We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tara Holmquist a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

The practice I created at the start of my journey is very different from what it looks like today. At first, I followed in the footsteps of those who did it before me. I had a mentor, and followed what they did step-by-step, as they were successful and busy. When I did what they suggested, in the order they suggested it, things fell into place and I also became very busy very quickly. However, I realized very quickly that while I was considered financially successful, I felt very stressed, insecure, and uncomfortable about how I was doing things. I started to question why my policies were what they were. I found myself dismissing and ignoring my own values in defense of my policies and practices. It wasn’t until I completely shifted, and refocused completely on my own values and created a practice that aligned with who I am and how I want to be in this world, that I personally finally felt successful. I had much less stress, and much more confidence in why I do what I do. If I could give any advice to a young professional beginning their private practice journey, it would be to start with identifying who they are, and where their values lie. Then, create the practice that makes you proud. Create the practice that you wish you saw more of in this world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist licensed in both California and Wisconsin. I have been in the field for 15+ years, and have had my own private practice for six years. My treatment focus is with adult individuals and my niches are relational/attachment trauma, and substance use/addiction.

There are probably several things that would “set me apart from others” in terms of what my practice looks like and how it operates. I wholeheartedly and proudly reject the traditional business model of what most people understand a private psychotherapy practice to be. Broadly, my business model takes a strong anticapitalist stance, and is focused solely on community care, mutual aid, and client centered practice. Every decision made in my practices and policies has the client as an individual in mind, but with an intent for community care. I do not make any decision about a client’s therapy, as I view it as a service I am providing them, and they hold the power of how it will be experienced for them.

Probably the biggest “difference” in practice from traditional models is that I utilize a Pay What You Can model of fee setting. This is exactly as it suggests- clients pay what they can for their therapy. My full rate was created as a value that covers business expenses as well as directly helping others who may not be able to pay the full fee. That is openly communicated to clients as well, and they determine what works for them for how often they decide they would like to attend. I have found that clients absolutely love this model- and while they can be confused and uncertain at first, once they understand that the practice is set up so that we are all in community with one another and we all can participate in each other’s care in some way (while still maintaining confidentiality and privacy), I have found that clients love knowing they are contributing to another’s care.

Overall, I have found that even though we are all victims AND participants in a harmful capitalistic system, there are ways to engage in business and in capitalism is the mot gentle ways possible, working toward perpetuating as little harm as possible. When we can’t completely diverge from capitalism, we can survive it gently with one another. Money is never at the forefront of any conversations with my clients. In this way, I also do not charge late cancel and no show fees. I honor client self determination. I trust my clients will make decisions that are best for them, and I do not believe in creating more punishments/consequences for people trying to survive harmful and oppressive systems, just so I benefit. All decisions are made so that both client and myself benefit, not one or the other. We survive together.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

I would absolutely choose the same profession and specialty. I don’t think I would have obtained a doctorate, however. I find that I have what I need with my master’s level training and experience. Other than the title, I have not found my knowledge or experience to differ, or be “better than” many of my colleagues who hold master’s level degrees.

I would also trust myself much earlier on. I would have stayed true to myself and my values, which would have changed the trajectory of much of my past experiences and choices. I would have started a practice sooner, and it would have looked much different at the onset.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Who I am in relationship with one person, is who I am in relationship with all people. I love connecting with people, and aligning myself with strong, brave dissenters. My strongest asset in anything and especially in marketing myself, has been my integrity, authenticity, and real love for all humans.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.therapyforattachment.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/tmhpsychotherapy
• Facebook: facebook.com/tmhpsych
• Other: tiktok: @radicalpsych