Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Lutz, FL

I am a licensed clinician offering individual counseling services in-person or via telehealth for adults, adolescents, and children. I earned my master's degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida. I am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). My experience includes working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds across a variety of settings, including integrated behavioral health and primary care.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience helping clients navigate mental and emotional challenges. I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Florida State University. My passion is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can gain insight into their lives and work toward personal growth and healing.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have spent the last eight years working with “at-risk” children and adolescents, referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Diversion programs. I currently work with the Genesis Women’s Clinic assisting antepartum and postpartum moms suffering from Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder, the Family Care Clinic providing Behavioral Therapy to families and adults, and the Pediatric Clinic at TGH Healthpark.

I received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Fort Lewis College, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Science from the University of South Florida, and a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from USF. My therapeutic approach is influenced by my clinical training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

I work with individuals, children, and families, helping them rebuild life skills while addressing mental health challenges. I completed my Bachelor’s in Psychology at the University of South Florida and earned my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. I am bilingual in both English and Spanish, and I’ve worked extensively with Hispanic families, making me uniquely suited to address their specific needs.

My additional training includes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Integrative Harm Reduction Techniques, and I’m currently undergoing training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, and I strive to create a space where clients can openly explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences at their own pace.

I understand that reaching out for help can feel vulnerable, and I value the trust my clients place in me. I work to meet each person where they are while helping them build insight, coping skills, resilience, and confidence. I believe in balancing empathy and validation with practical tools and strategies that support meaningful and lasting change.

Clients often describe me as compassionate, approachable, calming, and easy to talk to. I utilize evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care, while tailoring treatment to each client’s individual needs and goals.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling with depression, carrying the weight of past trauma, or finding yourself stuck in relationship patterns that no longer serve you, you're not alone. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or unsure how to move forward. Others are navigating grief, family challenges, relationship concerns, or major life transitions that leave them feeling disconnected from themselves.

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I provide a warm, supportive space where you can openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without fear of judgment. My goal is to help you better understand what's contributing to your current struggles, build on your strengths, and develop practical tools that support healing, confidence, and meaningful change.

Many of my clients look like they have it together—but inside, they feel stuck, anxious, or emotionally overwhelmed in their relationships. I help adults untangle painful patterns rooted in emotional neglect, people-pleasing, or past relationships that felt confusing or unsafe. Together, we’ll slow down, go deep, and help you get to the root of the issue.

I graduated with honors from National Louis University with my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I received a bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 2013 from Walsh University in Ohio. I taught children with varying exceptionalities and learning differences for five years. I have over ten years of experience working with children and adults with autism, ADHD, and various learning disabilities.

I utilize interventions of various approaches to best assist my clients in accomplishing their individual goals. These approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness Based Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Narrative Therapy. I am also a certified yoga teacher.

Explore the difference of in-person therapy in an uplifted, spa-like environment in St. Pete & Hyde Park.

Originally from New York, I hold a masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a BA in Neuroscience. I worked at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies for thirteen years alongside world-class health and wellness experts, which brings depth to my work as a psychotherapist. I studied Buddhism and have practiced yoga and meditation for over 20 years. Clients describe me calm, warm and resourceful. Client testimonials can be found on my website.

Tara Payne is the owner and founder of Payne Influential Mental Health. She is a board-certified

Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner (PMHNP). She obtained her Master of Science in

Nursing from the University of South Alabama. Tara has been a Registered Nurse for almost 20

years in which she has been devoted to helping and treating patients with a variety of conditions.

She has specialized in critical care, mental health, and several other acute care specialties. Tara is a Perinatal Mental Health provider through PSI (Postpartum Support International) as well as a Trauma Certified provider. Tara has learned how vital mental health is when it comes to treating a patient as a “whole” person. This has driven her passion to help serve the mental health community and those in need of mental health management.

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