Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Pronouns: She/Her

​Tamara Boeckman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who began her career in the mental health field in 2018, graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage with her Master of Social Work degree. She provides counseling for children, youth, and families ages 2 and above.

Tamara’s passion for mental health started when she began working with vulnerable families involved with the child welfare system in 2009. She has a wealth of experience working with biological, foster, and adoptive families. The experience of serving vulnerable populations led Tamara to pursuing her master’s degree.

Tamara’s undergraduate training in Psychology helped her develop a deep appreciation for how a trusting counselor–client relationship can support meaningful personal change. Her early work with youth inspired a passion for supporting families who have experienced intergenerational trauma, and she continues to draw on family systems approaches to her work with children and families. She helps clients make sense of how and why change is possible, offering straightforward explanations of psychological principles in a way that feels accessible and empowering.

Play Therapy and Filial Therapy are the primary modalities that Tamara utilizes to support children and their families in healing through improved communication and connection. Other trauma-informed theories she incorporates are Attachment Regulation and Competency (ARC), Sensory-Motor Affect Regulation, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support clients in their process of healing. 

Tamara strives for excellence in therapy, and this has led her to pursue becoming credentialed as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT™), which she is currently in the first phase of completing under the supervision of Betsy Atkins, LCSW, RPT-S(™). She is also in the process of working towards EMDR credentialing with the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).

Tamara believes the relational warmth, closeness, and trust that is possible in a parent-child connection is the primary vehicle for change. She offers a therapeutic environment that nurtures playfulness, congruence, and unconditional positive regard that provides children and their families the opportunity to strengthen their relationships and improve the connection among family members.

 In her free time, Tamara is often exploring how movement, such as partner dancing, can help heal the brain and foster community. She also volunteers with the Alaska Chapter of Safe Families for Children.