Bears Counseling PLLC

About Bears Counseling PLLC

Bears Counseling PLLC

Bears Counseling PLLC is a private, telehealth-based practice founded and solely operated by Tarah Groettum, MSEd, LPCC. The practice offers virtual therapy service for convenience and accessibility Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional availability considered on a case-by-case basis depending on individual needs.

Bears Counseling PLLC provides trauma-informed, strengths-based therapeutic services to individuals and families across Minnesota, with a specialized focus on autism spectrum diagnoses, adoption, kinship care, and foster care. Services include psychoeducation, emotional and behavioral support, consultation, and connection to community resources.

Committed to increasing accessibility, Bears Counseling partners with multiple insurance providers and works to close critical service gaps by reducing wait times and offering timely, compassionate, and client-centered care. Every service is tailored to meet the unique needs of those served, with empathy, flexibility, and a deep commitment to meaningful support.

Mission Statement
At Bears Counseling, our mission is to expand access to high-quality, compassionate mental health care across Minnesota by partnering with a wide range of insurance providers—ensuring that more individuals and families can receive the support they need, when they need it.

We are committed to serving those impacted by autism spectrum diagnoses, adoption, kinship care, and foster care through psychoeducation, counseling, resources, and referrals. In a landscape where many face long waitlists and limited interim support, Bears Counseling aims to fill critical service gaps—reducing barriers, shortening wait times, and increasing timely access to meaningful, neurodiversity-informed care.

We strive to empower neurodiverse individuals and members of the adoption and foster care communities by simplifying access to essential services and building strong, supportive connections between individuals, caregivers, and their broader communities.

Specialized Expertise

Specialty Areas

Tarah’s expertise includes the following areas:

As both a professional and an autistic individual—and as a parent of three autistic children—I bring a unique blend of personal and professional experience to my practice. In addition to extensive training in autism, foster and kinship care, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), I offer an informed and empathetic perspective that enhances my ability to genuinely connect with and support those I serve.

My lived experience provides a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by these conditions. This insight allows me to not only relate authentically to my clients, but also to guide them toward the resources and referrals necessary to help them thrive.

Tarah’s clinical background includes:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Family and caregiver support
Adoption and permanency (including kinship and foster care)
Outpatient mental health day treatment for children and adolescents (ages 5–18)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in private school settings
Outpatient individual and family therapy
Group therapy, including parent support, psychoeducation, life skills, healthy relationships, and PEERS® social skills training
Leadership and supervisory roles in group therapy services
Trauma therapy
Couples counseling
Psychoeducation and skill-building through group work

Tarah holds the following credentials and certifications:

Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
Permanency and Adoption Competency Certification (PACC)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP)

Therapy Service's

Bears Counseling PLLC is a private, telehealth-based practice founded and solely operated by Tarah Groettum, MSEd, LPCC. The practice offers virtual therapy services for convenience and accessibility Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional availability considered on a case-by-case basis depending on individual needs.

Bears Counseling PLLC utilizes the Simple Practice EHR platform, a HIPAA-compliant service designed to ensure the confidentiality and security of all client information. SimplePractice is user-friendly and offers:

Encrypted and protected documentation exchange
Self-pay options
Self-scheduling capabilities
Text/email scheduling reminders
Document upload feature for easy access to your files
Convenient instant message exchange for ongoing communication

This platform is designed to make your experience as seamless and accessible as possible, allowing you to focus on your therapy without unnecessary barriers.

Scheduling a Session:

Confirm insurance coverage and co-pay (if applicable) through your insurance provider.
To confirm your coverage, please contact the member services number on the back of your insurance card to verify if Bears Counseling PLLC/Tarah Groettum is in-network and inquire about your co-pay or other costs associated with therapy sessions.
Review and agree to the applicable session fees.
Contact us via phone or email and let us know your preferred days and times for sessions. We will do our absolute best to accommodate your availability and schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

Private Pay Options:
If you prefer to pay out-of-pocket (via cash, check, or card), you do not need to verify insurance coverage. We can simply coordinate the time and day that works best for you.

