🌟 The Guiding Light Award
At Mara’s Lighthouse, we believe in celebrating the people who light the way for others. The Guiding Light Award is our monthly recognition of two outstanding providers who exemplify our core values: compassion, dedication, integrity, and excellence in care.
These individuals go above and beyond to support our clients and contribute meaningfully to our mission. Each month, we proudly shine a spotlight on their work and the positive impact they make in our community.
Tamir Shabazz
Tamir brings a thoughtful, compassionate, and culturally responsive approach to therapy, creating a space where clients feel safe to be authentic, explore life's challenges, and pursue meaningful personal growth. As a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville University, he is passionate about helping adolescents and adults build resilience, strengthen relationships, and develop the confidence to create lasting change.
Drawing from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed care, Tamir tailors each treatment plan to meet the unique needs, goals, and lived experiences of every client. His person-centered philosophy emphasizes collaboration, empowerment, and helping clients recognize and build upon their inherent strengths.
Tamir has experience supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, life transitions, and mood disorders. He also has a strong passion for men's mental health and is committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding emotional wellness by fostering open, honest conversations and creating an environment where clients feel understood, respected, and supported. His culturally sensitive approach allows him to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds while helping them develop practical coping strategies and greater self-awareness.
Tamir's work reflects the mission of Mara's Lighthouse—providing compassionate, individualized care that empowers clients to overcome challenges, strengthen emotional well-being, and move forward with hope, purpose, and confidence.
About Bernadette Taggart
Bernadette brings a compassionate, grounded, and empowering approach to therapy, drawing on years of experience helping children, adolescents, adults, and families navigate life's most difficult challenges. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where clients feel valued, understood, and equipped to build meaningful, lasting change.
Using a person-centered, strengths-based approach, Bernadette integrates evidence-based modalities including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and psychoeducation to tailor treatment to each client's unique needs and goals. She believes every individual possesses the capacity for growth and resilience, and she works collaboratively with clients to help them recognize their strengths while developing practical tools to overcome obstacles.
Bernadette has extensive experience supporting children with behavioral and emotional concerns, individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life transitions, as well as veterans and first responders coping with trauma, substance use, and the emotional impact of their service. She also has a strong passion for advocating on behalf of children with educational needs, helping families navigate IEP and 504 accommodations while promoting positive outcomes both inside and outside the classroom.
Bernadette's work reflects the mission of Mara's Lighthouse—providing compassionate, individualized care that empowers clients to heal, build resilience, strengthen relationships, and move forward with greater confidence, hope, and purpose.
We’d love to hear about your experience at Mara’s Lighthouse. If your provider is being honored this month—or if any member of our team has supported you in a meaningful way—we invite you to share a testimonial or leave a review. Your words help us recognize the dedication of our providers and encourage others who may be considering care. You can choose to submit a private testimonial through our form or leave a public Google review using the buttons below.