Meet Dr. Tara
Discover the heart behind Raising up the Foundation, where healing begins with a compassionate, whole-person approach.
My journey to whole-person healing
My journey into whole-person counseling began in my mid-twenties, after a spinal disc injury that traced back to an accident at sixteen. Specialists urged surgery and warned I might still walk off-balance and in discomfort. Their only alternative was narcotics—something I refused.
In that vulnerable season, I cried out to God for a holistic path, not to replace my doctors, but to help me heal in a way that honored my entire being. Through that experience, I discovered something life-changing: the body, spirit, and soul are inseparable partners in healing, and the right approach must be tailored to the individual, not forced into a single mold. I also discovered an anointed mentor is also needed.
That revelation didn’t just restore me—it shaped my purpose. It became the foundation of the whole-person work I now offer, helping others find alignment, clarity, and renewal in the same integrated way that saved me.
My philosophy: Healing is layered, holistic, and sacred
My approach is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to be seen in their fullness—body, spirit, and soul. I do not offer theory alone; I offer lived experience. I do not rely solely on academic training; I bring spiritual discernment, emotional intelligence, and decades of walking with people through their trials, breakthroughs, and transformations.
I have spent my life helping others rebuild what was broken, rediscover what was lost, and rise into who they were always meant to be. My work is shaped by science, strengthened by faith, and guided by the wisdom gained from serving thousands of individuals across many seasons of life.
Everything I offer—whether counseling, wellness coaching, group sessions, or whole‑person alignment—is infused with the fullness of my journey, my training, my calling, and my heart for people. When clients work with me, they receive not just a service, but a legacy of care, a foundation of wisdom, and a safe, sacred space to heal, grow, and transform.
This is who I am. This is the work I was born to do. And it is my honor to walk with you on your journey toward wholeness.
Credentials, experience, and community work
I am a woman shaped by science, strengthened by faith, refined through service, and called to walk with people through the deepest parts of their healing journey. My background includes a B.S. in Biology, extensive certifications and trainings as a wellness coach and fitness instructor through the College of ASM, a Doctorate in Christian Education from the accredited FIBC, and certification in Mental Awareness from Light University. These are not all of my credentials, and my expertise is not limited to what is listed here. They provided structure—but my calling was shaped by something far greater.
For more than 25 years, I have served my community through mentorship, advocacy, and whole‑person guidance. My work has spanned generations, families, and individuals seeking clarity, healing, and alignment. This lifelong commitment led to being honored with the Barack Obama Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition that reflects not only years of service, but devotion, compassion, and unwavering presence.
"My calling is to walk with you—mind, body, soul, and spirit—until you see yourself clearly again."
Dr. Tara, Raising up the Foundation