Tara McDonnell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) who specializes in working with children under 6. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University. Tara is dedicated to providing early intervention to help families create a strong and healthy foundation for a lifetime of health and well-being, and has worked successfully with children who have experienced anxiety, attachment issues, depression, divorce, grief and loss, sensory processing challenges, sexual abuse, and trauma, as well as gifted children with social-emotional difficulties. Before opening a private practice, Tara began her career in mental health at the Center for Child Counseling, the leading social service agency in Palm Beach County serving children under 6 who have experienced trauma.

Tara has extensive experience and training in evidenced-based interventions such as Child-Centered Play Therapy, Brazelton Touchpoints, Infant Mental Health, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and utilizing art therapy techniques. Tara is also an HSP-Knowledgeable Professional, specializing in working with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) and Children (HSCs). Tara has provided services in a variety of settings including schools and child-care centers and is certified in teaching yoga to children and families. Tara has also provided professional training in supporting the social-emotional wellness of children and families to police officers, first responders, teachers school counselors, and pediatricians. Prior to her work in the mental health field, Tara spent her career raising money for nonprofit organizations in the community.

Play Therapy Supervision

Tara provides both individual and group supervision for Registered Clinical Social Work Interns as well as clinicians working toward their Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential.

 *As of January 2020, all supervision requirements for the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential must be met by meeting with a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S). Requirements include 350 face-to-face play therapy hours relative to 35 clinical supervision hours, completed in a tiered phasing system. Please visit the Association for Play Therapy for more information.

* Note: Tara is an LCSW. Please be aware of your own licensing body’s requirements for obtaining supervision.

Jillian Lepera is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who specializes in working with children, adolescents and young adults in relationship building, communication strategies, and trauma resolution. She received her undergraduate degree from Emory University in Psychology and Dance and her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine from Boston University Medical School.

Jillian believes in working with the adolescent-parent dyad using empowering strategies that foster relationship building and communication. She has provided services in many arenas including: community mental health, inpatient residential, outpatient therapy, group therapy settings and pediatric primary care. Dedicated to considering the whole mind, body and spirit in therapeutic work, Jillian brings creativity, self-expression and positive psychology to help individuals create meaningful lives and relationships. Her approach encompasses behavioral, cognitive, dialectical-behavioral and person-centered treatment modalities. She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a therapy effective for trauma resolution. Trained in art therapy techniques and play therapy strategies, Jillian provides creative interventions and modes of expression for her clients. She holds a background in the creative arts and dance, which brings an exciting and unique spin to her work with adolescents.

A Palm Beach County native, Jillian is always seeking an outdoor adventure and plans to build the outdoor therapy arena into the South Florida community. When not providing therapy services, you may find her paddle-boarding, fishing, exercising outside or working on her green thumb.

* Note: Jillian is an LMHC. Please be aware of your own licensing body’s requirements for obtaining supervision.