Tanya Hauer, ACSW

Why I became a therapist

What led me to become a therapist comes from my own lived experience. I have walked through trauma and know what it feels like to carry pain that does not have words yet. Therapy changed my life in a real and lasting way. It gave me a way back to myself and showed me that healing is possible. That experience shaped the way I show up for others.

I hold a deep respect for how much people carry and how hard it can be to reach out. I believe people can feel better — not overnight and not without effort, but through meaningful therapeutic work that allows things to be felt, processed, and integrated. This work matters to me because I have seen what is possible from the inside out.

Why I love this work

What I love most about the work I do is the connection. A real heart-to-heart connection — the kind where someone feels seen, understood, and not alone in what they are carrying. Those moments of genuine presence and trust are where the work comes alive. That is what makes it meaningful for me.

Who I’m most drawn to supporting

I feel most drawn to working with people navigating trauma, and with families who are struggling to support their children through behavioral challenges. I have a strong pull toward working with families of kids with high-functioning autism who often fall through the cracks because they may not meet criteria for more intensive services, yet still need meaningful support.

I also work with and have experience supporting adolescents, teens, adults, and seniors, and I value the different ways challenges show up across the lifespan. I am especially drawn to individuals working through religious trauma, addiction, or the impact addiction has had on their lives. Across all of this, I find myself connected to people who feel misunderstood, overlooked, or like their experience has not been fully seen.

My therapy style (and how I balance warmth & accountability)

My style is grounded, attuned, and relational. I focus on creating a space where you feel safe enough to slow down and be real. From there, the work becomes more than just talking. We pay attention to what is happening in your body, your nervous system, and your emotional experience in the moment. I work collaboratively and at a pace that feels manageable. There is no pressure to perform or have the right words.

I integrate approaches like EMDR, somatic work, and nature-based practices to help you move through what feels stuck — not just understand it. At the core, my style is about connection, presence, and helping you come back to yourself in a way that feels steady and sustainable.

I balance warmth and accountability by staying grounded in the relationship while also being honest about what I see. The warmth creates safety and trust. From there, I can be direct in a way that feels supportive rather than critical. I am not here to push or judge, but I will gently name patterns, reflect what might be getting in the way, and invite you to look at things more closely. The goal is not pressure — it is awareness and movement. You are supported, and you are also encouraged to show up for yourself in a real way.

Approaches & modalities I use

My work is integrative and responsive to what each person needs. Everything I do is through a client-centered and strength-based lens, meaning I am attuned to you, your pace, and what is already working within you.

EMDR • CBT • EFT • Mindfulness • Somatic Approaches

Depending on what feels most helpful, I may also incorporate sound healing, aromatherapy, nature-based work, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. I see therapy as more than just talking. It is about helping you process what feels stuck, regulate your system, and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels sustainable.

How we’ll begin

I begin by creating a sense of safety in the space and helping the nervous system settle. We take a moment to slow things down and arrive. From there, I tune in and listen closely. I am paying attention not just to what is said, but to what is happening underneath it. I start where you are, at your pace, and let the work unfold from there.

What therapy with me feels like

Clients might describe me as warm and nurturing, with a genuine level of care that feels real and consistent. At the same time, I am honest and direct in a way that is thoughtful and respectful. I value clear communication and believe it helps create trust and meaningful progress in the work we do together.

My vibe in session is calm, grounded, and real. I am present, attuned, and curious. It is not rushed or overly clinical. It feels conversational but intentional, with space to be human, pause, and feel what is actually there without pressure to perform or have it all figured out. At the same time, I am engaged and gently guiding when needed. I am not passive. I will be honest, direct, and supportive in a way that helps move things forward while still respecting your pace.

More than anything, I hope clients feel a steady, honest presence that feels different from what they might expect — like they can exhale a little and not have to hold it all together. From that place, I hope they feel a quiet pull to go inward, get curious about what is happening inside them, and trust that there is something there worth exploring.

What helps people heal

I believe healing and growth come from a combination of willingness and the right therapeutic relationship. It starts with a readiness — even a small one — to turn inward and engage with what is there. And just as important is working with a clinician where you feel safe, understood, and genuinely supported.

When those two pieces come together, people are able to go deeper, process what has been held for a long time, and begin to experience real change.

What I hope you take with you

I hope clients leave with a stronger connection to themselves — a sense that they understand what is happening inside them rather than feeling at the mercy of it. I want them to feel more regulated, grounded, and more able to move through their lives with clarity and intention.

I also hope they carry a sense of being seen and understood, and that it changes how they relate to themselves — that they trust themselves more, respond instead of react, and feel capable of continuing the work beyond our sessions.