Dr. Tara Murphy

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."
— Maya Angelou
 
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience supporting clients through a wide range of challenges using an integrative, relational approach. At the heart of successful therapy is the relationship itself. Finding a therapist who feels like the "right fit"—someone who truly sees and values your full humanity—is often the most important and difficult first step. I believe that our emotional struggles often arise in relationship—and they are best healed in relationship. My work is grounded in the understanding that all parts of you, even those you may find painful or confusing, carry wisdom and deserve compassion. Drawing on my training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and other evidence-based models, I tailor therapy to your unique system of needs, strengths, and challenges. I am committed to creating a space that is affirming, anti-oppressive, and inclusive, where every part of you is welcome. Together, we will work collaboratively to foster insight, build emotional agility, and strengthen your sense of empowerment, connection, and resilience—both inside and outside the therapy room. 
​**As a PSYCHPACT provider I can currently see clients from all of the following states for telehealth: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Ilinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, 
New Jersey,  North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania
Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont
Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming & Northern Mariana Islands.
















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My Education & Experience

• I earned my Masters in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from the University of Southern California in 1997.  I  completed my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Multi-Cultural Community Counseling in 2001 from the California School of Professional Psychology. My doctoral project centered on developing curriculum for therapists in training to increase cultural and racial awareness, develop understanding of the dynamics of power and privilege and improve self awareness of how intrinsic biases  impact the therapeutic relationship.  I spent ten years teaching as an Adjunctive Faculty at Mount Saint Mary's University training future clinicians in the diagnosis of mental illness and family systems interventions.  In addition to teaching, I  have trained and worked in a variety of clinical settings including:  The Maple Counseling Center, Los Angeles Child and Family Guidance Center, Maryvale Residential Treatment Center,  King County Superior Court, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Madigan Army Medical Center Child and Family Behavioral Health Services  and  a variety of other settings including most recently working as a Behavioral Health Consultant while  developing and directing a primary care integrated behavioral health program in Centralia, Washington.   Over the last four years I have receiving training and supervision in Internal Family Systems Therapy and have found this to be a game changer in helping clients address long standing struggles and issues that previously have not been responsive to other therapeutic interventions.  

My Approach

I consider myself an attachment and family systems focused therapist.  I work largely from the Internal Family Systems approach that recognizes that our minds are all naturally divided "parts" or "subpersonalities" that manifest in our emotions, physical sensations, and thoughts.  If we work to get to know all of these aspects of ourselves we can decrease reactivity and develop the ability to self lead.  In this approach I often use meditation and somatic awareness to help patients work through past traumas that impact their behavior, relationships and functioning in the present.  Additional areas of training integrated into my approach include:  Emotions Focused, Experiential,  Humanistic, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Health at Every Size (HAES)/Attuned Eating, Mindfulness, Narrative,  Psychodynamic,  Somatic, & Trauma Focused interventions.