If you're ready to take the brave steps to reclaim your power and live a life that is true to you, then you are in the right place. At TAC Therapy, PC, we share the belief that we each possess an inner strength that can help us move past our self-doubts, our anxieties, our grief or trauma and to live authentically and with purpose. We are here to guide and support our clients as they embark on this journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Re-Branding statement
Over the years we have aspired for the name 'Tacoma' to be synonymous with 'quality therapy'. Although our commitment to quality remains unwavering, our new identity aims to spotlight our remarkable team. We employ a transformative approach rooted in the core principles of Talk, Acknowledge, and Challenge. We encourage open discussions about personal struggles, acknowledge emotional pain, and then challenge the limiting beliefs that hinder growth.
At TAC Therapy /t-ah-k/ we believe that if you're not speaking it, you're storing it; and that gets heavy. But you don't have to be at your worst to need support, so read on to get to know our values, our therapists, and our services and then make an appointment today!
At TAC Therapy /t-ah-k/ we believe that if you're not speaking it, you're storing it; and that gets heavy. But you don't have to be at your worst to need support, so read on to get to know our values, our therapists, and our services and then make an appointment today!
About
TALK. ACKNOWLEDGE. CHALLENGE.
Dr. Nicole Tacoma established this practice in 2010 with a goal of creating a safe and comfortable environment that was free of judgement. With intentions to employ only therapists who were smart, compassionate, dedicated, trustworthy, and strength-focused; she gradually put together a team who could meet the specific needs of a range of people and diagnoses, and who focus on quality over quantity treatment.
At TAC Therapy, PC our approach to healing for children, teens, and adults is to use empowering, goal-oriented, talk and play therapy. We utilize a blend of humanistic, existential, cognitive behavioral, (and many more) techniques based on your needs and diagnosis. This approach allows for mutual collaboration and encourages you to take active steps to achieve your own goals, while providing you with the tools and resources you need to do so. Through this approach, we will help you assess your current situation, identify your goals, and develop a plan to reach these goals. We also provide guidance on how to best navigate the challenges you face, as well as provide support and encouragement along the way. Our objective is to help you gain greater self-awareness, develop healthier coping strategies, and to build resilience in order to move forward in life with confidence. We strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for our clients to explore your thoughts and feelings, as well as your hopes and dreams for the future.
Our team is like a family, and we want our office to feel like home. When you walk into our private building you will notice that we do not have a receptionist. Therapy is a very personal and often times difficult experience and you should not have to interact with anyone upon walking in. Take a seat, take a breath, and just relax until your therapist comes to get you. When you are brought back to an office you will notice that they each have a cozy atmosphere that should help you feel like you are in your own living room- not a stuffy medical office. We pride ourselves on these personal touches and hope you notice the loving care that is put in to every aspect of your treatment.
We hope this website provides you with the information that leads you one step closer to improving your confidence, your relationships and yourself.
Please contact TAC Therapy for more information or to set up your initial visit.
At TAC Therapy, PC our approach to healing for children, teens, and adults is to use empowering, goal-oriented, talk and play therapy. We utilize a blend of humanistic, existential, cognitive behavioral, (and many more) techniques based on your needs and diagnosis. This approach allows for mutual collaboration and encourages you to take active steps to achieve your own goals, while providing you with the tools and resources you need to do so. Through this approach, we will help you assess your current situation, identify your goals, and develop a plan to reach these goals. We also provide guidance on how to best navigate the challenges you face, as well as provide support and encouragement along the way. Our objective is to help you gain greater self-awareness, develop healthier coping strategies, and to build resilience in order to move forward in life with confidence. We strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for our clients to explore your thoughts and feelings, as well as your hopes and dreams for the future.
Our team is like a family, and we want our office to feel like home. When you walk into our private building you will notice that we do not have a receptionist. Therapy is a very personal and often times difficult experience and you should not have to interact with anyone upon walking in. Take a seat, take a breath, and just relax until your therapist comes to get you. When you are brought back to an office you will notice that they each have a cozy atmosphere that should help you feel like you are in your own living room- not a stuffy medical office. We pride ourselves on these personal touches and hope you notice the loving care that is put in to every aspect of your treatment.
