Tara Matthews

Tara Matthews, PhD, LPC, is a Counselor Educator and Licensed Professional Counselor (Supervisor) with over 20 years of experience in mental health, addiction treatment, and holistic wellness. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, her experience spans private practice, clinical engagement within Intensive Outpatient Programs and hospitals, as well as Community Prevention Support. Her clinical experience has focused on the treatment of co-occurring disorders and the prevention of use disorders, offering both individual and group therapy. Since beginning her clinical journey in 2004, she has devoted her career to counseling individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, integrating evidence-based approaches to support recovery, resilience, and long-term wellness for both clients and clinicians.

In higher education, Dr. Matthews currently serves as Core Faculty at Walden University, mentoring and supervising emerging counselors. Inviting all students and professionals to conceptualize all clients from a holistic framework that considers co-occurring disorders and wellness. She presents, writes, and researches topics ranging from clinical supervision and ethics to self-care strategies for counselors and evidence-based treatment approaches for co-occurring disorders.

Education

PhD, Capella University

MA, Central Michigan University

BS, Old Dominion University

Publications

Matthews, T. (2022). Co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders: Evidenced-based integrative treatment and multicultural applications.

Matthews, T. (2021). Online supervision.

Presentations

Matthews, T. (2018). B.R.E.A.T.H. just keep breathing: Moving forward to graduation. Purdue University Global

Matthews, T. (2019). ETHICS Escape Room: Healthy Self Care is the only way out. Virginia Counseling Association

Matthews, T. (2020). ETHICS of Self Care. NCAD

Matthews, T. (2023). Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Substance Use Disorders. NAADAC

Matthews, T. (2022). Navigating Gender Differences Between Counselor and Client. NAADAC

Matthews, T. (2021). Spoonful of Sugar: Helps the learning go down. Southeastern Teaching of Psychology

Matthews, T. (2023). The Window Opens Before Age 12: ADHD and SUD. NAADAC