Hope, healing, support and understanding

Therapy Approach

Approach to Therapy

At Bears Counseling PLLC, our therapy approach is built on a foundation of empathy, compassion, dedication, and authenticity. We strive to create a safe, supportive space where our clients feel heard, understood, and validated as they explore their most vulnerable thoughts and feelings.

We believe in fostering a collaborative relationship with each individual and family.

Together, we work to strengthen, build, and develop the skills and tools necessary to help clients feel successful and empowered in every area of their lives. Our goal is for you to never feel like you’re navigating this journey alone.

Client-Led Sessions

At Bears Counseling PLLC, we view therapy as a partnership, with the client leading the way. You have the freedom to determine what you want and need from each session and how you want to approach goal creation. It’s a team effort, and we are here to provide support and engage additional team members if necessary.

We follow your lead—whether that means diving deep into tough topics right away or taking the time to build trust and rapport first. We are flexible and will meet you exactly where you are, adjusting our approach to best fit your needs in the moment.

A Flexible and Adaptive Approach

At Bears Counseling PLLC, every session is unique because every individual’s journey is different. Some days you may want to dive right into the deep work, while other days may call for a gentler approach. We tailor our style to what you need at the time, ensuring that we address whatever concerns, struggles, or challenges are at the forefront of your mind. This adaptability ensures that therapy remains relevant, effective, and aligned with your needs—no matter where you are in your process.

Together, we’ll navigate this journey, with a focus on your growth, healing, and ultimate success—one step at a time.

Let's take this journey together!

"What makes me different is what makes me powerful"

Temple Grandin-

Lets Connect!

Unlock Your Potential with Bears Counseling PLLC

Services Provided:

Diagnostic Assessment

Diagnosis limitations and process:

Tarah is not currently trained or credentialed to administer medically recognized autism diagnostic assessments. Formal autism diagnoses require the use of standardized tools—such as the ADOS-2, GARS-3, and cognitive (IQ) testing—which she is not licensed or equipped to provide at this time. These specialized tools and assessments are typically part of a comprehensive evaluation, such as a neuropsychological or psychological evaluation, which is conducted by a licensed doctoral-level professional (Ph.D.). These assessments, evaluations, and their corresponding results are often necessary to access specific services and funding opportunities, including those provided through county, state, or federally funded programs. Therefore, it is considered best practice and recommended that individuals have a "confirmed autism diagnosis prior" to initiating services with Tarah, particularly if a formal evaluation has not yet been completed.

Individual Therapy

Family Therapy

Group Therapy (Coming Soon)

Parent Support Group (Coming Soon)

About Tarah Groettum

Tarah Groettum, MSEd, LPCC, CAS, PACC, TFCBT (trained)

Meet Tarah Groettum, MSEd, LPCC
Founder & Owner, Bears Counseling PLLC

My name is Tarah Groettum, and like many, I have a long and deeply personal story—one that has profoundly shaped my professional path and the way I connect with those I serve. I believe that the strongest therapeutic connections are built not only through education and training but also through shared humanity and lived experience. While I may not have walked in your shoes, there may be parts of my journey that feel more familiar to you than you might expect.

As a teenager, I struggled to find a trusted adult who could truly hear and understand me. I lacked guidance, insight, and emotional support, which led me to rely solely on myself. This early experience now informs the empathy and attunement I bring when working with children and adolescents who may feel isolated or misunderstood. I strive to be the kind of supportive adult I once needed—one who listens without judgment and builds trust with patience and authenticity.

In 2000, just three days before my high school graduation, I gave birth to my daughter. Becoming a parent at that time was both a challenge and a turning point—it gave me purpose and ignited a passion for understanding and advocating for children with unique needs. For many years, I navigated the complexities of single parenting while working three part-time jobs and attending college full-time. At the same time, I was seeking answers for my daughter’s emotional and sensory challenges, which were later explained by a diagnosis of PDD-NOS at age nine. Sadly, like many children, she spent years being misunderstood and underserved by the systems and people meant to support her—including myself, before I had the knowledge I now possess.

In 2007, I completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology. Two weeks later, I married my high school sweetheart, and in 2008, we welcomed our son. He remained non-verbal until age four and a half and, like his sister, was later diagnosed with autism. That journey, too, required significant advocacy, persistence, and countless hours of therapy, research, and programming—much of which I implemented myself based on my growing knowledge of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and developmental supports.

