Tara McCoy
Oneonta,NY
Summary
Experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma-informed, evidence-based care, including CBT, DBT, and EMDR. Proven expertise in clinical supervision and interdisciplinary collaboration, effectively supporting individuals with complex mental health needs. Committed to delivering compassionate, client-centered care and enhancing access to quality mental health services.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner & Founder
My Therapy Place
Virtual New York Practice, NY
09.2023 - Current
- Founded and led a virtual group psychotherapy practice serving teens and adults across New York State
- Provide individual therapy using trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches (CBT, DBT, EMDR-informed, IFS-informed)
- Supervised LMSW clinicians, enhancing skill development and ensuring high-quality care
- Managed practice operations, optimizing intake, scheduling, and insurance workflows
- Developed referral networks, driving ongoing growth of the practice
- Collaborate with clinicians to maintain a supportive, client-centered care environment
Mental Health Therapist
Therapy Insights Practice
New York, NY
10.2022 - 09.2023
- Documented client progress, ensuring continuity of care and therapeutic effectiveness.
- Performed client assessments and developed treatment plans.
- Utilized meditation and visualization to support clients in meeting therapeutic goals.
- Recommended community resources to clients, facilitating access to additional support and services.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Exhibited self-motivation and a strong commitment to personal responsibilities in all tasks.
- Monitored client behavior and responses to treatment, informing adjustments to therapeutic approaches.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy
and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Virtual Mental Health Therapist
Tia
New York, NY
12.2021 - 02.2023
- Perform client assessments and develop patient-centered, comprehensive, and coherent care
plans. - Utilize family-centered, strengths-based, culturally competent support to help clients meet therapeutic goals.
- Complete timely documentation of client progress in confidential files for an accurate and
complete medical record. - Conducted safety assessments and referred clients to community resources.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health and medical professionals to provide
consistent care and minimize diversion. - Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy
and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). - Utilized positive uncertainty and multi-systemic family systems therapy to encourage clients
and help them handle ambiguity, accept inconsistencies, and trust their intuition in decision-making. - Strong knowledge and deep understanding of mental health therapies and motivation, and
a desire to deliver these services at the highest quality and ethical standards.
School Social Worker
Rensselaer City School District
Rensselaer, NY
05.2019 - 09.2021
- Provided skills-based individual and small group counseling services for students with IEP and
504 plans. - Collaborated daily with special education teachers, general education teachers, and related service providers and support staff to ensure fidelity in delivery of services for students with
disabilities. - Provided ongoing teacher and staff consultations to support the academic, behavioral, and social
emotional needs of students served in general education, resource room, preschool, and special education programs. - Interviewed and consulted with teachers on academic and behavioral interventions.
- Collaborated with mental health and community-based service providers to coordinate referrals to specialty services.
DSRIP Social Worker
BHNNY Cares
Albany, New York
04.2018 - 05.2019
- Identified and engaged through outreach, those individuals who would benefit from tcase
management. - Identified and/or controlled variances in care delivery associated with but not limited to home care services, pharmacy utilization, and rehabilitation services.
- Advocated for members and their families to receive needed services through both their
mental health plan benefits and community resources. - Assumed responsibility and accountability for care plan development to include: Assessment,
Planning, Implementation, Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation to assure optimal
member outcome. - Collaborated with the inpatient care coordinator and internal and external resources to initiate discharge planning.
- Controlled for duplication and fragmentation of care by assuring consistency, continuity, and
coordination. - Effectively utilized community resources and support services to minimize and prevent
inappropriate hospital stays and maintain maximum achievable health status.
School Social Worker
Questar III BOCES
Rensselaer, New York
09.2017 - 04.2018
- Attended special education assessment meetings and individual educational planning meetings.
- Assisted in developing positive behavior intervention strategies.
Provided group and individual counseling. - Worked with identified problems in the child's living environment that affect the child's adjustment
in school, at home, and in their community. - Provided crisis intervention and intervention strategies that supported increased academic success for students.
