Tara Doherty believes that every person deserves a space where they feel truly heard, a place to laugh, to cry, to better understand who they are, and to grow at their own pace, without judgment. Her sessions are built on compassion, practical tools, and a genuine commitment to walking alongside each client on their journey.

A Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), bilingual Ontario Certified Teacher, and Director of Academic Services, Tara holds a master’s degree in counselling psychology and a BA in Psychology from York University. Over more than two decades working across clinical and educational settings, Tara has spent more than 15 years as a special education teacher supporting neurodiverse children, teens, and their families. Her areas of focus include Autism, ADHD, anxiety, executive functioning, life transitions, and the complex relationship between learning, identity, and self-worth. Her therapeutic approach integrates IFS, ACT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy, always through a neuroaffirming, strengths-based lens and a genuine commitment to meeting clients where they are.

For parents, Tara offers hands-on support navigating the IEP process, helping families identify the right accommodations, understand their child’s rights, and personalize the IEP so it truly reflects their child’s strengths and needs. As a retired competitive athlete who represented Canada as an international ice dancer, Tara brings a deep understanding of the mental fortitude and pressure required at the highest levels of sport. She now works with student-athletes to navigate the competing demands of school and sport, offering tools to support performance, focus, and well-being. 

She now lives in Ottawa with her two young children and her Frenchton, Bruno.