Tara Hooks, MS
Tara L. Hooks is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas and holds a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas. She earned her Bachelors degree from the University of Texas at Austin where she studied the field of psychology and pursued a minor in business. While at the University of Texas, Mrs. Hooks participated in an organization called 'Women in Psychology' in order to help educate students on campus about mental illness.

Mrs. Hooks has experience working with diverse populations, including two years working with Collin County Mental Health Mental Retardation providing counseling, skills training, and crisis management to low-income individuals of all ages with diagnoses of Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia. She has also spent time working in the private practice setting in Austin. As a graduate student, Mrs. Hooks greatly enjoyed counseling and using various psychological assessment tools to provide students at the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University with the opportunity to develop career aspirations and learn coping skills to manage issues surrounding adjustment to college life. She also helped develop and provide lectures for students, staff, and faculty at Southern Methodist University on topics such as the Psychology of Creativity and Conflict Resolution.

Mrs. Hooks provides individual, couples, and family counseling services. Additionally, she has extensive knowledge of and experience with intellectual, psychological, and academic assessment. She works primarily with adolescents and adults of all ages. Her diagnostic specialties include depression, anxiety disorders, Bipolar Disorder, women's issues, ADHD, adjustment disorders, co-dependency, ACOA, self-esteem and social confidence, and grief/loss. Mrs. Hooks uses an integrative approach that borrows from relational, cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic approaches when working with clients. She strongly believes that developing a trusting and respectful relationship with each of her clients is necessary for personal growth.

Recently, Mrs. Hooks works part-time at the University of Texas at Austin providing individual and group counseling services to students currently enrolled in the university. She is delighted to be working at ACTA two days per week to provide counseling and assessment services to the South Austin community. In her free time, Mrs. Hooks enjoys spending time with family and friends, kayaking, running, and yoga.