Tara L. Benincasa, LMHC, NCC is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor who began private practice at Capital Psychology in January 2011. Tara provides individual and family therapy services for children (ages 10 and above), adolescents, and adults. She has a specialty in working with people of all ages who have endured trauma, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as children and adolescents who have engaged in sexually acting out behaviors. She is Certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) and in Brainspotting. She utilizes these techniques along with somatic psychotherapy, CBT and TF-CBT, as treatment techniques. Tara also works with people who are struggling with depression and anxiety, teen and women's issues. Tara is a Headstrong Project Clinical Partner. The Headstrong Project is a non profit organization in NYC that provides cost free, bureaucracy free & confidential mental health services to post 9/11 veterans and military service members suffering from PTSD, depression & anxiety, substance abuse, as well as survivors of military sexual trauma. For more information, visit getheadstrong.org.
Tara has experience conducting risk assessments with youth who sexually act out. In addition, Tara conducts sex abuse assessments for local county agencies, utilizing the NYS Children's Justice Task Force Forensic Interviewing Best Practice Guidelines and APSAC Practice Guidelines for Psychosocial Evaluations of Suspected Sexual Abuse in Children. She is also hired as an expert witness in criminal trials for childhood sexual abuse cases. Tara has, and continues to supervise graduate level interns as well as other licensed professionals.
Prior to joining Capital Psychology, Tara was employed at St. Anne Institute/Community-Based Services for over 8 years. She served in many programs and roles, including the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program, Juvenile Sex Offender Program, and St. Anne/Samaritan Shelter for Youth Program (SASSY). In these programs Tara has served as clinician and/or supervisor. In addition, Tara volunteered with the American Red Cross as a disaster mental health worker and responded to the flooding in Fort Plains, NY during the summer of 2013. In addition to other professional memberships, Tara is a member of the American Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association-New York (ACA-NY). She has served on the Executive Board of ACA-NY as the Legislative and Public Policy Chair for 2013-2014, as President-Elect for 2014-2015, President for 2015-2016, and Past President for 2016-2017.
Tara offers clinical supervision to those with licensure, limited permits, and students seeking internships. She is able to provide consultation for EMDR as a Consultant-in-Training.
Tara grew up in Liverpool, N.Y. and moved to the Capital Region after college. She attended The College of Saint Rose for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She lives in Colonie, N.Y. with her husband, daughter, and three cats.