Tara L. Benincasa, LMHC-D, TCTSY-F, CCTP-II

Tara Benincasa, LMHC-D, TCTSY-F, CCTP-II, is a licensed mental health counselor serving the Capital District of New York, including Albany County, Schenectady County, and surrounding communities. She is the owner and lead clinician of Lotus Integrative Mental Health Counseling, which began as a solo private practice and has since evolved into a small group practice through the hiring and supervision of clinical interns. Tara provides both in-person and telehealth services, offering trauma-informed, individualized care to adolescents and adults.

With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, Tara specializes in trauma treatment, with a particular focus on sexual-abuse-related trauma. EMDR is central to her therapeutic approach, informed by a deep understanding of the neurobiological and relational impacts of trauma. She began her career in 2006, gaining comprehensive experience working with victims of sexual abuse, offenders, non-abusing parents, and juveniles who sexually act out. Over time, her work expanded to include forensic evaluations and expert testimony for local county and district attorney offices throughout New York State. She also serves military veterans through the Headstrong Project, providing EMDR-based trauma care to post-9/11 service members.

Tara earned both her undergraduate degree and a Master’s of Education in Mental Health Counseling from the College of Saint Rose in Albany. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association, the New York Mental Health Counselors Association, and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. Deeply committed to mentorship, Tara emphasizes supervision and professional development for clinicians navigating the licensure process. Her career philosophy centers on staying open to training, opportunity, and growth—believing that mentorship, curiosity, and well-timed leaps of faith can lead to meaningful impact and an expansive professional path.

• The College of Saint Rose - MS ED., Community Mental Health Counseling
• The College of Saint Rose - Bachelors of Arts, Community Mental Health Counseling; Psychology

• Certified EMDR Therapist
• National Certified Counselor
• Certified in CPR, AED, First Aid
• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

• American Counseling Association
• New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA)
• International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)