Dr. Tara Chalakani

Dr. Tara Chalakani is a mental health expert and dynamic leader who has focused her entire career on inspiring, healing, and educating others. She is an award-winning psychotherapist who is passionate about normalizing discussions about mental health and trauma. Dr. Tara’s fire is ignited when she witnesses others flourish, and soar to their highest potential.

As the CEO of Preferred Behavioral Health Group, Dr. Chalakani leads a team of 500 employees providing quality mental health care, substance use treatment, and prevention services to almost 30,000 individuals a year, across New Jersey. In addition, Dr. Chalakani maintains a private psychotherapy practice, Peaceful Minds, serving New Jersey and Florida with a clinical focus of trauma, life transitions, and self-improvement. She is currently an appointed Associate Professor at the Hackensack University School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Dr. Chalakani holds a doctoral degree in psychology with a concentration in behavioral health leadership, a master’s degree in mental health counseling, and undergraduate degrees in nursing and psychology. She holds numerous clinical certifications and is highly respected in her field.

Dr. Chalakani is a frequent guest on national and local media outlets, and co-host of the Welloff Podcast through iHeart Media, which focuses on obtaining the highest levels of personal health, wealth and living a top shelf life. Dr. Chalakani is a regular contributor to Forbes, and the inaugural leader of the Forbes Nonprofit Council Women Executives group.

When not changing the world, Dr. Tara enjoys life at the beautiful Jersey Shore spending quality time with her family, friends, and beloved Dachshunds.