Tara Hartley, LCSW

Tara Hartley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois with nine years of clinical experience, including two years specifically in substance abuse counseling. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, addiction, parenting challenges, grief, and intimacy-related concerns.

Tara uses plain, practical talk in sessions and focuses on skills people can use between meetings. She draws on client-centered ideas to keep the conversation grounded in each person's priorities. Cognitive behavioral techniques help break unhelpful thinking and behavior cycles. Dialectical behavior strategies are used for emotional regulation and distress tolerance when feelings feel overwhelming.

Her background includes extended work with clients affected by trauma, and she has experience supporting people dealing with substance use issues. She also works with people navigating blended family situations, fatherhood issues, caregiver stress, and the emotional impact of serious illness.

In sessions she talks through communication problems, commitment concerns, and patterns that fuel anger or low self-esteem. She also helps people facing major life changes like separation, bereavement, or relocation of caregiving responsibilities. Work often focuses on practical steps and short-term tools alongside deeper reflection.

Tara offers straightforward guidance on coping strategies, motivation, and planning. She encourages clients to try techniques between visits and to review what does and doesn't work. Her approach aims to be interactive and focused on clear next steps rather than abstract theory.

How her approaches guide online sessions