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Meet Tara

Nurse Psychotherapist. Parent. Human

(Also: Runner. Plant Hoarder. Lover of metaphor. Occasional squirrel-brain.)

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My Story

Hi, I'm Tara- a Registered Nurse Psychotherapist, a parent, and someone who knows what it's like to carry a lot.

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I've always been the person people come to when they'e struggling. Not because I have all the answers, but because I know how to hold space for the hard stuff. The messy, complicated, emotionally overloaded parts of life? That's where I do my best work.

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Before I opened my private practice, I spent 15+ years working in nursing- in acute care, mental health, and corrections. That experience shaped my ability to show up calmly, clearly, and without judgement, even in the most complex or overwhelming situations.

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But I don't just work with people in hard places, I've been there too.

I know what it's like to feel invisible in the chaos of parenting. I've lived through the exhaustion and heartbreak of infant feeding struggles and FPIES advocacy. I understand what it means to live in a body that's always "on" and a mind that sometimes races in five directions (shoutout to my fellow ADHD brains).

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Sometimes, I process life while running. (Other times, I joke about running away from my kids- but don't worry, I always come back.)

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I believe therapy should feel human. Safe enough, but not clinical. Supportive, but never performative. Real conversations, led by your needs, held in a space where you can bring your whole self.

My Brain and My Heart

I blend clinical training with lived experience, and I approach this work with both skill and humility. My clients often tell me they feel safe, seen, and gently challenged. That they can breathe easier just knowing someone is in their corner, especially when things feel heavy.

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I'm relational, whole-person focused, and flexible. I use evidence-based tools when they're helpful, but I never forget that you're the expert in your own life.

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I'll bring curiosity, compassion, and the occasional ACT metaphor. You can bring your full, imperfect self.

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Credentials & Background

1

Clinical Training

I bring a solid foundation in evidence-based practice, paired with a deep respect for the complexity of the human experience.

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)- Registered Nurse in Ontario

  • Perinatal Mental Health Certification (CC-PMH)- Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings

  • Leap Certification

  • Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents 

  • Brainspotting Phase 1 

Training in:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Trauma-sensitive and polyvagal-informed approaches

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Neurodivergence- affirming support

  • Compassionate Inquiry

  • Breastfeeding Support 

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Work Experience

I've worked in various health care settings- hospital units including psychiatry, community, and corrections. I carry that depth with me into every session.

  • Over 15 years as a Registered Nurse in diverse care settings

  • Clinical experience in:

    • Inpatient psychiatry and acute medical care​

    • High pressure hospital environments

    • Correctional health- a vital and underrepresented area of mental health care

  • Currently in private practice as an independent Nurse Psychotherapist, offering trauma-aware and compassion-led care virtually across Ontario, Nova Scotia and in person in Cornwall ON

  • Experienced group facilitator for breast feeding support 

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Lived & Special Focus Areas

My training meets my real- life experience here- where evidence and empathy meet.

  • Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS)

  • First responders and health care workers

  • Breastfeeding and infant feeding challenges

  • Rare food allergies (FPIES, FPIAP) and nutrition-related stress

  • Elimination and reintroduction diets

  • Parental burnout and identity shifts

  • Neurodivergence in parenting, caregiving, and adult identity

  • Health anxiety, caregiver overwhelm, and emotional resilience

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© 2025 by Tara Belanger, R.N. Psychotherapist.

Mindfully Nursed- Cornwall ON

I acknowledge that I practice on the traditional, unneeded territory of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. I also honour the Algonquin Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, and Abenaki peoples.

Committed to inclusivity and respect care for all.

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