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I am so glad you are taking the first step in this journey! Now let me introduce myself. My name is Brenda Barba, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been in the mental health profession for 5 years, but in the field for nearly 10. I enjoy what I do and constantly continue to educate myself to provide the best service to individuals who want to grow, heal, control their emotions, increase self-awareness and confidence, and learn coping skills to reach the best version of themselves. I have worked with a wide range of mental health diagnoses including but not limited to personality disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. My approach to therapy varies; I can use psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, or integrative approaches; whatever is clinically appropriate to the individual's goals in therapy.
My approach
I first make sure to develop a healthy foundation, build rapport, and a safe space with whomever I am working with. I know how important it is to find a therapist that feels right and whom you can trust. In therapy, I most commonly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy because it works! Always person-centered. You tell me what you need from therapy and I will do my best to guide you to your treatment goals. I can help uncover your unconscious thoughts to help you understand why you feel the way you feel and why you behave and/or react the way you do (psychodynamic). I can help you understand where you developed negative/maladaptive behaviors causing conflict in your life and practice eliminating those behaviors (Behavioral). I can help you understand how your thoughts can lead to negative and/or positive feelings resulting in actions/behaviors (Cognitive). I can validate you when making rational decisions independently that help you reach your full potential (humanistic). Or I can use all these approaches and modify each to best fit your therapeutic goals (Integrative).
My focus
I enjoy doing individual therapy with adults ranging from 18 to 75 years of age who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, anger, borderline or bipolar disorders. I also work with couples who want to work through conflict, estrangement, loss of love, affairs, and communication problems.
My communication style
I am easy to talk to, genuine, and empathetic. I make sure to provide a compassionate supportive space for everyone I work with. My goal is to build trust so you can feel comfortable, safe, and without judgment. However, as your therapist, I will challenge you with the best intention in mind.
My first session with you
In our first session, I will spend some time getting to know you and start building our therapeutic relationship. I will explore reasons that lead you to seek therapy and what you are trying to accomplish while in therapy. We will establish treatment goals together and ensure we are a good fit for each other.
