Tarra Judson Stariell is a retired licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)who received a Master of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University. She additionallyspecialized in child and adolescent development. Needing to reclaim herself after 12years in a cult, she returned to school and studied psychology to heal and subsequentlyhelp others.For her recovery, she studied numerous modalities to address the trauma shehad sustained. During this process, Tarra became certified as an EMDR II therapist anda Certified Bioenergetic Therapist (CBT) and Faculty Trainer. She has also been trainedin Somatic Experiencing (SE). For her work with couples, she studied and utilizedEmotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT).While practicing she was a Clinical Fellow of the American Association forMarriage, Family Therapists (AAMFT), a member of the California Association forMarriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the International Institute for BioenergeticAnalysis (IIBA).Tarra chronicled this journey in her first book, Sanity Lost and Found: A TrueStory of Brainwashing and Recovery. Using her life story as the backdrop she hoped tohelp others better their understanding of how childhood experiences impact us and howwe become vulnerable to negative influences as a result. Included are ways to workthrough the resulting dysfunctional behaviors and patterns and what it takes to healfrom the vicissitudes we all face in life. Most importantly, are the examples of the powerof resiliency, compassion, and forgiveness.Tarra's clinical work began with homeless, and substance abusing VietnamVeterans and continued with substance abusing, pregnant and/or parenting adolescentson probation. Besides providing therapy for these adolescents, she also presentedgroups on domestic violence, parenting skills, stress reduction and coping tools toeliminate substance abuse cravings. At another work location, Tarra providedcounseling for adolescent boys in a gang diversion program who were attending analternative high school as part of their probation.Working with homeless and monolingual Hispanic families and their obesechildren, she joined other professionals offering changes in areas of behavioral health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. Before moving to strictly private practice, she also didcontract work with St. Clare's Homes and a grant driven program awarded by InterfaithCommunity Services, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Columbia University.As the therapist for this program named CASAWORKS, Tarra provided psychotherapyfor homeless and substance dependent women and their children on Welfare. It was apilot program researching welfare to work solutions.In 2001, Tarra established the Center for SELF Discovery and also maintained anoffice in San Diego. She made a promise to her clients not to write about theirexperiences and instead is offering some of the lessons she has learned within thesestories. Flashpoints of Awareness is a light summary of some personal experiencesand pratfalls with their corrections; all shared in hopes of helping expand our awarenessand sense of well-being.
