Tara Kerrigan

I have worked in the social services realm my entire career, beginning in 2004. Although not on my resume due to the time period elapsed; while obtaining my Bachelor of Art in psychology I worked specifically with hospice patients as an aid in a “guest home” in California. During that time, I was the direct provider for many patients and their families as they transitioned from life on this plane. My heart has always been to bring comfort and peace during difficult times. I have a plethora of experience meeting people in the darkest parts of their life and assisting them in reaching goals. This is evidenced by my time with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul where I built a program from the ground up to assist women in poverty.

I began my walk into exploring vocational ministry a few years ago and will be graduating with a Master of Art in pastoral care in November of this year. I have almost twenty years of experience working directly with people and meeting the reporting requirements of each program I have worked in. This has included care assessments for those in foster care, and goal assessments for those looking to upgrade their vocations. Most of my work has been in interdisciplinary teams. Further, I have been a volunteer in traditional ministry since 2020.  

While my work background may feel disjointed, the unifying piece is that I am an evidence-based contributor who combines the detailed pieces of paperwork and reporting requirements with the heart of someone who genuinely cares about others. My education in Psychology combined with experience in social services makes me more than qualified to reach people in an interfaith setting. Some of the further training I have had specifically hits on the following:

·         Systems of care in family therapy

·         Crisis counseling

·         Cross-cultural humility

Social services work including program administration, training, compliance, case work, and program management. 

MA- Ministry, Pastoral Counseling Indiana Wesleyan University