About Dr. Tara

I have experience providing bilingual (English/Spanish) services to children, families, couples, and adults in a variety of settings including community mental health clinics, hospitals, and homeless shelters.

I began my clinical work at Casa Familiar and Catholic Charities. I completed an APA-approved Pre-Doctoral Internship at Pacific Clinics, my Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Palomar Health, and before going into private practice, worked in Sharp Mesa Vista's Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Intensive Outpatient Program.

I also have a Dual Ph.D in Organizational Psychology and I have provided consulting services to stakeholders focusing on virtual learning, work-life balance, burnout, workplace conflict resolution, and employee engagement. 

I received my Bachelor of Arts from UC Irvine majoring in Psychology and Social Behavior with a minor in Spanish. I completed my Dual Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology- San Diego. 

• Recipient of the 2019 Orange County Psychological Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Award
• First author of: Ethnic socialization, perceived discrimination, and psychological adjustment among transracially adopted and nonadopted ethnic minority adults. By Arnold, Tara,Braje, Sopagna Eap,Kawahara, Debra, Shuman, Tara, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Vol 86(5), 2016, 540-551

San Diego Psychological Association

• Cultural Diversity Committee Member

Orange County Psychological Association

When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my family, public speaking, cooking, fitness, hiking, reading, going to the beach, animals, and playing the piano.