Richard Tarazon

Some stress does not announce itself. For law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS professionals, it often shows up as emotional distance, trouble shutting down after a shift, or a tension that has started affecting relationships. For couples, it looks like the same conflict that never quite resolves, or a disconnection that has become

the new normal. I work with adults, couples, and first responders who are ready to better understand themselves and create lasting change.

I earned my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and have completed Levels 1 and 2 of Gottman Method Couples Therapy, along with specialized training in Treating Affairs and Trauma. My clinical approach also draws from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

I work with adults, couples, and first responders experiencing relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, emotional regulation challenges, self-esteem concerns, and interpersonal difficulties. I have a particular interest in supporting law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other public safety professionals navigating the unique demands of high-stress careers, cumulative stress, relationships, and work-life balance.

I also enjoy helping couples improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, navigate conflict, and work through concerns involving trust and infidelity.

My style is warm, collaborative, and practical. I help clients recognize patterns, build useful skills, and make meaningful changes while tailoring therapy to each person’s individual needs, experiences, and strengths.

Therapy works best when it feels both supportive and honest. That means I will ask meaningful questions and offer direct feedback, not just listen while you talk through the same story. And it means the approach we use will depend on what you actually need, not a standard protocol applied to everyone.

Because no single approach works for everyone, I integrate several evidence-based methods, including the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Depending on your needs, we may work on understanding how thoughts and emotions influence behavior, developing healthier coping and emotional regulation skills, exploring deeper emotional patterns, or strengthening communication and connection in relationships.

When working with couples, I help partners identify negative cycles, communicate more effectively, manage conflict, strengthen friendship and intimacy, and rebuild emotional connection and trust. With individuals, our work may focus on gaining insight, developing practical skills, improving relationships, and creating healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges.

Ultimately, I want therapy to be more than simply talking about what’s wrong. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, develop tools you can use outside of therapy, and translate insight into meaningful change in your everyday life.

Clients can expect sessions to be supportive, collaborative, and purposeful. My goal is for you to leave with a better understanding of yourself, your emotions, relationships, and the patterns that may be contributing to the challenges you’re experiencing.

Together, we will work to develop practical tools you can use outside of therapy, whether that means communicating more effectively, managing difficult emotions, setting healthier boundaries, navigating conflict, or responding differently to stress and challenging situations.

I believe insight is important, but meaningful change also comes from putting that insight into practice. Over time, my hope is that you feel more confident in your ability to navigate challenges, strengthen your relationships, and make choices that are consistent with the life you want to create.