Hi….my name is Barbara. From the age of 20, I knew my life calling was to help others in need. I was fortunate to have several mentors who provided me with support and guidance which ultimately lead me to establish my own private practice at the age of 30. Over the years, I have explored many approaches available in psychotherapy, and, as I have changed and evolved, so has my style as a therapist. While I continue to drawl from a multitude of modalities, at the end of the day, I define myself as a Client Centered therapist. That being said, for me, the most important aspect of therapy is the relationship that exists between the client and therapist. Without that essential connection between these to individuals, all the education and techniques in the world will not establish and nurture the kind of relationship where trust and safety thrive. Hence, as a Client Centered therapist, my primary task is to “get” where my client is at in their process, and start from there. In addition, it is fundamental that I discover and create, along with my client, an environment where, over time, an experience of safety and trust becomes the bedrock of the relationship.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My hope is to have my client walk away from a session with an experience of a deeper insight into who they are, as well as an idea of how they can be more effective in their life. With this understanding, moving forward, a client will, in a cumulative manner, improve the quality of their life. Continuing, my hope is that a client leave a session at least one “ tool” that they can put to use immediately in their world. This tool could be a number of things. Nonetheless, it will be a tangible, relevant skill which any client can put to use as they walk out into their world
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
As stated above, I identify myself as a Client Centered therapist. What this means is that I recognize the relationship between client and therapist is the most important aspect of psychotherapy. My style is very interactive, coming from a nonjudgmental, accepting place. I encourage my client to convey to me where they are at in their life journey, and make the necessary adjustments to ensure my client experiences therapy as a team effort.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I’ve been described by former clients as someone who is gentle and sensitive to my client’s needs, providing a safe space for them to communicate these needs and what works best for them. Along with Client Centered therapy, I incorporate DBT, Dialectable Behavioral Therapy, which is a therapeutic model that focuses and builds on developing effective coping skills. There are core components incorporated in DBT…..Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Positive Self-talk, Radial Acceptance, and others, all designed to re-educate us on how to be more effective in our lives, and experience more joy and peace of mind.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Primary, my clientele is adults, couples, and families.