- Assisted with conflict resolution, anger management, and developing appropriate school
interaction strategies. - Provided direct support to staff, assisted teachers with behavior management, and participated in
developing and delivering staff in-service training programs.
Adult and Juvenile Drug Court Case Manager
NYS Unified Court System
Albany, NY
10.2008 - 06.2016
- Supplied crisis interventions and substance abuse services to patients in Adult and Juvenile
Drug Court program. - Interviewed and evaluated clients, including conducting safety and risk assessments.
- Provided therapeutic services and crisis intervention support to Drug Court participants, fostering recovery and stability.
- Worked with medical teams, patients, and families to implement effective treatment plans.
- Maintained detailed case notes and coordinated follow-up activities, ensuring continuity of care and effective case management.
- Conducted random drug screens and breathalyzer tests on drug court participants.
- Performed home visits, attended/facilitated inter-agency and community-based meetings.
Supervisor of Family Intervention Services
Gateway Community Services
Jacksonville, FL
07.2006 - 07.2008
- Delivered outreach, intervention, and case management services to support child welfare clients in achieving stability and safety.
- Provided training and clinical support to counselors and case managers.
- Maintained regular communication with referring sources, the Juvenile Justice worker, and thetarget case
managers, Children and Families case workers, court systems, and other community agencies. - Performed quality management tasks to ensure compliance with standards.
- Completed intake assessments, provided crisis intervention, and maintained daily progress notes.
- Responsible for the establishment, maintenance, and transfer of required client files and
documentation associated with client records. - Provided on-call counseling services for clients involved with Gateway Community Services.
- Facilitated family therapy and group therapy for individuals with Substance Use Disorders, creating tailored discharge plans for clients needing continuing care.
Clinical Specialist
Conifer Park
Glenville, NY
05.2004 - 07.2006
- Delivered trauma-informed care to individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders
- Delivered individual and group therapy in inpatient/outpatient substance use treatment to enhance patient recovery outcomes
- Facilitated psychoeducational and process groups on recovery, relapse prevention, and coping skills to empower individuals in their recovery journey
- Utilized evidence-based approaches to support stabilization, engagement, and long-term recovery
- Conducted comprehensive assessments, informing multidisciplinary treatment planning to optimize patient care
- Collaborated with medical and clinical teams to support continuity of care and discharge planning
- Maintained timely, accurate clinical documentation in compliance with regulatory standards
Education
Master of Social Welfare - Social Work
State University of New York At Albany
Albany, NY05-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Hartwick College
Oneonta, NY05-2002
Skills
- Clinical Leadership & Supervision
- Program Development & Practice Operations
- Comprehensive Assessment & Treatment Planning
- Crisis Intervention & Risk Assessment
- Trauma-Informed & Evidence-Based Practice (CBT, DBT, EMDR-informed, IFS-informed)
- Individual, Group, and Family Therapy
- Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment
- Care Coordination & Discharge Planning
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration (medical, school, and community systems)
- Behavioral & Mental Health Support Across the Lifespan
- Clinical Documentation & HIPAA Compliance
- Client-Centered, Relational Care
Timeline
Owner & Founder
My Therapy Place
09.2023 - Current
Mental Health Therapist
Therapy Insights Practice
10.2022 - 09.2023
Virtual Mental Health Therapist
Tia
12.2021 - 02.2023
School Social Worker
Rensselaer City School District
05.2019 - 09.2021
DSRIP Social Worker
BHNNY Cares
04.2018 - 05.2019
School Social Worker
Questar III BOCES
09.2017 - 04.2018
Adult and Juvenile Drug Court Case Manager
NYS Unified Court System
10.2008 - 06.2016
Supervisor of Family Intervention Services
Gateway Community Services
07.2006 - 07.2008
Clinical Specialist
Conifer Park
05.2004 - 07.2006
Master of Social Welfare - Social Work
State University of New York At Albany
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Hartwick College