Barbara Dern

We all have different reasons for seeking counseling; however, if you feel it is valuable to seek positive change in your life I look forward to joining you on that journey. I work with individuals, couples, families, and groups seeking to increase their self-awareness and connect their emotions and thoughts.I have worked with young children, adolescents, and adults. My experience includes developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, and other emotional concerns.Helping you reach your goals is my passion. I use an emotion focused approach and have received training in Dr. Sue Johnson's Emotionally Focused Therapy. Additionally, I have training in Play Therapy, sandtray, and art therapies. I utilize a creative, experiential approach to encourage clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and relationships.

Making the decision to ask for help can be difficult and feel defeating. Often, we can feel like giving up of things don’t get better immediately. I encourage you to trust the process. Lean into it when it seems like it is getting worse. Remember, I am here to support and encourage you on this journey and we will get through this together. You will come out stronger on the other side. 

As a counselor, I use emotionally focused therapy to help both individuals and couples become hole. Emotions are central to our experiences and our interactions with others and impact how we communicate. Emotionally focused therapy helps get to what’s underneath our behaviors, so we can communicate in more effective and satisfying ways. 

Telehealth has changed the way we access care and has allowed more people than ever to get the care they need. Although it can take some getting use to, Telehealth allows many advantages such as allowing you to access care where you are most comfortable; your home. Telehealth also takes down many traditional barriers to care, such as limited practitioners in rural areas. Now, more than ever, mental health care is accessible at your door.

I love using art therapy with clients. Sometimes it is easier to express ourselves through symbols and images than words. When our cognitive/logical brain can’t put into words we can use art to process through difficult emotions.