These personal experiences led me to pursue my master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin–Superior (2012–2015), where I founded and led several student organizations, including the Veteran and Nontraditional Student Center (VNSC), Got Kids (a parent support group), and Beta Nu Phi (a counseling honors society).

Between 2015 and 2021, many things transpired, but two milestones stand out. In 2019, my husband and I began raising our great-nephew, who came to live with us at just four days old. Starting over in our late 30s with a newborn—while our older children were already teenagers—was both unexpected and incredible. Navigating the complexities of kinship care, foster regulations, court proceedings, and the transfer of permanent legal and physical custody (TPLPC) was challenging, but the experience has been a profound gift.

In 2021, after years of advocating for others and researching autism extensively, I chose to undergo my own autism evaluation. Given my family history, early developmental differences, and longstanding personal experiences that defied easy explanation, I sought clarity for myself. Following a comprehensive assessment process that included input from my mother and husband—who has known me since we were teenagers—I received a formal autism diagnosis. This brought not only validation but a deeper sense of self-understanding. I then pursued a professional specialization in autism, recognizing that my lived experience—alongside my roles as a parent and clinician—positions me to offer truly informed and compassionate care.

Over the years, I have worked across various mental health settings and organizations, gaining training and experience in outpatient therapy, day treatment, ABA settings, trauma-focused interventions, and more. Each role expanded my knowledge and sharpened my skills, but my passion has always remained constant: advocating for and supporting individuals and families affected by autism and related challenges.

Bears Counseling PLLC was born out of this passion. My mission is to ensure that others do not go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, that they do not feel alone or misunderstood, and that they have access to the support, resources, and guidance they deserve. I strive to promote self-compassion, acceptance, and empowerment in every client I serve.

If you’re navigating a journey that feels overwhelming, isolating, or uncertain—please know that you are not alone.

You are capable. You are worthy. And yes, you are amazing, too!

Contact Information

Bears Counseling PLLC

Eagan, Minnesota, United States

Phone: 612-227-0971 Fax: 651-391-2072 Email: tarah.groettum@bearscounseling.com

Hours

Today

Closed

Tarah's Simple Practice Information:

https://meetmonarch.com/therapist/tarah-groettum-msed-lpcc-cas-pacc-eagan-mn

https://tarah-groettum.clientsecure.me/

https://tarah-groettum.clientsecure.me/contact-widget

Empowering Growth through Specialized Expertise and Personal Connection

Welcome!

Bears Counseling PLLC

About Bears Counseling PLLC

What makes me different is what makes me powerful.

Specialized Expertise

Specialty Areas

Therapy Service's

Therapy Approach

Let's take this journey together!

Unlock Your Potential with Bears Counseling PLLC

Services Provided:

Diagnostic Assessment

Individual Therapy

Family Therapy

Group Therapy (Coming Soon)

Parent Support Group (Coming Soon)

Insurances Accepted

"Not All Pieces Fit" because personal experiences and intrinsic qualities, "cannot" be measured or confined by a universal mold.

About Tarah Groettum

Tarah Groettum, MSEd, LPCC, CAS, PACC, TFCBT (trained)

Tarah's Psychology Today Profile

Contact Information

Bears Counseling PLLC

Hours

Drop us a line!

Empowering Growth through Specialized Expertise and Personal Connection

Welcome!

Bears Counseling PLLC

About Bears Counseling PLLC

What makes me different is what makes me powerful.

Specialized Expertise

Specialty Areas

Therapy Service's

Therapy Approach

Let's take this journey together!

Unlock Your Potential with Bears Counseling PLLC

Services Provided:

Diagnostic Assessment

Individual Therapy

Family Therapy

Group Therapy (Coming Soon)

Parent Support Group (Coming Soon)

Insurances Accepted

"Not All Pieces Fit" because personal experiences and intrinsic qualities, "cannot" be measured or confined by a universal mold.

About Tarah Groettum

Tarah Groettum, MSEd, LPCC, CAS, PACC, TFCBT (trained)

Tarah's Psychology Today Profile

Contact Information

Bears Counseling PLLC

Hours

Drop us a line!

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