Hi, I'm Barbara! I'm a warm and compassionate soul, with a knack for problem-solving, and 20+ years in the mental health field. Helping you find real, solid, meaningful and/or tangible solutions to life's problems is my commitment to you. You can start a new journey towards health and wellness today! Through the process of changing perspectives, letting go of old burdens, guarding against unhealthy habits, adopting a new outlook, and re-inventing yourself, you too, can learn to enjoy life again. The simplest things often make the difference. All it takes is a little bit of courage on your part. I'm best suited to help people going through major life crises, personal upheaval, relationship problems, marital problems, separation/divorce, life changes and situations, domestic violence, abuse/trauma and employment issues. Do you need help coping, or figuring out tough problems? Or, are you looking for someone that really listens and offers hope, direction, and support to get through life's challenges? I can help you!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
If you have something pressing to discuss at the first session, go for it! It's all about your comfort level. Some people know what they want to discuss at the first session because they're in crisis. Or maybe you've been holding onto a story for 10 years (it could be a past hurt, a trauma or event that affected you), and you've not discussed it with anyone. One day it resurfaces, and you don't know what to do. You get stuck in old patterns of behavior and feel like there's no way out. My hope is that you feel genuinely safe enough to share it with a compassionate counselor. It's okay! We'll begin the journey of rapport-building, prioritizing, problem solving, and ultimately---healing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
The diagnosis and treatment of specific mental disorders is my specialty. In the course of my career, I've served people from all walks of life, and situations, including those with substance use issues, intellectual disabilities and rare disorders. Perhaps you're wondering if you even have a diagnosis? Maybe you have an issue or problem that is more central to your life. People find themselves at a crossroads from time to time, and they need extra support to get past a crisis or upheaval. Sometimes they're looking to get more mileage out of their relationships, or careers. Perhaps they're beginning or ending a relationship and need help navigating. Or they're looking for the best ways to resolve conflicts with family members or friends. Helping sort things out, locating the resources, and finding real solutions for people, are skills central to my philosophy and practice. Moreover, I will encourage you on a journey to discover your own self-worth and potential. Along the way, we will pull together some creativity to get past life's obstacles. Credentials: I was educated at Loyola University, New Orleans (BA in Psychology), later earning a Masters degree/Professional Counseling, in Virginia. I spent most of my career working in community mental health settings and have the breadth of varied experiences that entails. I'm familiar with the court and judicial system, the state mental hospital system, and worked alongside numerous other entities (DSS, schools, courts, probation, pre-trial, CASA, state health agencies, community services boards, healthcare providers, private acute facilities, and other BH healthcare entities). I'm licensed in the State of Virginia and have worked with folks from all different age groups and walks of life. I've spent much of my career helping others who were in the middle of a major life crisis, and I can help you, too! I've had the privilege of working with people who are going through some of the biggest life challenges such as homelessness, financial hardships, marital problems, separation and divorce, custody/visitation issues, domestic violence, serious mental disorders, substance abuse, and significant trauma. I consider it a privilege because I've heard some of the most inspiring stories of resiliency you can imagine. On a more personal note, I was educated at all religious schools and have found over the years that our spiritual development and growth are just as important as our physical, mental
About Barbara Andrieu, LPC/LMHP
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
People experiencing crises are frequently looking for answers in the moment. In today's fast-paced world, they need to find the answers quickly and efficiently, as it may not be either wise financially or timely to invest in longer-term therapy. Solution-Focused Brief Treatment is a quick and efficient way to get to the core of whatever challenges the individual might be experiencing. It consists of identifying the challenges the client is having and beginning the process of developing solutions. This is achieved by examining the dynamics of the issues involved and looking at short-term and longer-term objectives. Identifying the client's personal strengths, their approach to problem solving, and examining other life experiences that have led them to overcome challenges will be part of the process. Next, the therapist helps the client identify resources needed to find workable, manageable and sustainable solutions. Lastly, the client and therapist consistently collaborate towards identifying and developing satisfying longer-term solutions, for a brighter future!
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been implemented and employed successfully, in a number of different ways, in countless situations to treat various behavioral health issues. CBT examines the link between our emotions, thinking and behavior. The basic way it works: A therapist starts by working with the client to identify stressful situations in their life or triggers (such as situations, people or events that trigger anxiety, depression or other MH issues the client is having). Then, they work with the therapist to start to examine their thoughts and beliefs about those things, and how those things are affecting their feelings and behavior. Once the individual has cultivated an awareness of their thoughts and feelings, the therapist will work with them to identify biases or inaccurate perceptions in their thought patterns that aren’t helpful, and try to reframe those into thoughts that are more in line with their long-term goals.
Interpersonal
Interpersonal psychotherapy is one of the most dynamic and life-changing experiences a person can have. I've studied and used Gestalt and/ or Humanistic approaches. Many people have been helped by just giving rise verbally to their own unspoken feelings and thoughts that may have been repressed or have otherwise gone unacknowledged. Clients need a safe environment in which to express their sentiments, and professionals to listen openly and not judge, and then help offer direction, support, advice and compassion during difficult times. I think Fritz Perls said it best when he stated that it's not so much about what happened to you a long time ago, as much as what is going on in the present. This is somewhat surprising to most people, because it is a departure from traditional psychotherapy or psychoanalytic approaches. Psychoanalysts put the significance on whatever happened in the past. However, it's frequently the case that whatever is going on in the present can have more impact in a person's life, simply because it's about what is going on right now. So, what's been going on in your life lately? And how would you like it to be better or different? Are there any challenges you need to overcome?
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