I am an alternative, openminded, non-judgmental therapist for those folks who have felt marginalized, ostracized, bullied, and judged for expressing parts of themselves that may be deemed "weird" or misunderstood. I am educated and experienced in LGBTQIA+ issues, trauma recovery, grief, relationship issues in unconventional relationships (poly, kink, platonic, etc.) I seek to help clients explore their values that have likely been buried by trauma, shame, and people-pleasing, and help form a structure to living a life that feels more genuine.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session I want to get to know you and what you are struggling with. I don't need you to go in any particular order or timeline. I feel like information is like a jigsaw puzzle, it can come from all over and I will put it together into a picture of you. I would like to then identify what your goals are so I can be sure we stay on track to achieve them.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I bring unique experiences, knowledge, and perspectives best to serve people who feel they don't fit in to the statistical norm of their peers. I am not shocked easily and want clients to feel there's a safe space for the things that make them feel strange and unusual. My method is to always keep you in the driver seat of your life.
About Kathleen Barker
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Compassion Focused
Shifting past barriers of individual shame or shaming, I bring compassion into the forefront working mind in order to make changes from a place of support and comfort rather than shaming and pain.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Completed ACT training about 5 years ago and find its interventions integral in moving forward towards increased well-being and life satisfaction.
Couples Counseling
Experienced in couples and couples+(throuples, polycules, etc) therapy for 8 years. Understanding of different dynamics and structures as well as able to assist in forming healthier structures if necessary.
Humanistic
Identified early on as a Humanistic therapist- the client is the expert, I am but a guide.
Grief Therapy
Grief is a main focus I work with. I bring understanding and compassion for grief of all kinds- not just loss through death- breakups, friend loss, pet loss, dream loss, loss of abilities, loss of identity, etc.