Tara Merida

Tara Merida is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas with 17 years of experience in mental health. She currently works as a school counselor and brings that practical, day-to-day perspective into therapy. Tara is warm and encouraging and focuses on helping people manage strong emotions and life challenges.

She has extensive experience with trauma, grief, anxiety, anger, self-regulation, and ADHD. Her background includes work with autism, dyslexia, and school success concerns, and she uses that experience to help clients find strategies that fit their daily routines. She values collaborative work and meets people where they are.

Tara draws from several therapy approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, client-centered methods, narrative therapy, and solution-focused ideas. Sessions emphasize learning skills, noticing patterns, and practicing small changes that add up over time. She often frames feelings as visitors to be acknowledged rather than fought.

Her style is supportive and practical. Parents and caregivers who want clear strategies for behavior, school, or emotional regulation may find her approach helpful. Tara also addresses grief, crisis, and resilience work, using tools developed in school and community settings.

Tara’s role as a school counselor informs how she structures sessions and connects therapy goals to everyday life. She encourages a steady pace, focusing on what’s most useful now and building toward longer-term coping and growth.

How therapeutic approaches shape online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what matters to the person. It helps people feel heard and build confidence in their own solutions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and teaches practical skills to change them, which can help with anxiety, mood, and sleep. Mindfulness therapy brings attention to the present moment and teaches simple practices for managing strong feelings and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Tara will collaborate with each person to choose which methods fit their goals and preferences. That choice can change over time as needs shift, and she adjusts strategies based on what helps most in daily life.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people practice skills where they live and work, so strategies can be tested in real situations and discussed at the next appointment.