Tara G. Chotem, B.A. Psychology, M.A. Counselling Psychology, Registered Clinical Counsellor; Certified Group Psychotherapist
Welcome to my web page. I have been working as a psychotherapist for over 30 years. Originally from Montreal, I have been happily living in Vancouver for the past 22 years and have a private practice in West Vancouver where I provide individual psychotherapy, couples counselling and women's self-esteem groups.
Individual Therapy
I work with a variety of issues including:
- Anxiety, stress and burnout
- Depression
- Identity and self-esteem issues
- Perfectionism
- Relationship and intimacy problems
And have extensive experience with:
- Adults who have suffered trauma and abuse as children
- Adult children of alcoholics
- Addictions and codependency
Couples Counselling
My work with couples is influenced by the research of Dr. John Gottman. His findings indicate that a couple has to accomplish three things to make a relationship last:
- Strengthen their friendship
- Work on ways to handle conflict
- Create ways to support each other's dreams
I conduct a thorough assessment with you to help me better understand your needs and then together we determine the goals for your therapy. I also assist couples in looking at underlying issues that may be causing problems in their relationship. Any problems with chemical dependency, childhood trauma, or depression in the relationship are addressed.
Women's Self Esteem Groups
I have enjoyed facilitating this group for over 15 years. The group is for women who want to understand and improve the way they think and feel about themselves. It helps you:
- Learn about yourself and your impact on others
- Receive feedback and learn new interpersonal skills
- Observe and practice assertiveness
- Identify and express emotions
It’s a unique opportunity to work on intimacy, interpersonal skills, and experiment with new behaviours which can then be transferred to outside relationships. You can download more information as a PDF here.
My Approach to Therapy
Although I may use different methods depending on your individual needs, my approach is primarily Psychodynamic.
This approach assumes:
- Feelings and behaviours today are influenced by our perception of our early life experiences
- Often, as a result of these experiences, we develop views of the world and patterns of behaviour that we are not conscious of
- Sometimes these views and behaviours can cause us considerable pain
In therapy, you become aware of and understand how these unconscious views are interfering with what you want in your life. With this increased awareness, you gain:
- More clarity in resolving problems
- A better ability to make positive choices
- The ability to determine the best direction for yourself
One of the hallmarks of the psychodynamic method is using the therapeutic relationship as an “agent of change”. This means that by working together in the “here and now” of the therapy sessions, you experience new ways of relating and resolving interpersonal difficulties.
My Background and Training
After working in business for a number of years, I went back to school and got my BA. in Psychology from Concordia University, Montreal (1980) and my M.A. in Counselling Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago (1988).
I started my clinical career in Montreal working in the addictions field and had a special interest in the effects of alcoholism on families. When I moved to Vancouver I initially worked in a group practice specializing in the treatment of adult children of alcoholics. At that time, I was also involved in starting Vancouver’s first residential co-dependency treatment program. I moved into my West Vancouver private practice in 1990.
I consider my own personal therapy to be a core foundation of my training. I completed five years of psychoanalysis and two years of interpersonal group therapy.
Advanced clinical training:
- Adult childhood trauma, three years with the Jane Middelton Moz Institute in Seattle
- Certificate in Psychoanalytic Scholarship, two year program at the Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study in Seattle
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Advanced Study: Assessment & Intervention, Gottman Institute, Seattle
- On-going clinical case conference and supervision with Psychoanalysts in Vancouver and Seattle