Tara McSweeney

Doctoral Practicum Student & Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Availability Accepting Clients for September
Ages Youth, Adults (14+)
Email tara@beingandbecoming.ca

Starting therapy takes courage. Whether you're here for the first time or returning to the work, I'm glad you've found your way here. I'm Tara (she/her), a Registered Clinical Counsellor and PhD Student in Counselling Psychology at UBC. My work in the mental health field has instilled in me a deep belief in the power of connection for healing, and I aim to create a space that feels warm, respectful, and affirming.

You may be coming to therapy because you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from yourself — or with a more general sense that something needs to shift. Therapy can offer an opportunity to slow down, make sense of what you are experiencing, and consider what you need. Whether your concern feels clear or hard to name, I aim to meet you with warmth, curiosity, and care.

As a queer and disabled counsellor, I bring both professional training and personal insight to my work. I have several years of experience in crisis support, advocacy, and systems navigation, and I've worked with clients navigating sexualized violence, sexuality, disability, weight stigma, identity, and marginalization. I understand how power, stigma, and structural barriers can shape mental health and healing. I offer a steady, compassionate space—with warmth, curiosity, and humour—where you can begin to explore what's happening beneath the surface.

Populations:

Adult Therapy

Teen Therapy

Areas of Focus:

Trauma

Non-Monogamy

Anxiety

Gender & Sexuality

Body Image

Neurodivergence

Eating Disorders

Disability

Appointment Times:

Friday Daytime

Tuesdays Evenings

Therapy Formats:

Phone

Online

In-Person

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

    • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

    • Feminist and Anti-Oppressive Therapy

    • Trauma-Informed Therapy

    • Anxiety

    • Career Exploration and Job Loss

    • Disability and Neurodivergence

    • Gender and Sexuality

    • Non-Monogamy and Polyamory

    • Relationship Concerns

    • Sexual Health

    • Sexualized Violence

    • Trauma and PTSD

    • Weight Stigma

    • PhD in Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia — in progress

    • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, University of Victoria

    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Victoria

    • Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (C-DBT)

    • ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)

    • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Levels I and II (CCTP and CCTP-II)

    • Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD

    • Somatic Therapy for Complex Trauma Certification

  • My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and grounded in feminist and anti-oppressive practice. I draw on experiential, emotion-focused, and relational therapies to help you better understand your emotions, relationships, identities, and patterns. I recognize that there is no single or “correct” way to heal, and we will work together at a pace that respects your needs, autonomy, and lived experience.

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