Does it seem as if you are walking through a dark tunnel, alone, with no end in sight? Do you ever just feel completely overwhelmed and find difficultly to enjoy what is most important to you? Even when we try our absolute best, we often find trouble developing and accessing internal resources to manage everything life throws at us. As human beings, we may have endured adverse life experiences that lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-defeating thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Our temperament, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and societal pressures increase the likelihood of this occurring. Many people suffer from a variety of mental health symptoms and this is very common in our country. Did you know that over 50% of US Americans are diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within their lifetime and 1 in 5 adults each year? Seeking therapy to improve our emotional well being can be difficult and also influential in making positive changes to our mental and physical health, relationships, work, and overall level of happiness.

Being a psychotherapist for over 10 years, I have acquired a level of expertise in assessing and treating individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, dissociation, personality disorders, mood fluctuation, and addiction-related challenges. I utilize an assortment of behavioral interventions and approaches to assist individuals in achieving their unique goals. We may benefit from learning how to restructure our cognitions as it relates to our emotions and actions (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and implement techniques to increase self-awareness, tolerate distress, unpleasant emotions, impulsive urges, and communicate more effectively with others (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). There is often significant value in addressing our core belief system and how it affects our view of self and the world around us, which is often explored through Schema Focused Therapy. I also implement an Internal Family Systems approach with folks who may notice a fragmented sense of self as a result of past traumas. In addition, I also am competent in applying Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a form of therapy that focuses on alleviating the negative imprint that trauma can leave on the brain and body.

I strongly believe that a therapeutic alliance is essential to creating a partnership while traveling through this process of recovery together; with an array of guidance, support, tools, and light at the end of the tunnel. Fostering hopefulness, confidence, and competence and tapping into your strengths and abilities. I have been described as a person who is down to earth, humorous, compassionate, validating, non-judgmental, open-minded, and willing to explore what’s wanted and needed during your journey.

Office: 2355 Union Road, Suite 200, Cheektowaga, NY 14227

Email: tara@shurmatzcounselingwny.com