We hope this website provides you with the information that leads you one step closer to improving your confidence, your relationships and yourself.
Please contact TAC Therapy for more information or to set up your initial visit.
Services
Psychotherapy
Treatment specializations for therapist in our practice include (but are not limited to): Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Grief Counseling Stress Management Life Transitions Play Therapy Sports Psychology
Learn MoreTeletherapy
As an added service to benefit our clients, we are now offering a telehealth option! This HIPAA compliant, audio/visual session can help when you are having transportation issues, when you don't want to contaminate the office with your cold, or for many other reasons that may be keeping you from making it to your appointment in the office!
Learn MorePre-Operative Psychological Evaluations
After patients make the decision to undergo weight-loss surgery, there are typically a few steps that need to be taken; one of which being a pre-operative weight loss psychological evaluation. Dr. Tacoma conducts the required evaluations to assess for surgical readiness and to help identify possible barriers to your surgical success.
Learn MoreESA Evaluations
An emotional support animal is an identified pet that provides needed comfort to an individual which causes symptoms related to their mental illness to lessen or dissipate. Dr. Nicole Tacoma conducts evaluations for the prescription of an emotional support animal for clients who are not currently under her general care. Please click for more info.
Learn MoreAnimal assisted therapy
History of Animal Assisted Therapy
The first account of intentional use of an animal assisted intervention was in the 1700s. Later in the 1800s, research of handwritten notes from Sigmund Freud (who was an anxious, shy man) informed us that he began bringing his dog Jofi to his therapy sessions to help calm and relax him. When Freud was calmer and more relaxed, he became a more confident and effective clinician, and did better work with his patients. Freud was not the only one impacted by Jofi though. He quickly discovered that his patients too, were more relaxed, open, and engaged when Jofi was there. They were more likely to self-disclose in the presence of Jofi and made better and sometimes quicker progress. This began the work of animal assisted therapy in a multitude of setting.
How does it work?
Studies have shown many great benefits of animals in the field of mental health. In therapy sessions, our dogs can help reduce stress/anxiety-related symptoms, reduce depression-related symptoms (increased oxytocin levels and decreased cortisol levels have been found when petting or in proximity to dogs), support holistic wellness, support resilience factors, aid in social interaction work, provide comfort, provide a distraction/disruption from negative experiences when doing trauma work, can help create feelings of joy, reduce heartrate/blood pressure, provide grounding, and provide unconditional positive regard. (Just to name a few!). Further, research indicates that our brains mirror the actions, emotions, intentions, and the mindset of others near them (including animals). So, by being with animals who are very mindful (focused on the present) our brains will mirror this behavior/emotional mindset.
Is Animal Assisted Therapy appropriate for me?
Animal assisted therapy is appropriate for many people! You may be someone who already knows that animals help you feel more relaxed, happier, and/or more secure in differing environments and therefore you can make it known that you would be open to having one of our "co-therapists" as part of your treatment plan (Dr. Tacoma will let you know ahead of time when a dog will be in the office so you can decide if you'd like him in your session or not). In other cases, Dr. Tacoma may notice through her work with you that one of her therapy dogs may be helpful in aiding you in relaxation, emotional regulation, behavioral rehearsal, etc. and will suggest trying a visit.
Are your dogs trained for Animal Assisted Therapy?
While there is no specific "training" needed for therapy dogs, both Dr. Tacoma and her dogs have been through a variety of work together. Both dogs have gone through a range of obedience training alongside Dr. Tacoma. Both dogs have been evaluated and certified for therapy work through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Dr. Tacoma has taken a number of courses in Emotional Support Animal Evaluations, as well as a comprehensive course in Animal Assisted Therapy.
