Barbara Bachmeier

Barbara Bachmeier-Levy, PSYD. Hi, my name is Barbara Bachmeier-Levy and I am a seasoned licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health across all levels of care. I also bring years of experience to the tele/video mental health world to offer a solution for time management and logistical issues to many individuals who might otherwise find it difficult to show up to their psychotherapy appointments. Psychological and emotional pain is real, yet it can be managed and we can heal. Helping you move toward a life that you experience as meaningful, value-filled, and purpose-driven is mine to do when you commit to therapy with me. Together we can improve the quality of your life. I provide an integrated approach and I work collaboratively with you to match your personal therapy style. Using basic CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) as a foundation, we can expand our empowerment journey using a variety of modalities depending on your personal preference. I love my life. Life can be a struggle sometimes, but it is supposed to be. That is how we learn and I believe this is Classroom Earth. I love learning. I love spoiling my three dogs and 4 cats. I love the 4 seasons of California and going for long drives with my husband. For me, each day is a new day, a new adventure, and a new beginning. I would love to hear about you, your perspective, and how you are relating to your world. Let’s join each other for a walk-through of mind mazes and emotional oceans. Let’s engage in a process of identifying and making little changes here and there that can add up to a whole new way of moving, breathing, and experiencing your own being as we map our way through using expert navigation tools and see what lies ahead! We can do this!

My approach

My approach is integrated with a basic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy core. These strategies include removing distortions in thinking that are creating problems; strengthening problem-solving skills and increasing confidence in one’s own abilities; changing behavioral, emotional response, and thought patterns; facing fears, and mindfulness. Below is a limited list of approaches that I can integrate depending on your preferences: * ACT (Acceptance Behavior Therapy): This approach combined with additional approaches of clients' choice is very effective in treating anxiety and depression. * Psychodynamic: These approaches include, but not limited to uncovering unconscious psychological processes including wishes and fears that may have developed as a result of past experience with the goal of increasing awareness of unresolved inner conflicts and resolving them. This process may include what is often described as "talk therapy" but is designed to help the client "connect dots", dream interpretation, journaling, and more. * Psycho-Spiritual: an approach that can be used regardless of religious affiliation or ideological perspective. Utilizing the principles of psychology, the spiritual understanding of the client increases, and the client progresses on the spiritual path. The assumption is that all experiences are part of the spiritual process and are designed to facilitate our progress. Together we work on doing this work from a spiritual paradigm. * Supportive: This approach is often used with clients who are managing chronic pain or who are walking through a grief process and combined with ACT can help an individual exponentially. * Consultive is often requested by clients who want to hear my suggestions, but who will make their own decisions about whether or not to use my suggestions and how they will incorporate those suggestions into their own process

My focus

My clients have more often than not been motivated to engage in self-discovery, and often have some specific ideas about what they want to change, accomplish, or process. They enjoy a two-way engagement and quickly learn that I am a person that they can trust to share their personal journey with.

My communication style

Naturally, an effective active listener is able to integrate several listening styles over the course of a therapeutic relationship- My focus is on you and what you are telling me about your situation, your emotional content, your ideas, and your dreams. This necessitates a strong use of informational listening in order to assess your needs and outcome desires for therapy as well as therapeutic and empathetic as we engage in the therapeutic process combined with critical listening as I use my expertise to analyze the holistic content of your experience. I am relaxed, and nonjudgemental, often do have ideas to share with you if you are open and desire to hear them, and I want to hear what you are bringing to our session.

My journey to mental healthcare

I have always been a spiritual person. I have always had the sense that we are all called to be instruments and servants to a calling that matches our strengths and heart. I am a full and natural introvert that loves humans with passion! My calling is to serve humanity. Providing psychological services and therapy is the best match that a person with my calling, disposition, and personality can find. I love my work as it is very satisfying. Working one on one is a great way to fulfill my purpose and calling. I am happiest when serving you. Pre Doc experience includes but is not limited to working in a boys' home, in group homes for the developmentally challenged, a women's shelter, at Alta Regional Center, and in Care homes. I studied psychology in college and then received my PsyD (My doctorate in psychology) in 2008. I achieve pre-doc practicums at Sacramento Counseling Center and River Oak Center for Children. I achieved a pre-doc internship at a State Developmental Center. I completed my postdoc internship at Napa State Hospital. I completed my licensure in 2008. Since I became licensed, I worked at Napa State Hospital, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Government of Guam, Veterans Evaluation Services, the Department of Corrections, and my own private practice. I have provided services across all levels of care. I have experience with telehealth services in my own private practice since 2008. I have additional training in ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) and extensive experience with treating the emotional and psychological issues related to chronic pain in addition to working with anxiety and depression. EXECUTIVE and LIFE COACHING I am a trained Business and Life Coach and would be delighted to tell you more about that as well.

My goals for you

My hope for my clients is that their overall quality of life is improved. This is not limited to but may include more clarity about their own issues, resolution of personal issues when possible, and/or improved ability to manage life when personal issues cannot be resolved. Hopefully, this will bring a feeling of inner peace and centeredness. For those who suffer from anxiety and/or depression, an increased sense of empowerment, purpose, and self-efficacy will greatly improve their overall quality of life. Those who are walking through grief and loss often find peace when they understand the process of grief, are aware on a deep level that this experience is normal, and experience faith and hope that the intensity and frequency of related emotions will decrease over time. Those who are living with chronic pain gain renewed sense of self-efficacy when they are able to increase the management of the pain while also increasing the ability to engage with life. Reinventing one's self can lead to regeneration and a sense of strength and purpose deep within one's being.

My first session with you

During our first session, we will be getting the "housekeeping" completed. This includes answering a lot of questions related to an initial assessment. You will receive a link from PATH to use on your computer or phone. This ink is your door to my telehealth office. If you log in early, you will be placed in a virtual "waiting room". Once I come to this virtual waiting room, I will be able to admit you to the session. It is a good idea to bring your favorite tea, water or coffee, etc... and a comfort item such as a pillow, blanket, wrap, gadget, etc. It is also helpful if you are able to be in a private and comfortable place where you can speak freely without worry of interference from other people etc. Over the next 2 sessions, we will be getting clear on what your situation is, and what outcomes you are truly hoping for while addressing any immediate issues or concerns that you feel like processing. This helps me to be a better therapist and helps both of us to stay on track.