Tara Iacono, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant who works with adolescents and adults to provide comprehensive, evidence-based psychiatric care. Tara helps patients navigate depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, mood disorders, and life transitions with a thoughtful, whole-person approach. She understands that mental health is deeply interconnected with biology, environment, and lived experience, and believes meaningful care addresses both symptoms and root causes.
Inspiration
Tara was motivated to pursue psychiatry by a deep appreciation for the complexity of the human mind and the transformative impact of compassionate, science-based care. Throughout her career, she has been drawn to helping patients not only stabilize symptoms, but also understand the underlying contributors to their mental health challenges. She believes that empowering patients through education and collaborative decision-making leads to sustainable, long-term outcomes.
Education
Tara holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from St. John’s University, where she graduated in 2006. She later earned a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree with a focus on leadership and healthcare management. In addition to her formal education, Tara has pursued advanced training in functional psychiatry, menopause management, and hormone replacement therapy to better serve patients navigating midlife transitions and neuroendocrine changes.
After graduation, Tara began working in diverse clinical settings, gaining experience across multiple areas of medicine before focusing exclusively on psychiatry. She now practices in Arizona, where she provides individualized psychiatric care with an emphasis on evidence-based treatment, thoughtful medication management, and integrative strategies when appropriate.
Professional Experience
Over the last 20 years, Tara has earned the respect of patients and colleagues through her clinical expertise, balanced judgment, and commitment to ethical, patient-centered care. She is known for combining traditional psychiatric treatment with a broader understanding of sleep, lifestyle, hormonal health, and neurobiology.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Tara has been recognized for her commitment to clinical excellence and continuing education. She has contributed to the medical literature, including a peer-reviewed publication: Modernizing regulations for treating opioid use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. DOI: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000805844.19200.b3 Tara has also served in leadership and mentorship roles and actively participates in professional development and education within her field.
Personal Interests
When she is not caring for patients, Tara enjoys spending time with her family, staying active, traveling, and continuing to learn about neuroscience, health optimization, and personal growth.
Her favorite movies include:
- Inception
- Sixth Sense
- Interstellar
And her favorite authors include:
- Brené Brown
- Bessel van der Kolk
- Esther Perel