Meet the Team
Bane is an AKC registered boxer (his unusual coloring is called a sealed brindle). He was born in 2019 and since then has earned his star puppy achievement, his novice tricks dog certificate and his canine good citizen award. He passed his therapy dog certification through the alliance of therapy dogs in 2022. Bane had his first experience in therapy in February of 2020- he was 4 months old and at that time he thought his patient should just stop being worried and start playing with him! At 2.5 years old, he's now better at meeting his patients where they're at: sometimes they need a little cheering up, but other times they just need him to be there while they cry. Bane is a good cuddler and likes to curl up on the couch with you (or on you!) Because he's a little bad with personal space, he's a great tool to help patients learn how to set boundaries and to advocate for themselves. Don't be afraid to say, "Bane, (or Dr. Nicole!) I'm ready for a little space from him now!"
Crash is an AKC Rottweiler. He was born in 2020 and we adopted him from a family who could no longer care for him. We cherish their bravery and sacrifice in recognizing that someone else could provide for him better. Crash has taken multiple obedience classes and passed his therapy dog certification with The Alliance of Therapy Dogs in 2022. His first experience with therapy was in January of 2022 at a little over a year old and he was great at giving hugs (and ear kisses) to an upset patient. Crash is a perfect canine therapist for when you need something big to hug, for fearful or traumatized patients who want to feel safe, and for kids who are working on reading or talking to others. Because he can be a little stubborn with commands, he's also great for adults to work on their "assertive voices"!
References:
Berget, B., Ekeberg, Ø., & Braastad, B. O. (2008). Animal-Assisted Therapy with Farm
Animals for Persons with Psychiatric Disorders: Effects on Self-Efficacy, Coping
Ability and Quality of Life. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health: CP &
EMH, 4, 9
Cherniack, E. P., & Cherniack, A. R. (2014). The Benefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted
Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics
Research, 1-9
Barak Y., Savorai O., Mavashev S., & Beni, A. (2001). Animal-Assisted Therapy for
Elderly Schizophrenic Patients: a One-Year Controlled Trial. American Journal of
Psychiatry, 9: 4,439-42
Ko, Hae-Jin, Youn, Chang-Ho, Kim, Seong-Hyun, & Kim So-Yun. (2016). Effect of Pet
Insects on the Psychological Health of Community-Dwelling Elderly People: A SingleBlinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial, Gerontology 62, 2: 200-209
Rick Yount, R., Ritchie, E.C., St. Laurent, M., Chumley, P., Daley Olmert, M. (2013). The
Role of Service Dog Training in the Treatment of Combat-Related PTSD. Psychiatric
Annals, 43: 6, 292-295
Barker, S. B., & Dawson, K. S. (1998). The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on
Anxiety Ratings of Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients. Psychiatric Services, 49: 6, 797-
801
Team
Nicole Tacoma, PsyD, LP
Licensed Psychologist, Owner
Laura Roell, MA, LLP
Limited License Psychologist
Megan Morris, MA, LLP
Limited License Psychologist
Manda Harp, MA TLLP
Psychotherapist
Madisyn Bobby, MA LLP, CTP
Limited License Psychologist
Christina Carbone, LPC-C, TLLP
Psychotherapist
Rates and Insurance
Rates
Rates are based on several factors including service type, length, in-network vs out of network, etc. All of our therapists offer sliding fee scale rates which are reduced rates based on financial need for uninsured, underinsured, or those who have insurance that we are not in network with. Sliding fee scale prices typically range from $100-$150 per session and will be established before the first session. (This is for psychotherapy only, not for pre-surgical evaluations-Talk to your therapist for more information)
If you are using insurance benefits for your sessions, please see the attached link for information on potential costs associated with insurance.
Insurance
TAC Therapy, PC is in network with MOST Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Plans. It is your responsibility to call and verify your benefits prior to the first session. Your services will be billed under NICOLE TACOMA PSYD PC no matter which therapist you will be seeing.
Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by calling the number on the back of your card and asking the following questions:
- Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
- What is my deductible and has it been met?
