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 somatic therapy and transpersonal therapy, including:
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. My practice focuses on the intersection of somatic therapy, trauma, and spirituality.
I live and work in Guelph, where I enjoy going on outdoor adventures with my family, and planning sci-fi movie parties. I’m also a fan of introvert-friendly activities like making music and visual art. My work is anchored in 20+ years of meditation practice and silent retreat.
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.
Somatic Experiencing Post-Advanced Master Class: Chronic Pain & Syndromes (30 hours) — Peter Levine, MD, PhD. Trauma healing and somatics, adapted for people who have chronic pain, chronic illness, or certain autoimmune conditions.
Somatic Experiencing Post-Advanced 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 Inner Relationship Focusing (S-IRF) (Foundation Training; 40 hours) — Maureen Gallagher, PhD, 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; 60 hours) — Dr. Aline LaPierre, PhD, 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.
Somatic Resilience and Regulation (Module 1; 30 hours) — Kathy Kain, SEP & Stephen Terrell, PhD, SEP. Somatic approaches to treating developmental trauma.
Transpersonal Therapy Training
First Do No Harm — (Levels 1&2; 45 hours) — Cheetah House / Willoughby Britton, PhD. Evidence-based training on recognizing Meditation-Related Adverse Effects (MRAE), differentiating them from other mental health challenges, and supporting individuals in their recovery. Includes material on recovering from religious/spiritual trauma.
Integrative Mental Health University — Emma Bragdon, PhD. Coursework supporting those experiencing “Spiritual Emergency” and other spirituality-related challenges that impact mental health.
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.
Jungian and Post-Jungian Clinical Concepts (128 hours) — Centre of Applied Jungian Studies.
Transpersonal Psychotherapy Mentorship (140+ hours) — Consciousness-expanding experiences can be a natural part of the healing process. Transpersonal psychotherapy helps integrate and understand these experiences; supports development beyond the constraints of the ego; and fosters a deeper sense of self and interconnectedness.
Trauma Integration Training
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) (Basic Training; 50 hours) — Amanda Bell, PhD, RSW. Structured trauma treatment that involves briefly recalling a trauma memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation.
Flash Technique: Trauma Reprocessing (12 hours) — Jennifer Marchand, MA, CCC. Originally used in EMDR to reduce distress on a memory before 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 (28 hours) — Lori Gill, MA, RP. Three-phase integrative treatment of complex trauma using an art- and sensory-based approach; suitable for children, youth, and adults.
Treatment of Posttraumatic Nightmares: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (2 hours) — Barry Kraken, MD. Evidence-based treatment of chronic nightmares.
Comprehensive Resource Model (Basic Training; 30 hours) — Lisa Schwartz, MEd. A neurobiologically-based, emotion-focused trauma treatment approach for healing from early developmental trauma.
Complex Trauma Certification Training (Levels 1&2; 47 hours) — Asynchronous course with Janina Fisher, PhD. Healing from early trauma, complex trauma, and dissociation.
Other Training
Gifted Psychology 101 for Psychologists (72 hours) — 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.
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
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) (18 hours) — Colleen Carney, PhD.
Introduction to Art Therapy — Wilfrid Laurier University
Cognitive and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy — Wilfrid Laurier University