Meet Tamara

Tamara L. Statz, MA, LMFT, FT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement

Hi! I'm Tamara. I am a Clinician, Supervisor, Educator, Researcher, Writer, and all-around nice person.

CLINICIAN
I get nerdy and passionate about grief and loss. I have a heart for older adults, their families, and caregivers. I have over 16 years of experience working with older adults and their families in various settings, including: in-home, assisted living, care centers, and hospice.

In 2013 I recognized a need for specialty therapy services for older adults and caregivers, and I created Vibrant Living to meet their needs. Older adults have unique concerns that often are missed or misunderstood. I provide counseling to older adults dealing with a variety of issues, including retirement, family conflict, depression, isolation, end of life, terminal illness and more.

I also identified that family or professional caregivers are often overlooked and underserved, while their loved one is seeing doctors, physical therapists, and specialists. Caregiving can be a time of great fulfillment and also a source of unique stress. Talking with me provides caregivers an opportunity to unpack their experience and process the complex feelings that can accompany it.

Vibrant Living was designed to meet the need for older adults and their families to have a dedicated time to talk with a kind, neutral, listening ear. Talking with a therapist is different than talking with family and friends. During your counseling session you get to unload and refresh, all in a space of warmth and non-judgment.

Licenses

Minnesota - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #2931
Wisconsin - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #2026 - 124
Michigan - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #4101007286
Florida - Registered Telehealth Provider #TPMF701 (https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/)

Certifications

Fellow in Thanatology - Death, Dying, and Bereavement - Association for Death Education and Counseling
Respecting Choices First Steps Advance Care Planning Certified Facilitator

Education
Masters - Marriage and Family Therapy
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Bachelors- Psychology, Sociology
Hamline University

Specialties

End-of-Life Issues
Family Conflict
Retirement/Post-Retirement

Advance Care Planning
Grief and Loss
Caregiving
Death and Dying
Isolation / Loneliness

Aging
Chronic and Terminal Illness

Professional Memberships

Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Board Member:
  - Legislative Co-Chair (2019-2020)
  - Pre-Clinical Representative (2015-2019)
American Psychological Association
- Division 20 (Adult Development & Aging)
- Division 43 (Society for Couple and Family Psychology)
Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support (MCDES)
Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)
Minnesota Gerontological Society

SUPERVISOR
I am a board-approved supervisor in MN for individuals on the LMFT or LPC/LPCC tracks. Go here for more info!

EDUCATOR
I am an adjunct professor at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in both the Counseling and Psychological Services and Marriage and Family Therapy master's programs.

RESEARCHER
I have experience with mixed-methods research including clinical interventions. I am passionate about connecting the clinical to the research to the practical application. My experience includes survey design, data collection, intervention implementation, semi-structured interviews, qualitative data analysis, and writing/publishing. More here!

WRITER
I am a published author in clinical research and lived experiences of older adults. I also am working on a book about Lifelong Marriages. More here!

HUMAN
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time my partner (he's also a Therapist, go figure!), spending time with loved ones, reading, cross stitching, seeing live music, snuggling my cat, walking my dog, exploring Minnesota in my tear drop camper, and working on my many house projects.