

Tara received her MSW degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Work in 1994. She retired as a school social worker where she oversaw/managed a Behavioral Disabilities (BD) class at the high school level. Tara has 25 years of helping at-risk youth address mental, emotional, and behavioral issues through a strength-based, person-centered therapy approach.
Presently, Tara's private practice works with adults who have anxiety, depression and/or truama; also couples therapy.
Seeking support takes courage, and I honor the strength it takes to begin this process. You may be navigating grief, major life transitions, identity exploration, or recovering from experiences of harm. Perhaps you are a young adult stepping into new responsibilities, a student balancing multiple pressures, or someone carrying the weight of anxiety or depression. You may simply want a space where you feel seen, affirmed, validated, and supported. A place to make sense of your experiences and move toward the life you envision.
That vision inspired me to create H.O.O.D. Counseling & Consulting — Heritage, Origin, and Our Dopeness. I founded H.O.O.D on the belief that healing is rooted in culture, lived experiences, and strength, reminding us that even in hardship, growth is possible. With 10+ years of experience, I offer a holistic, empowering, and culturally responsive approach. Clients describe me as compassionate, grounding, and direct, fostering an environment of trust and change.
I obtained my Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University. I am certified in Polyvagal Theory
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or not like yourself lately? You don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Ivy League trained with experience in outpatient, acute stabilization and consult-liaison psychiatry. I work with adults and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, mood changes, and other mental health challenges that come with stress, illness, or life transitions.


Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.