- How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
Payment
Cash, check and all major credit cards (including HSA cards) accepted for payment. A valid credit card is required to be on file even if this is not going to be your payment method of choice. Payments are typically made at the time of your appointment but can also be made over the phone or via our website with approval from you therapist.
Cancellation Policy
If you do not come in for your scheduled therapy appointment, and you have not notified us at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session.
Contact
Questions? Ready to set up an appointment? Please contact me for more information
Contact
- 17282 Farmington Rd, Livonia, Michigan, United States
- +1-(248)920-8619
- tactherapypc@gmail.com
- Each therapist sets her own hours but we are typically open Monday through Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-2pm
Make a Payment
Pay Now
We now offer the option to pay online via your client portal. To see your balance (you can pay all or some of your balance) please log into your portal at therapyportal.com/p/tacoma
FAQ
Why do people see a therapist? Is therapy for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Often, people start seeing a therapist during a time of crisis; after the loss of a loved one, a break up, the loss of a job, or when you might be thinking about harming yourself in some way.
Others come during non-crisis times for ongoing issues of focusing difficulties, problems with procrastination, relationship issues, anxiety, or non-life-threatening depression.
Others yet, will come to therapy just to gain better insight and awareness about themselves; to get in touch with deeper issues, to have someone to explore life choices with. There is no "wrong person" for therapy and whether you are looking for a one time appointment, therapy for a few months while you get back to your old self, or long-term therapy that may continue for years; we have a place for you!
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, treatment will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect your intake session to be a time for your therapist to get to know you; questions will be asked to help understand your biological, psychological, and sociological makeup. Tacoma and Associates pride ourselves on making this process as stress-free and as comfortable as possible. You disclose as much or as little as you are ready to. During this session you will also be filling out the initial paperwork and may be asked to fill out a questionnaire pertaining to your mood or symptoms. Subsequent session will typically be weekly; between 45 and 60 minutes (dependent on your needs) where you and your therapist will discuss the current events happening in your life, explore your personal history relevant to your issues, and gain a deeper insight and awareness about your patterns of behavior and relating. Therapy does not have a time-limit, and you should not feel pressured to "fix your problems" by a certain deadline. Every person is different .
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, it is not unusual for your therapist to suggest things to work on, reflect on, or try in between session. People seeking psychotherapy should be ready to make positive changes in their lives, and be open to new perspectives and techniques.How does child therapy differ from adult therapy?
Like therapy with adults,
therapy with children is a process; it's not a quick fix. The therapists
at Tacoma and Associates, PC often use a form of child psychology called Play
Therapy. For children, toys are their words and play is their language.
Imagine if you were feeling really angry, but you couldn't use the word
"anger" to describe how you are feeling. This is often the
position children are in and Play Therapy allows the child to express and work
through these emotions even if they can't find the words to express how they
feel yet.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
Many perspective clients share with me their concern about medication. It has been well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. At the same time, there are people and situations where therapy alone is not enough. I always explain to clients that I like to work with you or you child first, to see what exactly is going on and if therapy alone will be enough. Medication may treat the symptoms, but it will not treat or change the underlying cause of the distress or the behavioral patterns in your life that are affecting you negatively. Together, you and I will work with your primary care doctor or your psychiatrist to educate you on your options and to ensure we are taking the right course of action in your mental health.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
Dr. Tacoma does take most Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans, however to determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
· What are my mental health benefits?
· Is Dr. Nicole Tacoma IN my network?
· How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
· Do I have an unmet deductible?
· Do I have a copay?
Also noteworthy: If you are seeing an associate of the practice, the billing for your services will still be under Dr. Tacoma's name so please ask the above questions no matter which therapist you may be seeing.
What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Confidentiality (and the limits of confidentiality) will be discussed during your first session. You will be asked to sign a consent form and a standard HIPAA form that will both discuss confidentiality.
As psychologists/psychotherapist, we are mandated reporters and we are required to report suspected abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person, this will also need to be reported.
At Tacoma and Associates we take your life and the lives of others very seriously, and we will always try to be upfront with you when there is something that needs to be reported.
