Tara Hartley, LCSW
Experienced Illinois LCSW specializing in trauma care
- Trauma-informed care
- CBT and DBT skills
- Support for relationships
About Tara Hartley
Tara Hartley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois who brings nine years of combined experience in therapy and substance abuse counseling. She has participated in a TF-CBT cohort, receiving focused training in trauma work and supporting people affected by physical injury or emotional abuse. Tara has worked with a broad range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship and parenting challenges, grief, and other mental health disorders. Her background includes both individual and couples work, and she has supported clients facing career stress, obsessive behaviors, and complex family dynamics.
Tara's therapeutic manner is warm, interactive, and grounded in respect and sensitivity. She avoids stigmatizing labels and prefers to collaborate with each person to shape a treatment plan that fits their unique needs. Her approach draws from cognitive behavioral methods, humanistic and psychodynamic ideas, and dialectical behavioral techniques, and she adapts interventions to the goals and preferences of the individual.
Tara emphasizes empowerment and practical change, meeting clients where they are and guiding them toward more fulfilling, balanced lives. She welcomes those ready to take steps toward growth and offers steady professional support throughout the process.
Tara's therapeutic manner is warm, interactive, and grounded in respect and sensitivity. She avoids stigmatizing labels and prefers to collaborate with each person to shape a treatment plan that fits their unique needs. Her approach draws from cognitive behavioral methods, humanistic and psychodynamic ideas, and dialectical behavioral techniques, and she adapts interventions to the goals and preferences of the individual.
Tara emphasizes empowerment and practical change, meeting clients where they are and guiding them toward more fulfilling, balanced lives. She welcomes those ready to take steps toward growth and offers steady professional support throughout the process.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Aging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Tara Hartley have?
Tara Hartley has 9 years of experience, combining work as a therapist and as a substance abuse counselor.
Is Tara Hartley a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Illinois - IL LCSW 149.021785.
In which languages does Tara Hartley provide therapy?
Tara Hartley provides therapy in English.
Where is Tara Hartley located?
Tara Hartley is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Tara Hartley as my therapist?
You can work with Tara Hartley through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Tara Hartley work with international clients?
Tara Hartley does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Tara Hartley cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches for Online Care and Therapeutic Skills
Tara draws on Client-Centered Therapy to create a collaborative and empathetic space where the client's experience guides the work. This approach emphasizes active listening and validation, helping people explore values, relationships, and personal goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors; it is practical and goal-oriented, often helping with anxiety, depression, and coping skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete strategies for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, making it useful for managing intense emotions and improving relationship skills.
Choosing the right approach is part of the collaborative process. Tara works with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, then tailors techniques and a treatment plan that fit the individual. Clients are involved in decisions about pacing and focus so the work feels relevant and achievable.
Online sessions via video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging provide flexible access to therapy and make it easier to fit care into busy schedules. These options allow ongoing contact, varied formats for different needs, and consistent progress even when in-person visits are not practical, while still relying on the judgment and skills of licensed professionals and therapists to guide treatment.