Tara Barthel

Tara Barthel

After serving for ~30 years as a faith-based mediator, author, and speaker, I am now working as a mental health professional* in Billings, Montana. My past ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) experiences of helping people who faced relational conflict related to trauma, addiction, lawsuits and criminal matters, church and business disputes, sexual assaults (and much more), have all combined to affect and inform how I approach my work as a mental health counselor.

As an AHEC Scholar (Area Health Education Center Scholar), I am honored to be recognized nationally as a health professional who is committed to academic excellence and the transformation of healthcare in my community through interprofessional frameworks in rural and underserved communities. To earn my standing as an AHEC Scholar, I completed 100+ additional hours of training above and beyond my Master’s program. As a result, I have a particular interest in serving:

  • CPTSD/PTSD survivors seeking to increase resilience and peace
  • Chronic and acute pain sufferers, including those who take medically-prescribed opiates and other impairing medications
  • Persons struggling with weight stigma and health goals, including those using medications to assist with weight control
  • Shocked people facing civil and criminal legal matters themselves or in their family
  • Devoted religious persons trying to reconcile with their faith the emotional / physical / sexual abuse, shame, guilt, depression, and hopelessness that they (or people they love) have faced within religious institutions and relationships

Also, because of my JD/MBA former work in financial advising and high net-worth charitable estate planning, I also reserve specific time in my schedule to assist persons facing conflicts and counseling needs regarding financial matters; distribution of assets or estates; and business leaders, church, or other charitable entity leaders.

For more information on my counseling services (available only in the state of Montana), please:

  • Visit my Psychology Today listing
  • Watch my four introductory videos, which include a brief introduction; a visit from my Golden Retriever service animal; why counseling did not work for me (initially); and a note about how much I enjoy working with clients who want their faith to inform the clinical counseling that I provide.

If, after learning more about my practice, you believe that I might be a good fit for you as a counselor, please contact me so that we can set up a brief, introductory call: 406-200-8273 or tarabarthel@treeoflifetherapycenter.com (927 Broadwater Sq., Billings).

Please note that I spend the majority of my professional time serving as a mental health professional. I am open, however, to inquiries related to my work as a faith-based Christian ADR specialist, and I will consider speaking inquiries as well. Please complete the relevant form to contact me about these matters:

Christian ADR Services and Speaking Events

Thank you and blessings,

Tara

Tara Barthel, MS, PCLC, JD, MBA
Mental health professional, Christian ADR specialist, attorney, author, trauma survivor, and beloved child of grace, wife, mother, and friend

PS – My resource page remains open for purchases of my two books and my video series (now available completely online). I am happy to offer discounted or gratis online versions of my video series to persons in need and to charitable entities. Please contact me for more information.

* Professional Clinical Licensure Candidate, supervised by Kelly Buck, LCSW (License Number 25994), at Tree of Life Therapy Center, P.C. (927 Broadwater Sq., Billings, Montana 59101).