What do I do in a Crisis?
If you feel like you or someone you know is in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
If you are not in immediate danger but feel like you need to talk to someone and your therapist is not available, you can text NAMI to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free 24/7 crisis support via text message.
If you or someone you know is in a crisis-whether they are considering suicide or not-please call the toll-free Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7. Your call will be confidential and free.
*Please talk to your therapist about how you are feeling. Together you will come up with a plan of support if you are ever in need*
If you are not in immediate danger but feel like you need to talk to someone and your therapist is not available, you can text NAMI to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free 24/7 crisis support via text message.
If you or someone you know is in a crisis-whether they are considering suicide or not-please call the toll-free Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7. Your call will be confidential and free.
*Please talk to your therapist about how you are feeling. Together you will come up with a plan of support if you are ever in need*
Can I schedule an ESA evaluation if I live out of state?
You must be in the state of Michigan to schedule/receive the evaluation
Will I be under the care of a therapist?
Yes, but only during the assessment. Many people find these assessment sessions beneficial and wish to continue with individual therapy beyond the ESA evaluation. We are happy to discuss setting up an appointment for you with your evaluator or with another therapist in the practice if you'd like to continue on your mental wellness journey.
Should I bring my animal to my in-person evaluation?
No. We ask that you do not bring your animal to the clinical interview. We do not assess the animal and do not take any responsibility for the behaviors or health of your animal. Instead, we evaluate the individual for the need for an ESA. If you bring your animal, we will need to reschedule your appointment.
Does insurance cover the cost of my ESA evaluation?
Tacoma and Associates, P.C. is in-network with many BCBS PPO plans. In most cases your sessions will be covered by your mental health plan and will be billed as a standard intake and therapy sessions. If your insurance does not cover your sessions, you will be responsible for payment in full. Insurance does not cover the cost of the letter which will be billed at $50.
If you do not have insurance, or you are out of network, fees for the process are the same as standard therapy appointment rates and If indicated, a report/letter fee will also be charged for the ESA letter.
If you do not have insurance, or you are out of network, fees for the process are the same as standard therapy appointment rates and If indicated, a report/letter fee will also be charged for the ESA letter.
Forms
Please go to TAC Therapy, P.C. Portal to fill out all of your intake paperwork prior to your appointment. If you have not received a welcome email with your login information to create your portal within 24 hours of setting up your first appointment, please contact the office.
TherapyNotes Client Portal INSTRUCTIONS
The steps outlined below should guide you through a this process. Please call, text, or email your therapist should you have any questions. We are happy to help!
- Check your email inbox for an email from noreply@therapyportal.com with the subject Client Portal Login
- Click on the link provided in the email Enter your birthdate, name, and set your password. (You may use the portal again in the future, so save your password! If you ever need help resetting it, just contact your therapist)
- You are now in the client portal! You should be able to see your intake documents now. There are two types of documents in the portal: requested and always available. If something is listed in both (like payment auth or insurance form) you do not need to fill it out twice.
- You will also notice a tab that shows current balance (this amount may not be correct if your insurance claim has not been returned yet for example) so check with your therapist before paying. You will also have access to receipts for recent payments made.
- From your portal you will also be able to sign into your telehealth sessions if that is the platform your therapist is using.
- Any telehealth sessions that are ready for you to join will appear at the top of your home page. You have the option to join a session for any recent or upcoming appointments scheduled with your practice.
- Click the Join Session button for your appointment. Your browser may prompt you to share access to your camera and microphone. Click Allow.
- On the telehealth welcome dialog, enter your name and select the Camera and Microphone you want to use for your session. You should see a preview of your video and an audio meter that responds to your voice.
- When you're ready to join your session, click the Join Session button.
- Once you indicate that you're ready for your session, the clinician will get a notification and can accept you out of the waiting room when they’re ready. Please remain on this screen until your provider joins the session.
Blog
Sept 25, 2018 Our featured therapist this week is Laura Roell, Limited License Psychologist
Read More
