TARA KESSEL, MSW, LICSW
EMDR Therapist in Olympia, WA
SERVING ALL OF WASHINGTON STATE ONLINE
Do you wonder what it would be like to relax and experience joy?
Hi, I’m Tara (she/her), and I work with folks just like you: those who are curious and want to better understand themselves so they can build authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling lives.
I help my clients work through past or present difficult experiences by partnering with them and offering support, information, and skills that help them find relief, contentment, and even joy.
Many of today’s solutions for difficult experiences involve talking about what happened over a long period of time. While this can sometimes be helpful, it can be more painful and time-consuming than it needs to be. It isn’t always enough to help you feel like you’re truly healing or moving forward in the way that you want to.
My approach to treating these challenges is grounded in gentle support, curiosity, and neuroscience. I believe that together we can help each other heal and build joyful lives, families, and communities .
What it’s like to work with me
My training in trauma, stress, neurodivergence and effective treatment means I have the expertise you need and deserve when healing from your past. But at the end of the day, you want to know you’re working with someone who gets what it means to be struggling with your experiences, right?
I’ve spent more than a decade working in numerous capacities with survivors of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, relationship violence, and other trauma. I’ve had to navigate my own healing. I know how profoundly these experiences impact your ability to trust others, relax, and experience things like hope and joy. So when we work together, you won’t just get a trained therapist. You’ll get someone who gets it.
I became a therapist because I believe deeply in the power of healing to help us build a better future for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
MY GUIDING PRINCIPLES
EQUITY
I advocate for equity and operate from an anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. I am queer-affirming, trans-affirming, neurodivergent-affirming and am honored to support others as they explore their identities. I enjoy working with adults of all genders, cultures, races, and orientations.
INTEGRITY
Living our lives in a way that aligns with our values can help us feel more confident and fulfilled. I’ll support your ability to identify, define, and make decisions based on your values, so you feel good about yourself and your life.
CONNECTION
Relationships and community are often vital parts of our growth and healing. I’ll support you as you build healthy connections and relationships with others.
SUSTAINABILITY
Therapy shouldn’t last forever. I’ll help you develop skills for long-term success, so you feel confident about investing in yourself through therapy.
What to expect
Your participation and input are vital parts of our work together. I won’t tell you what to do, but will help you clarify your goals, values and options, so you feel confident in your decisions. I’ll support your ability to intentionally build a life you enjoy.
We’ll look at context. Nothing happens in isolation. Looking at the big picture - including things like family history, generational patterns, and social systems - can lead to valuable insight and understanding.
If you’re interested, we’ll talk about how stressful or overwhelming experiences impact your brain, nervous system, and overall functioning. Many clients have said this helps them better understand their experiences.
We’ll move at a pace that works for you. Whether you’re needing a soft place to land or help accessing your strength, I’ll meet you where you are and support you there.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
I’m committed to ongoing training & education to best support your growth & healing.
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Women Studies, University of Washington
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Washington State DOH License LW61301547
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Certified
The Flash Technique, trained
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trained
Promoting First Relationships (PFR), trained