progress, and I’m right here with you on that journey!
I like to take an eclectic approach to therapy, meaning I tailor each session to your unique needs by drawing from various techniques and theories. If you just need to vent, I’m here to listen. If you’re looking for guidance, I can offer insight. If interactive activities help you process things better, I’ve got those too. Whatever you need to move forward, I’ll do my best to support you on that journey!
With a background in health coaching and wellness, my perspective has evolved over time—I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We don’t have to fit into societal standards or compare ourselves to people who seem to have it all together. There’s something incredibly freeing about embracing who we are, loving ourselves as we are, and living life in a way that feels right for us. And I’m here to help you achieve that!
Limited openings available
Fees:
$150 per session
Session fee is due at the time of your session
Sessions are 45-50 minutes
All sessions are full fee
I offer a limited amount of sliding scale openings.
We have partnered with Mentaya to help clients use their out-of-network benefits to save money on therapy. Use this tool below to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services.
Working with me
Use the calendar below to schedule a free 15 minute consultation call with me or contact me to schedule a consultation call using the contact form!
Book a consultation with me:
.