Dr. Tarra Bates-Duford
Licensed Therapist, MS, LMFT
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In therapy with me, you'll be accepted and encouraged—you can feel safe to be your authentic self without judgment or self-editing. My approach is not cookie-cutter; I’ll work with you to create a plan that is specific to who you are. I value being part of meaningful change and helping you move toward the life you want. My background includes working with couples, LGBTQIA+ individuals, human trafficking survivors, and people with sexual trauma. I also have experience treating dissociative identity disorder, severe and persistent mental illness, relationship issues, trauma, personality disorders, and severe and chronic depression.
In therapy with me, you'll be accepted and encouraged—you can feel safe to be your authentic self without judgment or self-editing. My approach is not cookie-cutter; I’ll work with you to create a plan that is specific to who you are. I value being part of meaningful change and helping you move toward the life you want. My background includes working with couples, LGBTQIA+ individuals, human trafficking survivors, and people with sexual trauma. I also have experience treating dissociative identity disorder, severe and persistent mental illness, relationship issues, trauma, personality disorders, and severe and chronic depression.
Location
Licensed in Florida, Washington
About
Clinical Expertise
OCD, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, Skin picking, Hair pulling, Nail biting, Tics, Children and Adolescents
LGBTQ+ affirming
Cultural competencies
Christianity, Atheism, Hinduism
Education
Walden University
Insurance
Plans accepted by Dr. Tarra
Aetna, Ascension SmartHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York, Cigna, ClaimDOC, Claritev (MultiPlan) PHCS, Curative, Forest County Potawatomi, GEHA, Healthcare Management Administrators, Highmark, Horizon BCBS, Imagine Health, Independence Blue Cross, Medical Mutual, Meritain Health, Oscar Health, Partners Direct Health, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, Regence BlueShield, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence Group Administrators, UHC Student Services, UMR, UMR - The Alliance, United Health Care Student Services, United Healthcare,
Want to work with Dr. Tarra?
Talk with our team to learn more.
Get to know Dr. Tarra
Why I became a therapist
My journey to therapy occurred 25 years ago: I wanted to be part of the solution rather than a bystander to the problem. What made me want to specialize in OCD was seeing how often people believe they should be able to control behaviors or stop responding to things that ultimately cause more stress in the long run. Trying to understand OCD better made me become really interested in helping people break that cycle.
How I create a safe, supportive environment in therapy
One of the most disappointing things I've observed in therapy is when a person doesn't feel safe enough to be their organic self and feels they have to self-edit because of fear of judgment. I pride myself on creating an environment that does not promote judgment—one that feels safe, accepting, and encouraging.
My message to you if you're considering therapy
If you're considering exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, I would say: just take the initiative and get started. I know it may feel scary, but once you start the process, you're on the road to the life you want. If you're considering ERP, it means it's something that's been on your mind and weighing on you. You may be surprised by how much can change once you engage in the process.
How I tailor treatment
Everyone is unique and different, so I don't typically perform in a cookie-cutter way. I create a plan and course of treatment that is unique and very specific to the individual. What works for one person will not necessarily work for someone else. I try to utilize an eclectic approach, and I've found that people often feel both seen and heard.
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