The Comox Valley will soon have a new counsellor. Tara Field is opening a private practice in Comox July 2.
“I earned my BA in psychology from McGill University 20 years ago but did not feel ready at that point to counsel others," Field said. “But facing and overcoming my own life challenges was the best education.”
In 2010, she decided it was time to go back to school. This year, she obtained a master of arts in counselling psychology.
Field will offer counselling and therapy services to clients of all ages, gender identities and sexual orientations. She will accept clients with varying issues but specialize in counselling youth and adults facing grief, end-of-life, sexual orientation and gender identity challenges. Her style is open, empathic and non-judgmental.
Field fulfilled the four-month practicum requirement of her masters by working with the Comox Valley Hospice Society. She learned invaluable counselling skills required to support individuals facing end-of-life issues and normal to complicated grief. She continues to volunteer her assessment and support services to hospice.
“The experience of loss, and its resulting grief, are at the root of many emotional, mental and behavioral challenges. The resolution of grief, facilitated by counselling, can have a profound impact on the future of individuals unable to successfully cope with their grief. Learning what grief looks like and developing constructive coping strategies makes this possible,” Field said. “As well, I am familiar with challenges faced by individuals with gender and sexual identity questions and challenges. This knowledge puts me in a unique position in a small community. My wish is for each young person to feel safe and welcome in his or her own family and community.”
For the past 11 years Field has been a freelance web designer. Entrepreneurship has been part of her family for generations. Her grandfather, Roy, and great-uncle, Ron, started Field Sawmill. Her great-grandfather, Hugh McKenzie, was a local blacksmith and born in Comox. Her grandmother, Joy Woodrow, was a renowned dance teacher and choreographer in the Valley.
Field’s office is located at 1822 Comox Ave. Call 250-339-9605 or visit www.tarafield.com.