About Me

Welcome to Ad Lucem! My name is Barbara. I am a graduate of Oregon State University's Counseling program and a mental health counselor specializing in trauma and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). In my practice, I utilize the clear goals, educational properties, and varied applications of CBT and DBT. The blame-free, respectful, client-as-the-expert approach of Narrative Therapy is also very appealing to me. With my advanced degree in English Language Arts and a passion for stories, I am hugely attracted to the idea that we can empower people to challenge their problematic life stories and identify alternative ones that lead to healthier habits, better self-esteem, and greater life satisfaction. We are the writers in charge of our own life stories and no matter how turbulent the beginning or how dramatic the plot, we get to decide how the story ends.

Currently, I am working with adult clients of all ages on a variety of issues from mood disorders to grief, trauma, intimacy issues, and life transitions. I am especially interested in helping the survivors of single occurrence traumas such as violent attacks, traumatic accidents, natural disasters, and sexual assaults. I also work with clients trying to heal from the insidious consequences of chronic childhood neglect and early attachment trauma.