Tara Hope

She/Her MACP, BEd, BA(hons.psyc)

Note: Tara is available online and in Courtney BC for In-Person Sessions

367 - 4th Street, Courtenay, BC

She is not available in-person Victoria.

Works with: Youth (12+), caregivers, adults, & couples

Availability:

In Person & Virtual:

Mondays: 2:30pm-5:00pm

Tuesdays: 2:30pm -8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:30am-1:00pm Specializations: 

• ADHD (adult, parenting, late-in-life diagnosis)

• Addiction (mild-moderate, including behavioural and food)

• Anxiety (general, phobias, panic)

• Parenting (adolescents-adult)

• Couples seeking repair and reconnection or a healing separation

• Anxiety

• OCD
  

  Neurodiversity-Affirming Statement:

  I affirm and support neurodivergent clients by approaching neurodivergence as a different way of thinking and responding to the world.  No two neurodivergent people are alike - I get to know each client as they are, understanding that those of us who are neurodivergent have varying strengths, support needs, backgrounds, and lived experiences. 

  
  

  Personal Experience with Neurodivergence:

  I supported children with ADHD and Autism as an elementary school counsellor and have since focused my training on adult ADHD.  I was diagnosed with ADHD late in life after my then 26-year-old daughter’s diagnosis.  My son, too, was diagnosed at age 25.  I specialize in supporting late-diagnosed ADHDers, parents of children living with neurodivergence and/or other exceptionalities, and couples seeking repair and reconnection in their relationship.  

  
  

  Approach & Modalities:

  Above all else, my approach is founded on positive connection and collaboration with each person and a solid belief in their potential and birthright to thrive as their unique self.  I have a broad and perhaps eclectic toolkit with a special interest in the intersection between psychology and spirituality (mind-body-spirit) and the energy of emotions.  I most often use a blend of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, mindfulness, and somatic strategies to increase self-awareness and self-acceptance and the capacity to process and release heavy emotions and limiting beliefs (e.g., shame due to feeling like a failure as a parent/professional/human).  I am a Certified Master Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT, “tapping”) Practitioner and will use EFT when a client requests it or wants to learn about it.  Above all else, each session is led by what the individual wants, is ready for, and consents to.

  
  

  Communication Style:

  I am warm, direct and validating, and I check in often, asking clients to notice what they may be feeling in their body and co-regulate with them to ensure they stay within their window of tolerance throughout each session.  I use visuals, movement (e.g., balancing exercises, ball-

  tossing, juggling), humour, and real-life examples when helpful. ”

  
  

  Fun Facts & Interests:

  I am a very creative person and lifelong multidimensional artist. I love playing, dancing, singing, songwriting, biking on burmy forest trails, hanging upside down on monkey bars, and connecting with people.  I write songs, poetry, short stories and perform with wearable art I

  create.  I thrive on movement and creative expression of all kinds.  Right now, my focus is writing songs and performing with a ukulele trio I have formed with two other women and on the development of a solo theatrical clowning show I have written.  I’m also committed to advocating

  for neuroinclusion and acceptance in the world so we can all thrive and enjoy our lives and have proudly become a member of and volunteer for the Institute of Neurodiversity.

  Most Recent Certifications and Trainings:
  

  • Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication

  • First Nations Approaches to Healing Trauma: Ancestral Wisdom and Soul Retrieval 

  • Unattended Grief: Interventions to Facilitate Healthy Grieving

  • Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems Therapy: Step-by-Step Procedures for Healing Traumatic Wounds and Alleviating Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Addiction and More

  • Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Intensive Training

  • ADHD Certification Course: What’s New & What’s Next in Supporting Neurodiverse Clients

  • Addiction and Shame Dual Certification Training: Shame-Informed CBT, DBT, REBT & More

  • 2-Day Training on Collaborative & Proactive Solutions with Dr. Ross Greene

  • Certified Master Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping) Practitioner

  • Do’s & Don’ts of Therapy with Neurodivergent Clients: A Trauma Informed Somatic Approach (Nyck Walsh, The Leading Edge)

  • Member of Institute of Neurodiversity (ION)