Amy Barker
I began my journey in the field of Social Work in after graduating with my Master's in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Since 2018, I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities with co-occurring and mood disorders, as well as providing support and
Since 2018, I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities with co-occurring and mood disorders, as well as providing support and education for individuals and families through chronic and comorbid medical issues.
education for individuals and families through chronic and comorbid medical issues. I prefer utilizing a holistic approach because of the strong connection between mind, body, and spirit.
First session
The first session can be the scariest, because I am essentially a stranger! My goal for the first session is to try to make clients feel as comfortable as possible. While therapy is your space to share what is going on with you, I try to let clients know that it is okay to open up at your own pace as you feel comfortable. No pressure, just a support person in your corner to open up as you get ready!
Strengths
I try to provide a welcoming and safe place for my clients to develop a sense of comfort and trust with me as I walk alongside them in their therapy journey. It is my goal to meet my clients where they are at and to support them through this season of life in the best way possible. I want clients to take away a sense of accomplishment every time they finish a session because they put in great work, and to feel seen and heard.
Ideal clients
Everyone is so different with what they need out of therapy, so it is important to find a therapeutic approach that works for you. I utilize a strengths-focused lens with bits of CBT, DBT, and mindfulness. In using these approaches, it helps me to be understanding of where you are at in the current moment but also giving you the space to reframe negative thoughts and utilizing strengths to get you to a more positive place. I want to help you set your realistic therapeutic goals and walk alongside in support as you try to reach those goals.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT can be so helpful with identifying and challenging those negative thoughts we all have. I love to help clients identify these so they can change those negative thoughts and thought patterns to enact the behavior change they want to see in themselves.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness helps us to be present and in the moment. I think that can be especially helpful with therapy so we can work through separating our thoughts from emotions and helps as a buffer for being overwhelmed.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT skills can be so helpful with anxiety! I love to utilize distress tolerance skills whenever I can with clients, especially when experiencing heightened emotions in sessions. Interpersonal effectiveness skills, emotional regulation, and mindfulness are also techniques I pull out of my hat when needed!
Psychoeducation
I like to utilize psychoeducation to help my clients develop deeper understanding of things they struggle with.
Strength-Based
Discovering our strengths and using those to bring us through difficult times help us to reinforce those strengths. I like to bring those strengths to the forefront to help clients recognize we are stronger than we realize sometimes.
Location
Virtual sessions