Tara Emerson, M.A., LPC-Associate

• M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Sam Houston State University
• B.S., Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University

I believe that people are experts on themselves, and I endeavor to create a safe and supportive space for students to find meaning and empowerment in their life. I approach counseling from a relational-cultural perspective. This means that I believe our past and current relationships often define how we understand ourselves and the world. The cultural aspect brings into focus the influence of larger culture and power differentials on the quality and nature of relationships. Through mutually satisfying and growth-fostering relationships, we experience growth and meaning in our lives. I strive to create a collaborative relationship with my clients to meet their goals.

I have professional interests in the client-therapist alliance, self-compassion, relational issues, academic stress, career development, self-worth, trauma, and life satisfaction/development.

Working towards social justice and being an advocate for diversity is a life-long endeavor. I strive to continue to understand my own privilege and biases and to actively and humbly seek to understand the experiences of others. I believe that our individual and collective experiences impact generations and I hope to be a positive influence on my own and future ones.

My involvement with supervision currently consists of supervising interns while co-leading the Embracing Your Self-Worth Group. My approach to supervision is relational, with emphasis on building a collaborative and supportive relationship. I enjoy supervision of group because of the unique opportunity to model clinical skills and to observe and support interns in real time. I look forward to new supervision opportunities at the group and individual level and strive to incorporate curiosity, empowerment and transparency into the supervisory relationship.