Dr. Tara J Belsare, MD

     Both of my parents are from India. I grew up in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, which is a small town about an hour south of Iowa City. My undergraduate degree is a B.A. in Neurobiology from the University of California at Berkeley. My M.D. is from the University of Iowa, Carver School of Medicine. My internship and residency were with Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia, PA. I had worked for the State of NY, Greater Binghamton Health Center and the adult outpatient clinic, CTRC, for over 10 years. Contemplative Medicine was established in May of 2014 to allow a more holistic, relaxed pace of contact with clients. It allows me to practice psychiatry the way I think best. Since I left state employment, I have been working part time for the Addictions Center of Broome County.

     I have had my own difficulties including a mood disorder, a personality disorder, an addiction issue, traumatic experiences, physical, psychological, and spiritual issues. I am human. The work I did on myself was ultimately the deciding factor of my progress in recovery. As such, I seek to share the tools I have found helpful, including meditation and mindfulness techniques with my clients. For example, I wrote about the technique I used to overcome cigarette cravings in the book Kick The Craving: Your Guide To Freedom (available on Amazon). Our individual spiritual journey is of great importance along our paths to emotional well being – as are good nutrition and exercise. Our relationships provide a forum in which we can demonstrate our strengths and challenges. Our conflicts in relationships can inform treatment directions. I will lead you to relevant resources and hold you accountable for working towards your own goals. Some of my guiding principles are:

May you find the benefit in walking part of your journey with us.

     I am a mother, a meditative practitioner, and a regular human being. My special mixture of down-to-earthiness compliments my ability to assess and address problematic thinking patterns and help you to focus on what is most important and make purposeful life choices. I celebrate uniqueness and encourage you to flourish in your own way. Why? Because I chose to celebrate my own special path by finding meditation, mindfulness and healthy perspective shifting. I want to push you to new ways of thinking, find new and efficient ways of understanding the world, and help you set practical and attainable goals so you can transform into whatever it is you want to be.

     I received my BA in Psychology as well as my Master of Social Work at Binghamton University. I am originally from a small town (Montgomery, NY) two hours south of the Southern Tier. I have been working as a clinical therapist for seven years helping adults with trauma, anxiety, depression, and chemical dependency problems. It is my mission to guide you toward your greatest abilities and help you to utilize your full potential.

     Donald Doornbos, LCSW-R is an experienced private practitioner who works closely with our team in a supervisory capacity. Don has lost over 200lbs and kept it off for 10 years.  He has experience in breaking through personal barriers to success.

     He has been in practice with social work for over 30 years.  He is gentle, kind, and encouraging.  He works on a sliding scale and books his own appointments.  He is able to do phone sessions.  To make an appointment, please call 607-765-6597.

     Becky is a graduate of Binghamton University College of Public Affairs. She specializes in adolescent addiction counseling and currently works for ACBC.

     Becky was born into a Scottish family with deep sensitivity and spiritual gifts. She was drawn to the holistic healing arts and indigenous methods of healing over 20 years ago when she first began her search for personal healing and truth. This search inspired her to live in Vedanta-based ashrams, train through the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and with various shamanic healers, participate in a wide range of direct spiritual practices including meditation, mantra recitation,  traditional native american sweat lodges and ceremonies, and commit herself to the tradition of karma yoga, or selfless service. 

     Becky is a Reiki master practitioner and shamanic healer who has been in practice for almost ten years. She is committed to giving back to the community that which has been selflessly given to her through pure acts of love by others. If you are interested in healing work or have any further questions, please contact Becky at 607-220-8252 for a consultation.

In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught. --Baba Dioum 

     Evan was born and raised in Alabama, where he received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama in Psychology, with a minor in Addiction and Recovery. He graduated from Binghamton University with his Master of Social Work and certification in Nonprofit Management.

     Growing up in Alabama was not easy for Evan. He has a deep passion to help and support individuals, groups, and families navigate the difficulties encountered in a world that is not always affirming and friendly. His passion is to empower LGBTQAI people to rise and stand strong in their identities. Evan uses a holistic approach encompassing all aspects of the individual in their treatment.

     Evan has 7 years of experience in group facilitation, education, and training. He is certified as an affirmative cognitive behavioral therapy group facilitator. Evan also has experience working with individuals dealing with substance use disorders, trauma, and anxiety.

     Evan uses meditation and mindfulness techniques in his own journey of recovery.

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.” – Brene Brown

     I recently joined Contemplative Psychiatry to provide counseling services. I received my Master of Social Work Degree from Binghamton University. I also work at Southern Tier Aids Program as the Behavioral Health Coordinator and Educator.

     I approach my work with individuals as a collaborative endeavor in which we work together to create an environment where being authentic and vulnerable in encouraged and honored. i strive to provide compassionate support and utilize therapeutic interventions based on each unique individual.

     Specialized Training:    

EMDR 

LGBTQQ+ Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

     Hello, my name is Cara Munck and I am the Office Manager at Contemplative Medicine. I have a Bachelor’s in Human Services; specializing in biology, psychology, chemical dependency, and counseling. I have in depth knowledge of chronic pain, substance abuse, mental illness, codependency, and grief and loss. 

     I was born and raised in Endwell, NY. I am a loving and caring mother to a cute and clever 3 year old son. I am in a committed relationship to his father, Devin, as well as his other two children. I spend all the time I can at home with my family and our three cats: Charlie, Kitters, and Binx.

What drives me to wake up in the morning is to be able to provide for my son and family, to become the best version of myself that I can be, and the genuine desire to help people. I have been through many struggles and tribulations of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual varieties. If you are experiencing any difficulties or struggles, I am here to help you to find the right kind of help that you need. 

     I am a longtime resident of Broome County. I received my Bachelor's degree from Binghamton University and my Masters in Social Work from Washington University. I am also a graduate of the Broome Leadership Institute. I fell in love with the friendliness and beauty of this area, so after receiving my Masters Degree I returned to Broome County to start my career. My career has been long and quite varied, I have been trained in various therapy modalities, written multi-million dollar grants and have organized major special events including Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. 

     I am married with 2 children.  Both of my children were born with special needs. My daughter has Attention Deficit Disorder and my son was diagnosed at a young age with Aspergers. Both of my children are now successful adults, my daughter is a graphic artist and my son is a commercial pilot.

     I believe parenting is the hardest job we will ever have, and it comes with the least amount of training. All children/adolescents go through stages of development. Each stage comes with its own unique challenges. In early childhood, you may encounter issues with sleep, eating, hitting, biting, what rewards work, and how to use time-out effectively. As children develop the striving for independence and the importance of peer groups becomes more Prominent. I can help you decide what is best for your family and help you with issues involving self-esteem, drug and alcohol use, friends, bullying and social media. Social media really becomes a big part of our children’s lives whether we like it or not. It is important to teach our children how the use of that media should be navigated, and how that medium works.

     My training and experience include membership on the Broome County Child Development Council, owning and operating a parent/child play and education program known as Gymboree, establishing Family Resource Centers in Deposit, Binghamton and Endicott, counseling adolescents at Binghamton and Maine Endwell High Schools, teaching parenting classes at United Health Services and Lourdes Hospital, using the Junior League curriculum to teach leadership skills for students in grades K-6, and graduating from the Broome County Chamber of Commerce Broome Leadership Program.

     I am proud to be part of Contemplative Psychiatry and the clinicians I have the pleasure to work with daily. I enjoy helping when I can and getting to know the many patients I speak with daily.