Existential Therapists in Amelia Island, FL

I have been a licensed psychologist for over 22 years and work with complicated trauma, adjustment, anxiety, depression and severe mental illness. In addition to treatment, my areas of specialty include diagnostic clarification for cognitive, personality and intellectual assessment. I use a goal-directed approach to solving problems of living and focus on your strengths using Gestalt Therapy - a humanistic, holistic, person-centered form of psychotherapy.

How can we enjoy life when we feel so sad, lonely and in conflict? Reaching for help can feel overwhelming. Many things can stimulate a search for a therapist: feelings of depression, anxiety, difficult relationships, or dissatisfaction with life. Having a supportive therapist to talk with can be helpful. In therapy, you can learn to identify thoughts, beliefs, and behavior patterns that hold you back from achieving your goals. You will also learn to recognize and build on the strengths you already possess to identify practical solutions to the problems you face as we dive into deeper exploration of the "whys" for long term healing.

Taking the first step in finding a therapist can be difficult. Your choice of clinicians is an essential one. The connection between you and your therapist is the foundation for therapy. Therapy is a collaborative experience. It is my responsibility to provide a safe space, conducive to healing, and growth. I use a variety of the most innovative, evidence-based therapeutic approaches available. Our work together will give you the opportunity to, identity blocks, develop your ability to transcend limiting beliefs and perceptions that no longer work in your best interest. You will be able to live your life free to be you.

My practice caters to those who desire true change in their lives. Bring your willingness and desire for change and together we will work to heal your life. I have a true passion to help people get beyond their self-limiting beliefs, emotional scars and sabotaging behaviors and reclaim their birth right of wholly intact self-worth and peace of mind. I am trained in EMDR therapy and utilize it daily; I have found it an invaluable tool in helping my clients heal.

Beginning therapy can be intimidating, but once you decide to go for it, how do you pick the right therapist? I chose the name Blue Chair Sessions because I was scared by the thought of beginning my own therapy years ago. I want therapy for my clients to be accessible- as normal as sitting in a barber’s chair, an office chair, or a beach chair. You might be looking for help with a crisis, wanting an objective perspective on your life, trying to manage painful emotions, or dealing with a difficult relationship. Getting your life back on track is possible and it doesn't have to take years.

INTERNSHIP and RESIDENCY: Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, Florida. My individual, couples, and family counseling and psychotherapy often includes a personality assessment and evaluation combined with psychological protocols to individually tailor and refine the counseling process. This GENERAL PRACTICE of PSYCHOLOGY includes confidential comprehensive collaboration with local primary care physicians and psychiatrists, as needed. Early experience in the military and electronic engineering has led to many of my patients describing me as having gone from "HIGH TECH to HIGH TOUCH." My wide breadth of life experience translates to a unique therapeutic perspective.

Deciding to begin counseling is one of the best and most important decisions you can make. Successful counseling begins with the therapeutic relationship between the counselor and the client. Trust is at the heart of being able to be vulnerable and honest. This is why I put significant effort into establishing rapport and creating a safe space, free of judgment, for you to feel comfortable discussing difficult issues. The goal is a harmonious relationship where you feel safe to address your feelings, ideas, worries, struggles, and dreams. Strong communication will allow us to move toward the changes you want.

Barbara is an empathetic and experienced counselor who works with her clients to map out an individualized plan for success. As a board certified counselor, Barbara provides treatment for adults dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, adjusting to life's transitions and dealing with trauma. She assists clients in gaining healthy coping strategies to better handle the difficulties of life. Barbara works with her clients to decrease patterns of negative thinking and to establish a more accurate, optimistic outlook, leading to an overall sense of well-being and happiness.

My therapy style is collaborative and client centered. I believe each person is unique and has their own story, their own challenges and their own needs. I approach therapy from a humanistic perspective and use a variety of methods to help my clients. I have training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as well as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). I am open to working with my clients using the tools and methods they find most useful. I enjoy collaborating with my clients to help them find solutions to challenges, improve their well-being and support them in their journey.

I am working with both adolescents and adults. My theoretical orientation to counseling and psychotherapy is rooted in the philosophy of a humanistic-existential approach to human functioning. I use the tenets of individual responsibility to choice and decision-making and apply them within a cognitive-behavioral perspective (CBT) to counseling and clinical work. I consider myself a generalist with specialty training in cognitive rehabilitation, vocational/career counseling, as well as psychoeducational testing and other evaluations, such as pre-surgical evaluations (e.g., for bariatric procedures).

"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." (Joseph Campbell). I believe the potential for change and growth lies within us all! I partner with my clients in removing the barriers that prevent them from achieving goals, fulfilling life purposes, and experiencing peace. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, comfortable and experienced working with couples, families, groups, & individuals of all ages and diversity. My work focuses on healing the whole person- mind, body & spirit- and frequently includes existential, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioral strategies.

I have extensive experience working in individual, couples, family, outpatient, and inpatient settings. As a person in long-term recovery and a sur-thriver through adverse life experiences, my heart and passion are in helping individuals and families learn and overcome their uncomfortable experiences, reclaim their power, and live a fulfilled, joyful life.

Whether your goal is to become more productive, to find more meaning and purpose in life, to reduce emotional reactivity, or to gain some control over the symptoms of a mental illness, change is possible, and counseling can help. My approach is individualized for each client, but I often employ Internal Family Systems-informed therapy, mindfulness, existential, trauma-informed, and solution-focused approaches. I work with individuals, families, and groups.

One of the strongest predictors of success in therapy is the connection you have with your therapist. Finding the best fit is the first step! I have over 30 years of experience working with my clients to increase understanding of themselves and their inner lives. Working in a non-judgmental atmosphere you will uncover unsuccessful patterns and learn tools to change them I use both traditional and non-traditional approaches The goal is to leave feeling empowered and balanced to face life challenges. I only do virtual counseling with a HIPPA approved platform. I answer my own phone. You can decide if I'm the therapist for you!