Tara Smith
MACP, BSc., RP, CCC
Registered Psychotherapist (#): 17845
Canadian Certified Counsellor (#): 11265811
Locations: Kelowna, Online
Serving: Adults Young Adults Youth 13+ Families Couples Children
Hello, my name is Tara. I’m so happy that you are reaching out! Thank you for choosing me to hear your story. I am beyond grateful to use my talents and gifts to help others. And I am humbled to be at such a vibrant space at Vitality Collective, practicing amongst such a dedicated team of talented, graceful counsellors. I use psychologically evidence-based modalities, bringing warmth and empathy to sessions. We make meaning of what is important to you by exploring where you have been, where you are, and where you want to be. It is in this authentic connection with another human being that we find the true essence of self and become the person we were meant to be. I look forward to working with you!
GET TO KNOW TARA
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GET TO KNOW TARA
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GET TO KNOW TARA
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GET TO KNOW TARA • GET TO KNOW TARA • GET TO KNOW TARA •
My Professional Background
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Trauma - Developmental, Relational, and Work-related
Childhood, Adolescent, and Adult Abuse
PTSD
Grief & Loss
Youth and Adolescents – Autism, Neurodivergent – ADHD, learning delays
Maternal Mental Health - Pregnancy, prenatal, post-partum
First Responders and Veterans
Interpersonal Relationship Issues
Finding Purpose, Identity, and Meaning
Addictions
*if you want to work with me and don’t see your concern here, mention it on your inquiry form! I’ve worked with many areas and it’s possible I have experience working with yours before, too.
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Humanistic
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
Existential
Emotion-Focused therapy (EFT)
Solution-Focused therapy (SFT)
Adlerian
Psychoeducation
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University of Toronto, Honours Bachelor of Science, Specialist in Psychology, Minor in Anthropology.
Yorkville University, Master’s of Arts in Counselling Psychology.
EMDR Certification
I am a graduate of the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science, Specialist in Psychology, and a Minor in Anthropology. My early career focused on research and literature at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health. I coupled that with exploring various counselling opportunities in diverse settings. My training at that time focused on Autism and those who are neurodivergent. From there, I was blessed to work in social services, assisting diverse youth and families often in marginalized situations with adverse life experiences.
I had the privilege to continue my education and graduated from Yorkville University with a Master’s of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP). I have a lifelong passion for learning with dreams to continue to build knowledge and obtain a PHD. I hope to continue counselling while delving more into research to promote change in systemic issues here in my community of Kelowna.
I stay current with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s training opportunities, attending yearly Suicide Prevention. I completed my EMDR Certification – EMDRIA Approved with Claire Maur through Connect in Miami and attend supervision with that team of counsellors to continue to build upon my skill set. This summer, I’m looking forward to attending local training in Trauma-Focused-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Dr. Pia Pechtel.
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English
Get To Know Me Personally
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Quiet mornings with good coffee,
scented candles,
watching my fav happy feel-good reruns.
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For me, there is no exact moment when this happened. I remember in grade school being the child to give half my sandwich away if I saw someone had none. I remember waitressing in adolescence and having a young boy speak his first words to me after 3 days being mute, coming through a storm on the bay. And his Dad being so thankful, and me not really knowing what I did. We all have talents and gifts to offer the world, and innately I have been in tune and sensitive to others’ emotions for as long as I can remember. I love connecting deeply with others.
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Being the best Mom I can be, through adversity, with unconditional love no matter what.
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An Olympic Figure Skater.
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I’m spending time with loved ones, immersing myself in nature, travelling, and being active, skating, and doing yoga.
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So much of the magic in counselling happens in the sacred bond of the therapeutic relationship. Making sure it is a good fit allows for vulnerability and transparency to cultivate and grow. You have taken the difficult first step of reaching out. Asking for help is an act of surrender where you are ready to look at something that is no longer working for you or serving you. Humans are creatures of habit, so taking that first step opens the door to new possibilities. Nothing changes if nothing changes.
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For me, it’s about the wins. I am honoured to hold a safe space and bear witness that the human spirit can rise above suffering. I know that we are never given more than we can handle and that pain is the touchstone to all human growth. I have faith and hope that people can process emotions and adverse situations and find their true essence and open their hearts to love.
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My clients have described me as someone who is genuine and attentively listens. They have shared that I have a soft approach that is calming and grounds them. They feel safe to share sensitive information with me without being judged.
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“Bad times wake us up to the good times we weren’t paying attention to.”
Robin Williams, Good Will Hunting
New Clients
Please fill out the New Client Inquiry form below to book an appointment with Tara.
Existing Clients
Our online booking feature is available to clients who have already had a first appointment with Tara.