Tara Renae McKinney LMFT

I've always been interested in people. When I go on trips I'm fascinated by watching people interact with others and the world around them, by other cultures, and by the people I meet. I've always been interested in what other people think, how they feel, and how they live their lives. I've learned there is no such thing as "normal", that "perfect" is boring, and that everyone is interesting and unique. It's an honor to help others find their own beauty and strength in the process of healing.

• California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 44562

I've worked in the public and private mental health and substance abuse care setting for the majority of my career providing therapy to clients with a variety of substance abuse and mental health diagnoses. Through the almost 20 years I have spent providing therapy, I have found that many human beings believe they are deeply flawed and want to do better for themselves and the people they care about, but do not know how. We, as human beings, have been raised by other flawed human beings, and we get stuck. We overly focus on our human failings and we get trapped in self-blame, shame, and negative thinking that exhausts our bodies, our minds, and our hearts. Over 25% of American Children experience at least 1 traumatic event by the age of 16; many experience multiple traumas that interfere with the ability to think clearly because of their physiological reaction to stress. This is a negative cycle that impacts many areas of life and can be changed with a better understanding of our once helpful beliefs, physiological reactions, and re-learning to trust ourselves, the world, and others step by step through healing old wounds.