About Me

TARA STEINKE, LMFT #137738 (She/her)

Hi, I’m Tara,

​You may be someone who is driven, thoughtful, and capable—but internally, you’re dealing with anxiety, relationship stress, sexual intimacy issues or working through major life transitions that you're finding harder to navigate on your own.

​

I specialize in working with professionals, creatives, and high-achieving individuals who want more than just coping—they want meaningful, lasting change. My areas of expertise include anxiety, life transitions, and sex & relational therapy.

​

In our work together, we’ll look at both the immediate challenges you’re facing and the deeper patterns underneath them. Whether that means reducing anxiety in high-pressure environments, improving communication and intimacy in relationships, or helping you feel more grounded during a period of change, therapy is tailored to your specific goals and experiences.​​ Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, I focus on creating a space that is thoughtful, personalized, and responsive to you. I'm also a 500-hour RYT certified yoga and meditation teacher and will incorporate somatic and mindfulness exercises into therapy as needed. Previously, I gained experience as a sexual assault advocate and have extensive training working with people struggling  with sexual trauma histories.  

​

Before becoming a therapist, I spent several years working in the entertainment industry, which gives me a unique understanding of high-performance cultures, creative careers, and the pressures that often come with them. I received my  M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University with an emphasis on trauma studies. I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest where I attended the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in Psychology and Gender Studies.

​

I offer telehealth sessions across California, as well as in-person sessions in West Hollywood (90046).

​​​​

​​

If you’re looking for a therapist who combines depth, practicality, and an understanding of your world, I’d be glad to connect.    ​​​

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

​​

• Licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)

• Member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

• Member of American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, Therapists (AASECT): Completed   training in sexual health for adults/youth, sex therapy, sensate focus, communication skills, sexual trauma, couples therapy, kink & consensual non-monogamy, sexual development across the lifespan, treating sexual dysfunction/pain, using ACT for sex therapy.

​

ADDITIONAL TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS​

• Asylum Medicine Forensic Psychological Assessments - (Core Curriculum) -Physicians for Human Rights (2026)

• Forensic Psychological Immigration Assessment Certification - Georgia King (2026)

• Safe and Sound Protocol Certification (2022)                             
  (Polyvagal Theory- Steven Porges)

• Community Resiliency Model (CRM) Certified    (Level 1)   (2020)                            
  Trauma Resource Institute    

• Psychological First Aid Certification  (2020)                       
  National Child Traumatic Stress Network

• TF- CBT Certification (2019)                                              
  The Medical University of Southern Carolina (MUSC)/Antioch University
   

​​