Tara Cardiff, MA (Psychotherapy) is a Somatic Experiencing therapist in Guelph, Ontario.
About Me
I completed my studies in the Psychotherapy Master of Arts program at Wilfrid Laurier University. I also have an Undergraduate science degree in Occupational Therapy from McGill University, and additional training in several approaches to trauma therapy and somatics, including:
Somatically-Informed Internal Relationship Focusing (S-IRF) (Parts Work)
I have worked for 20 years in the areas of mental health and rehabilitation with individuals, families, and groups, including extensive work with LGBTQ+ and multicultural communities. After working with many people who had a history of trauma connected to their anxiety or depression, I decided to pursue training in gradual, gentle approaches to trauma integration. These approaches, such as Somatic Experiencing, can be very effective in resolving trauma-related physical and emotional symptoms - without requiring you to retell the whole story. Trauma healing has been a major focus of my work for the last nine years.
I live and work in Guelph. Outside of work, I enjoy going on outdoor adventures with my kids, and planning sci-fi movie parties. I’m also a fan of introvert-friendly activities like reading, and making music and visual art.
Somatic Psychotherapy Training
Somatic Experiencing Professional Training Program (3 years; 216 hours + consultations) — Somatic Experiencing International. A gentle, effective body-mind approach to healing from cumulative stress, trauma, and PTSD.
Post-Advanced Somatic Experiencing Master Class: Chronic Pain & Syndromes (30 hours) — Dr. Peter Levine. Trauma healing and somatics, adapted for people who have chronic pain, chronic illness, or certain autoimmune conditions.
Somatic-Informed Inner Relationship Focusing (S-IRF) — Foundation Training (40 hours) — Dr. Maureen Gallagher, SEP. A somatic “parts work” approach that aims to treat developmental trauma and develop an accepting, compassionate relationship with all aspects of ourselves. This approach combines two therapy approaches — Somatic Experiencing & Inner Relationship Focusing (parts work)— and is similar to Internal Family Systems (IFS).
NeuroAffective Touch: Renegotiating Developmental and Relational Trauma (Foundation Training Modules 1-4) — Dr. Aline LaPierre, SEP. Integrates somatic psychology, relational psychotherapy, and developmental theory. Addresses the cognitive, emotional, and relational difficulties that can be hard to reach with talk therapy alone.
Post-Advanced Somatic Experiencing Master Class: Eye of the Needle 1 (Near Death Experiences) (30 hours) — Dave Berger, MA, SEP. Applying Somatic Experiencing principles to near-death experiences including motor vehicle accidents, surgery, illness, drowning, and physical attacks.
Somatic Resilience and Regulation 1 (30 hours) — Kathy Kain, SEP & Dr. Stephen Terrell, SEP. Somatic approaches to treating developmental trauma.
Trauma Integration Training
EMDR Foundational Training — Dr. Amanda Bell. Structured trauma treatment that involves briefly recalling a trauma memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation.
The Flash Technique: Trauma Reprocessing — Jennifer Marchand, MA. Originally used to reduce distress on a memory before EMDR processing, Flash Technique is now a standalone trauma treatment modality that adds a positive, engaging focus to the trauma integration process. Flash Technique is sometimes quicker and better tolerated than EDMR.
Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment — Lori Gill, MA. Three-phase integrative treatment of complex trauma using an art- and sensory-based approach; suitable for children, youth, and adults.
Comprehensive Resource Model (Basic Training) — Lisa Schwartz, MEd. A neurobiologically-based, emotion-focused trauma treatment approach for healing from early developmental trauma.
Complex Trauma Certification Training — Dr. Janina Fisher. Healing from early trauma, complex trauma, and dissociation.
Other Training
Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management Facilitation Certificate — University of Toronto. Those with chronic pain or a trauma history are often interested in developing a mindfulness mediation practice, but often need adaptations to these practices.
Gifted Psychology 101 for Psychologists (6-month course) - Jennifer Harvey Sallin, MA. Training on providing psychotherapy to adults who are intense, intellectually gifted, or creative. The mental health of gifted children and adults can be affected by existential depression, atypical thinking styles, emotional intensity, or a sense of isolation.
Jungian and Post-Jungian Clinical Concepts (128 hours) - Centre of Applied Jungian Studies.
Integrative Gender and Sexuality: A Somatic Perspective — Somatic Experiencing International — 2023 Gender and Sexuality Conference.
2SLGBTQ Emotional and Mental Health — Rainbow Health Ontario
Ontario Indigenous Cultural Safety Training — Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
Introduction to Art Therapy — Wilfrid Laurier University
Cognitive and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy — Wilfrid Laurier University