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What is Twin Cities Family Counseling?

Twin Cities Family Counseling is a private therapy practice in Shoreview, Minnesota, offering individual, couples and family counseling. The practice is led by Tara Palmer, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist credentialed in Minnesota and Vermont, who works with adults and teenagers.

Its stated focus areas include depression, anxiety, shame, trauma and PTSD, relationship distress, and adjustment issues such as divorce, blended families, parenting concerns, and sibling conflict. Sessions are tailored rather than following a single fixed method; the practice draws on approaches such as attachment-based therapy, CBT, family systems, narrative, psychodynamic, polyvagal and trauma-focused work.

The office is described as a small, calm suite with a waiting room and two offices, which suits clients who prefer a low-traffic, private setting. Tara Palmer notes that she keeps her caseload small, so availability may be limited.

One practical point for prospective clients: the practice is out of network only. It submits out-of-network claims on your behalf to most insurers, but you should confirm your plan's out-of-network benefits and expected reimbursement before booking.

If you're deciding whether to reach out, start by checking two things: whether your main concern falls within the specialties above, and whether you're willing to use out-of-network coverage. For comparison, you can also review general directories such as Psychology Today to see other Shoreview-area therapists and their insurance status.

What types of therapy does Twin Cities Family Counseling offer?

Twin Cities Family Counseling offers three core service types: individual counseling, couples counseling, and family counseling. The practice is run by Tara Palmer, LMFT, who works with adults and teenagers.

Individual counseling addresses depression, anxiety, shame, trauma, relationship distress, and adjustment issues, with the stated goal of helping clients lead full lives.

Couples counseling focuses on resentment, communication problems, divorce, and parenting issues, providing a structured setting for discussion, healing, and relationship rebuilding.

Family counseling is aimed at blended-family adjustments, children's behavioral issues, and sibling conflict, with the goal of restoring calm at home.

Tara describes her approach as tailored rather than one-size-fits-all, drawing on attachment-based work, CBT, family systems, narrative, psychodynamic, polyvagal, trauma-focused methods, NLP, and an eclectic mix. She notes that she keeps her caseload small, which may mean more individualized attention but also limited appointment availability.

One practical limitation to weigh: she generally works with adults and teens. Younger children may be seen for a session or two when a family issue calls for it, but are usually referred elsewhere for ongoing work. If you are seeking long-term therapy for a young child, this practice is likely not the right fit.

On cost, Tara is an out-of-network provider only. She submits claims on clients' behalf to most insurance providers, which reduces paperwork but still typically means paying upfront and waiting for reimbursement. If using in-network benefits is a priority, you would need to look elsewhere.

Next step: decide which service matches your situation, then call to confirm current availability and ask what out-of-network reimbursement typically looks like under your specific plan before booking.

Does Twin Cities Family Counseling accept insurance?

Twin Cities Family Counseling does not bill insurance directly. According to the practice's own information, Tara Palmer, LMFT, is an out-of-network provider only. That means you pay for sessions yourself and then seek reimbursement from your insurer, rather than having the office handle billing as an in-network provider would.

What the practice does offer is help with that process: it submits out-of-network claims on your behalf, and states that claims can be submitted to the vast majority of insurance providers. This reduces paperwork on your end, but it does not guarantee reimbursement — that depends on your specific plan.

What to check before your first session

Out-of-network coverage varies widely, so confirm these points with your insurer:

• Whether you have out-of-network mental health benefits at all
• Your deductible for out-of-network care and how much of it you've met
• The reimbursement rate (often a percentage of the allowed amount, not the full fee)
• Whether prior authorization is required
• Whether telehealth sessions are covered if that's your format

A practical example

Suppose your plan reimburses 60% of the allowed amount after a $1,500 out-of-network deductible. If you haven't met the deductible, you'd pay the full session fee until you reach it, then submit claims for partial repayment afterward. If you have met it, you'd typically pay upfront and receive a check or direct deposit weeks later. Either way, your upfront cost is higher than with an in-network therapist — the trade-off is access to this specific clinician and her approach.

When in-network may matter more

If budget predictability is your priority, an in-network provider will usually cost you only a copay or coinsurance with no claims to file. Choosing out-of-network here makes sense if you specifically want Tara Palmer's specialties — marriage therapy, trauma and PTSD, shame, anxiety, and depression — or her small caseload and tailored, integrative style. She works with adults and teenagers, and generally refers younger children elsewhere if more than a session or two is needed.

Next step: call your insurance company and ask specifically about out-of-network outpatient mental health reimbursement, then ask the practice what documentation it provides for claims. For related local options, you could also compare with Psychology Today's therapist directory.

Who is Tara Palmer, LMFT, and what are her credentials?

Tara Palmer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing at Twin Cities Family Counseling in Shoreview, Minnesota. She describes her approach as warm and individualized, keeping her caseload small so she can focus fully on each client.

Credentials

• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Minnesota and Vermont
• Master's Degree in Counseling & Psychology, St. Mary's University of Minnesota
• Post-graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Undergraduate degree from St. Catherine University

Specialties and focus

• Marriage therapy
• Individual counseling
• Shame, depression, trauma and PTSD, anxiety and fear

Who she works with Tara sees adults and teenagers. She sometimes works with younger children for a session or two when a family issue calls for it, but generally refers them elsewhere if more support is needed.

Therapeutic models she draws on Attachment-based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), eclectic, family systems, narrative, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), psychodynamic, polyvagal, and trauma-focused approaches. She tailors the mix to each client rather than applying one fixed method.

Practical note on insurance Tara is an out-of-network provider only. She submits claims on clients' behalf to most insurance providers, which can reduce the paperwork burden if you want to use out-of-network benefits — but you should confirm reimbursement terms with your own insurer before starting.

Next step: If you're considering her for marriage or individual therapy, call to ask about current availability, her out-of-network reimbursement process, and whether your specific concerns fit her specialties.

What is the process for new clients at Twin Cities Family Counseling?

New clients at Twin Cities Family Counseling start by scheduling an appointment, then completing new client paperwork before the first session. The practice lists "New Client Paperwork" as a distinct step on its site, and the office is in Shoreview, MN, across Highway 96 from Kowalski's Market.

What to expect

• Scheduling: You book an appointment directly; the site presents this as the entry point.
• Paperwork: New client forms are part of onboarding, so plan to fill them out before your visit.
• Insurance: Tara Palmer, LMFT, is an out-of-network provider only. She submits claims on your behalf, and out-of-network claims can be filed with most insurance providers.
• First session: You meet Tara in a small, calm office suite with a waiting room and two offices, which keeps the setting low-stress and limits how many other people you encounter.

Who this suits

Tara works with adults and teenagers. For family issues involving younger children, she sometimes sees them for a session or two but generally refers them to other therapists if more help is needed. Specialties include marriage therapy, individual counseling, shame, depression, trauma and PTSD, and anxiety and fear.

A practical next step

Before your first appointment, call your insurance provider to confirm your out-of-network benefits and ask what documentation they need for reimbursement, since you will pay out of network and then have claims submitted for you. If you are seeking help for a young child, ask about referrals during scheduling so you are not caught off guard.

For comparison, you can also review how other local practices handle intake at Twin Cities Family Counseling.

Where is Twin Cities Family Counseling located?

Twin Cities Family Counseling is located in Shoreview, Minnesota, across Highway 96 from Kowalski's Market.

If you are planning a visit, note that the practice is run by Tara Palmer, LMFT, in a small, comfortable office suite with a waiting room and a calm, low-traffic environment. She works with adults and teenagers, and also offers individual, couples, and family counseling.