MEMBER: Tara

As Editorial Director and head writer of PeopleJam, I'm responsible for overall site content, direction and voice. Once upon a time, I was a practicing psychologist with my Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and M.Sc. in Counseling Psychology. I worked for over a decade delivering direct clinical services to diverse populations, both individuals and groups, in a variety of settings, specializing in mood disorders, couples counseling, interpersonal relationships, existential malaise, substance misuse and addictions, sexual dysfunction, and effective problem solving.

Two years ago, I began to lose interest in direct clinical services. The field was no longer a good fit. I took a deep breath, left my clinical position, and began doing freelance editorial and writing work. Although times were lean in the beginning, I never once looked back with regret. I'm happier and more fulfilled professionally than I've been in quite some time (even when I only netted $500 one month whilst living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan of all places). Friends and family encouraged me to continue doing clinical work as a safety net, but I knew if I kept one foot in the past, I wouldn't be able to move ahead into the future. I was right and my certainty in myself and my decisions paid off.

I have a long and strong standing interest in the application of psychoanalytic theory to the Arts. Prior to pursuing advanced psychology degrees, I was a fine arts/art history/art therapy student. I was fortunate to have an academic adviser who allowed me to merge my passions in my dissertation, "Ceci N’Est Pas Une Thèse: An Applied Psychoanalysis of René Magritte" (May 2004). My thesis examines early childhood-parental object loss, incomplete mourning, repetition compulsion and creative outcomes. I'm also on the board of directors of the Hospice Education Institute, a graduate member of the British Psychological Society, and a past member of the recently retired Jungian Seminars in Switzerland.

I look forward to connecting with the PeopleJam community and welcome your comments and feedback.

Kind Regards,
Dr. Tara J. Palmatier

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