SOMETIMES THE SMALLEST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ENDS UP BEING THE BIGGEST STEP OF YOUR LIFE
WELCOME
Hello, and a genuine and heartfelt welcome. My name is Tara and I'm a qualified integrative therapist who works with individuals, partners, and families on a variety of issues. The video below is a good place to start if you'd like to learn a little about me, how I work, and how I can help. You can find more in-depth information throughout this website. If you'd like to book a free consultation (required to book counselling sessions) or have any questions, please reach out.
TARA COLEMAN-STARR, COUNSELLING THERAPIST
Hello, I'm Tara, an experienced and highly trained therapist who works with many difficulties, although my specialisms include anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, ADHD, self-esteem, anger, and trauma.
Rather than working from a place of stuffiness or out-of-date theory, I work from a place of empowerment, using techniques and theories based on contemporary, science-backed research and a lived understanding of our modern world.
I strongly believe in the power of the client-therapist relationship. Unless you're planning to divulge something very surprising, we are both human beings! Therefore, connecting on a genuine person-to-person level is a really important and healing part of the work. That means we may share difficult feelings and have vulnerable conversations together, but we'll also share joy at your wins and laughter.
You're unique, so your counselling needs to be tailored to fit you. Not all types of counselling suit every person, and that's okay. Because of that, I've studied and practised multiple counselling theories at an advanced level, so we can work together to find and blend the ones that work best for you, helping you move from where you are to where you want to be, as effectively as possible.
MAIN APPROACHES I USE
BACKGROUND
WHAT I WORK WITH
I believe we should all be able to live happy, meaningful lives, regardless of our sociocultural background, economic status, characteristics, or whom we love and how we show it. I know our world often doesn't live up to that ideal, and it can feel overwhelming, divisive, unfair, and sometimes downright cruel. Life moves quickly. We can be up one minute and down the next, and we can easily find ourselves in situations that leave us feeling stuck.
Without going into unnecessary detail, I too have experienced some hard situations I didn't think I'd get through. Therapists are real people with their own backgrounds, after all. I'd compare myself to others who "had it worse" and felt crushing shame for not coping as well as "everyone else". Being diagnosed with ADHD at nearly 30 gave me some answers, but it was my personal therapy that made the biggest difference. I would not have made it through or be the person I am today without the brilliant therapists who made space for my problems, believed it me, and wanted to see me thrive. I deeply want to pay that forward.
My goal in life is to use my time on this planet to help people feel genuinely heard, seen, and supported, regardless of their current situation or problems. Watching my clients, people I've gotten to know and care for, go from struggling to thriving is what gets me out of bed in the morning. (...That and my very spoiled cats who think demanding food before the morning alarm is acceptable, anyway!)
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Abuse
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ADHD
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Anger management
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Anxiety and anxiety disorders
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Behavioural issues
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Bereavement
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Bullying
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Childlessness
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Cultural and religious issues
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Depression and low mood
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Disabilities (physical and mild mental)
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Emotion regulation (e.g. sensitivity)
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Family and attachment issues
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General life difficulties (e.g. redundancy)
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Illnesses
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Low self-esteem and worth
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Phobias
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Relationship problems
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Spirituality, mindfulness and meditation
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Stress
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Trauma
Please note that this isn't an exhaustive list, so if you don't see what you need help with above, please get in touch to see if I can help.
ABOUT
EXPERIENCE & PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Registered BACP Member (MBACP)
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Years of experience as a general and crisis counsellor for charities and local council.
EDUCATION
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University of Hull, PgDip Contemporary Relationship Studies (relationship and family therapy).
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Coventry University, BA (Hons) Degree Counselling Integrative Theory & Practice
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TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Counselling
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Certificate in Trauma and Attachment
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Certificate in Working with Dissociative Disorders
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Diploma in Meditation & Relaxation Techniques
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Mind Suicide Prevention and Awareness training
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NCDV domestic abuse training
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BACP/OU Certificate in Online Counselling
WHY CHOOSE HEALING ROOTS?
Educated
I have completed a degree in counselling and a 2-year postgraduate diploma in relationship and family therapy.
This means you will be counselled by someone who has learned a bredth of up-to-date counselling theory recommended for use today.
Experienced
I have over eight years of experience working with people in a therapeutic capacity, and five years in counselling, including working for Mind and local councils.
You can be sure that you are in competent, ethical, and caring hands.
Value
At Healing Roots, sessions run for a full hour, not 50-minutes as is usual, meaning you often get more session time at better rates than other services might charge.
I also offer concessionary rates for students and those on low income.
Inclusive
Regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, beliefs, or physical ability, you are welcome and invited to try counselling.
Choose from in-person, video, telephone, and text-based couselling, and be yourself without fear of judgement.