Welcome to Core Counseling Centers, where we provide support for life’s expected and unexpected transitions.
Life is full of transitions—some expected, others sudden—and each brings its own set of challenges. As a therapist specializing in relationships and life changes, I provide a supportive space to help individuals and couples navigate the complexities of
Pregnancy & Postpartum
Postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, birth trauma, and the identity shift that comes with becoming a mother — sometimes called matrescence. I hold the PMH-C, the national certification in perinatal mental health, so this isn't a side interest; it's my specialty.
Relationships
Couples navigating the strain a new baby puts on a partnership, communication breakdowns, and rebuilding connection — including Gottman-informed work.
Also supporting:
Adults facing anxiety, depression, grief, major life transitions (career change, divorce, becoming an empty-nester), narcissistic abuse recovery, and the emotional side of perimenopause and menopause.
Tara Core, LPC, NCC, PMH-C
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in perinatal mental health and relationships. I help pregnant and postpartum clients move through postpartum anxiety and depression, birth trauma, and the disorienting identity shift of new motherhood — and I help couples rebuild connection when a new baby has put real strain on the relationship.
I hold the PMH-C, the national certification in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International, along with Level 1 Gottman training for couples work. My approach draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and psychodynamic theory, tailored to what you actually need session to session — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Therapy with me is a place to say the things that feel too hard to say elsewhere: the intrusive thought you haven't told anyone about, the resentment you feel guilty for having, the grief underneath the gratitude everyone expects you to perform. I bring empathy, directness, and real clinical training in this specific season of life — not just general talk therapy.
I see clients virtually, statewide across Connecticut.
Tara Core, LPC, NCC, PMH-C
Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Perinatal Mental Health Certified and Narcissitic Abuse Recovery. Level 1 Gottman training
Perinatal and Menopause
If you're pregnant or in your first year postpartum and something feels off — more than the exhaustion everyone warns you about — you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting roughly 1 in 5 birthing parents, yet they're still frequently missed or brushed off as "just the baby blues." As a PMH-C certified therapist, this is the population I trained specifically to support.
Life Transitions
Big life changes don't stop being disruptive just because they're common. Whether you're adjusting to a new baby, navigating separation or divorce, blending a family, watching your kids grow into a new stage, or rethinking your career, transitions like these can shake your sense of footing even when you know, logically, that change is normal.
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
Recovering from narcissistic abuse is disorienting in a specific way: you're not just healing from what happened, you're often relearning how to trust your own perception of reality. If you're feeling confused, drained, or unsure of your own worth after a relationship marked by manipulation or control, that reaction makes complete sense — and it's treatable.
PMADS
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
Types of PMADs
Postpartum Depression (PPD): Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in things you used to enjoy — often alongside fatigue, trouble bonding with your baby, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Postpartum Anxiety (PPA): Intense worry, restlessness, and racing thoughts that don't let up, sometimes including panic attacks or intrusive thoughts you can't shake.
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (PPOCD): Disturbing, unwanted thoughts about your baby's safety, paired with compulsive behaviors aimed at preventing harm. These thoughts are frightening but common, and having them does not mean you'd act on them.
Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PPTSD): Often triggered by a traumatic birth experience — flashbacks, nightmares, and a heightened sense of danger that lingers well after delivery.Often triggered by a traumatic birth experience — flashbacks, nightmares, and a heightened sense of danger that lingers well after delivery.
Postpartum Psychosis: A rare but serious condition involving hallucinations, delusions, or severe confusion. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate care — if this applies to you or someone you love, please contact 911 or the nearest emergency room right away.
Perimenopause and Menopause
Perimenopause and menopause are significant hormonal transitions that can deeply impact mental health. During these stages, women may experience emotional and psychological symptoms due to fluctuating estrogen, progesterone, and other hormonal changes.
Mental Health Challenges During Perimenopause and Menopause
Common emotional and psychological symptoms include:
Mood swings
Anxiety
Depression
Irritability and anger
Brain fog and memory issues
Sleep disturbances, which can worsen mental health
Parenting Transitons
New parenthood — adjusting to sleepless nights, a changed identity, and shifting relationship dynamics
Separation or divorce — co-parenting, custody, and the emotional weight of restructuring your family
Blended families — building trust with stepchildren and finding your footing in a new family structure
Shifting child development stages — from infancy through adolescence
Empty nest — redefining who you are and what your relationships look like once kids leave home
Career Transitions
Starting a new role, switching industries, or leaving a long-term job
Layoffs, and the identity and financial stress that come with them
Burnout and emotional exhaustion
Imposter syndrome and self-doubt in a new environment
Struggles with work-life balance
Therapy during a transition isn't about rushing you to "get over it." It's a place to process what's actually happening, get some clarity on what you want next, and build the resilience to move through it instead of just white-knuckling it. Book a free 15-minute consultation to get started.
In-network with Anthem, Aetna, and United Healthcare.
I also offer self-pay sessions for clients with other insurance or who prefer to pay out of pocket:
Diagnostic Evaluation: $225
Individual Psychotherapy (60 min): $200
Family Psychotherapy with client present: $200
Ready to talk:
15 Minute Complimentary Consultation
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover how our customized solutions can help you reach your wellness goals. Sessions are 100% virtual, for adults located in Connecticut.