Play It Forward Counseling
Play It Forward Counseling
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    • Elizabeth Campbell, LCSW
    • Ashley Roberts, MSW
    • Christy Dale, MSW
    • Tara T-Strickler, MSW
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    • Play Therapy Session
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    • Home
    • Therapists
      • Elizabeth Campbell, LCSW
      • Ashley Roberts, MSW
      • Christy Dale, MSW
      • Tara T-Strickler, MSW
    • Fees
    • FAQ
    • Services
      • Intake Session
      • Play Therapy Session
      • LGBTQ+ Therapy
      • Video Game Therapy
      • Sand Tray Therapy
      • Parent Counseling
      • Adult Counseling
    • Blog
    • Careers
    • What is Play Therapy?
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  • Home
  • Therapists
    • Elizabeth Campbell, LCSW
    • Ashley Roberts, MSW
    • Christy Dale, MSW
    • Tara T-Strickler, MSW
  • Fees
  • FAQ
  • Services
    • Intake Session
    • Play Therapy Session
    • LGBTQ+ Therapy
    • Video Game Therapy
    • Sand Tray Therapy
    • Parent Counseling
    • Adult Counseling
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • What is Play Therapy?

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Licensed Social Worker and School Support

Tara Thompson-Strickler, LSW, PEL



Tara is passionate about creating a supportive, authentic, and empowering therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, understood, and never alone in navigating life’s challenges. Inspired by personal experiences of being supported through difficult moments, Tara believes healing happens through connection, self-compassion, and meaningful support.


She earned her Master’s in School Social Work from Aurora University in 2025 and is currently working toward her LCSW. With over six years of experience supporting diverse populations, Tara has worked in alternative school settings, and K–12 education, partnering with students, families, and school staff to strengthen emotional well-being and home-school connection.


Tara utilizes cognitive-behavioral techniques, collaborative goal-setting, and practical coping strategies to support individuals navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, chronic stress, and life transitions. She also incorporates mind-body awareness and elements of nature into her work, helping clients build resilience, emotional regulation, and balance.

Services offered

Individual Counseling

Our individual counseling services are designed to help you overcome personal challenges and achieve your goals. Our licensed counselors provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, gain insights into your behavior, and develop strategies for positive change.

Parent Consultation

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs, which makes it hard to always feel confident in what you are doing and feeling. We are here to help you navigate parenting struggles by providing parent training, as well as a tailored parenting workshop. There is no rule book for parenting, but there are ways to feel more understood and supported. Together, we will help you learn how to communicate with, discipline, and support your child or teen.

Play Therapy

Play Therapy

At Play It  Forward Counseling, we help children express their feelings in ways that feel natural and comfortable for them. Play is children's natural language and a great tool for children to share their emotions as they process their experiences. Our play therapists are dedicated to helping children feel safe and secure while developing healthy coping skills.

Play therapy can include music, art therapy, sand tray therapy, and other activities. We make it fun and inviting for children to explore their emotions and feel better. We use play therapy to help children build better relationships, find solutions, and create a more balanced life. 

If your child has gone through a traumatic experience, struggling in school, or appears to need extra support —play therapy can help them work through their difficult feelings and experiences.  We understand how children think, feel, and process emotions differently than adults. Play therapy is an effective way for children to heal from trauma, build self-esteem, and develop better communication skills

Drop us a line!

 

Play It Forward Counseling of Illinois

618 North Main Street, Princeton, Illinois 61356, United States

Tara@playitforwardcounseling.com Phone: 1-815-719-6694 Fax: 815-365-3477

Tara’s Hours

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