Atlanta Somatic Healing

We are a community of somatically informed therapists who specialize in creating safe pathways to healing. Therapy doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be effective. We can assist you in restoring your mind/body connection, explore and provide tools to enhance comfort, and work together to promote balance between challenges and inherent resources. Coming “home” to our natural states of ease is possible, and it is a foundation for healing.

The Practioners

Beginning the journey of therapy often happens long before the first session. We are here to honor your process, exactly where you are, while emphasizing authentic connection, practical tools of support, and promoting repair and love to ALL parts of you. Often the most tender relationship to repair is the connection we’ve lost within ourselves. We are here to explore your inner wisdom, inherent goodness, and clarity that can be lost in overwhelming times. We are familiar with the journey of repairing trust as we walk it too.

  • Tara was born and raised in Georgia and obtained her undergraduate degree from Western Carolina University in 2005. After working for a few years in the social work field, Tara began her studies for Professional Counseling at Georgia State University and obtained her Masters of Science degree in 2009.

    Tara began her therapy career working in community mental health, and in 2012, she joined a group practice where she began her specialization in Mindfulness Based therapy practices. In 2020, Tara opened her own private practice at the Neighborhood Counseling Center in Kirkwood where she started her Somatic Experiencing certification program emphasizing the mind/body connection in her work with individuals.

    Tara co-founded Atlanta Somatic Healing alongside her colleague and friend, Jared Smiley in 2024 where she offers individual psychotherapy to adults specializing in challenges related to anxiety/overwhelm, developmental and specific trauma(s), relational and interpersonal challenges, and feelings of shame, inadequacy, and self criticism.  

    Personal hobbies and interests for Tara include spending time in nature with her two children and husband, experiencing live music, nurturing sacred relationships, and watching birds from her back porch as the sun rises.

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  • Born and raised in Atlanta, Jared studied psychology and philosophy at the University of Georgia before earning a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University in 2009. While studying there he presided over a student organization for counselor development and working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people in therapy; researched aggression and hostility in the Psychology Department’s behavioral science lab; collaborated with doctoral students on dissertation projects; trained with Safe Zone and served on the Safe Zone Interdepartmental committee; worked in a graduate research assistantship for an organization serving under-served grandparents raising their grandchildren in metro Atlanta.


    After four years of practice in community-based agencies working with adults living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illness, marginalized children and families, and individuals and groups recovering from addiction, Jared joined a small private group practice. In 2016, he started his own practice and moved to the offices of the Cathedral Counseling Center at the Lanier House in affiliation with the Cathedral of St. Philip. In 2024, he and dear friend and colleague, Tara Lozano, joined hearts in their career-long dream to co-found the Atlanta Somatic Healing Psychotherapy Center. Jared believes in inherent worth and is committed to guiding anyone to back their own source of truth, strength, safety, and ease. Interpersonal process and feedback, therapeutic dialogue, intuitive offering and reflection, embodiment exercise and somatic practice, and planning and resourcing are all ways clients and Jared may engage.


    At Atlanta Somatic Healing, Jared provides individual therapy for adults with an emphasis on healing with the mind/body connection and through promoting strong, secure inner relations. Specific areas include: relationship dynamics, stress, anxiety and overwhelm, developmental and specific trauma, identity development and transition, personality growth, neurodiversity, queer identity/LGBTQ+ development, worthlessness and shame, and grief. He values assisting clients in treating dis-ease and restoring their sense of purpose and meaning in being alive together.

    Outside of work, Jared can be found connecting with loved ones, being out in the world, or having some solitude. He enjoys reading, representational drawing, running, playing piano, sewing and other sundry crafting, exploring nature, and gardening. His husband and dog are constant companions.

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Indoor staircase with beige carpet, wooden handrail, and a landing leading up to our suite (number 350) at the top to the right.
White door with frosted glass panes and the number 350 above it.
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A cozy reception area with green walls, a window, a white curved sofa, four blue chairs, a floor lamp, colorful abstract paintings, a bookshelf with magazines, and a decorative rug.
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Session and Relationship Guidelines:

  • We promote working relationships rooted in equality and consent. We will often ask for your permission and refer to your own felt sense of “yes” and “no” in sessions. Somatic therapy includes restoring access to your inner “yes,” no,” or “pause.”

  • We welcome movement in our sessions. You will be encouraged to enhance ease and comfort in our physical space. This can include and is not limited to sitting, moving, fidgeting, laying or sitting on the floor, and eye contact is optional.

  • We value Clients’ autonomy and respect their right to decide to end our sessions at any time.

  • We insist on respecting bodily autonomy. “Stop” always means stop and “no” always means no.

  • We are committed to cultivating a collaborative, honest environment wherein each client is welcomed exactly as they are.