Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Towler-Cumby.
Hi Tara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Dacula, Georgia, I possessed a deep-seated desire to help others from a young age, instilled in me by my parents. I loved listening and helping people feel better. As a compassionate listener, I derived immense fulfillment from helping people feel better, particularly in a town where mental health resources were scarce. I pursued a degree in psychology in college, where I interned at the Dekalb Rape Crisis Center, gaining valuable insights into women’s trauma and addiction struggles.There, I learned so much about the trauma that women were facing and how so many women lived with trauma in silence. I knew I wanted to help women and know more about addictions.
While working as a bank teller to support myself through graduate school, I developed business skills and financial management skills. Following that, I interned in the addiction field, recognizing that anyone could suffer from addiction, irrespective of their background. Later on, I worked with EAP and addiction agencies, refining my counseling skills to become an expert in my field. Owning my own private practice was always my goal, which I achieved in 2010 when I opened Towler Counseling LLC. I am privileged to work alongside excellent therapists, and I specialize in Trauma-informed therapy, Cognitive Behavior therapy, Addiction therapy, and TF-CBT. Currently, I am working towards acquiring Internal Family Systems certifications and training. I work with new moms and moms who are suffering from depression and anxiety.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say that starting a practice is challenging and as an aspiring therapist starting out there are so many things to think about. I have lived through a lot of the “what ifs” when building a practice and having a growing practice which is why I offer consultation for therapists that are opening a practice.Another significant challenge emerged in 2020 with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a face-to-face therapist, I had to pivot quickly to provide virtual therapy for my clients and my therapists’ clients. We adapted to the new reality and provided assistance to those who needed it most. Currently, we are offering both face-to-face and virtual sessions, providing clients with greater flexibility and choice.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been in the therapy field for 18 years. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. When I began in the field, I worked in addictions which I enjoy but through the years I have adapted and added more specialties. I have experience with addiction, depression, anxiety, postpartum, life changes, and infertility counseling. I have developed a teen vaping class to assist teen in stopping use of vaping. My passion now is helping women who are struggling through challenges in their life, whether it is relationships, health issues or being a first-time mom. I understand the challenges we face as moms and work with moms on how to balance life and family. I enjoy helping new moms in this new chapter in their lives. In my new mom course, I help new moms prepare for their new baby’s birth. I am passionate about women’s health and advocacy. In addition to all of my work, I also consult private practice owners on their business and provide training. What sets me apart is that I listen and care for my clients. I want what is best for them. I have been through a lot as a woman and I want to help other women and advocate for them.What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?Due to the impact of COVID, Mental health services are becoming increasingly popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its psychological impact. This is likely to continue in the coming years. I am expecting to see an increase in telemental health and easier platforms to conduct these types of sessions. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that teletherapy will become even more prevalent, allowing LPCs to reach a wider audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.towler-counseling.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/towlercounseling
- Facebook: facebook.com/towlercounseling
Image Credits
Carly Mowell Photography LLC
