Marivel Barnard, Licensed Master Social Worker

Navigating difficult life-altering transitions and dealing with past trauma was never intended to be experienced all alone. I can walk alongside you and provide you with both clinical and spiritual tools that can help you with the healing process, as well as setting goals for moving forward, and building resilience while nurturing healthy relationships. 

All Faiths, or no Faith Individuals, are also Welcome Here.

As a Christian Therapist I incorporate prayer, scripture, and biblical principles with evidence-based treatments. Among some of the Treatments I use are CBT, Trauma Focused CBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Gratitude Therapy, and Finding Grace in Therapy. My framework is trauma informed and it relies on real evidence and deep faith. I believe in a holistic approach which is grounded in complete wellness of the mind, the body, and the spirit and honors you, where you are, and where you have been. When navigating grief, past trauma, or past substance abuse, an example of incorporating Grace as a clinical/spiritual application means to, with the aid of Prayer and Scripture readings, first allow for slow healing without rushing emotional recovery; and, to foster deep self-forgiveness and acceptance. Along with learning to be gentle and compassionate with yourself during very difficult seasons of your life, for complete restoration, for finding peace, and effective tools to build a safe supportive network of loving relationships. 

Other treatment modalities I utilize include music therapy, play therapy (for children), and environmental intervention therapy, which focuses on helping clients integrate and interact better with their physical, social, and cultural environments. I am fully Bilingual, completely fluent in speaking, reading, and writing, in Spanish, and raised in a Latin family, I am also able to exercise cultural competence. I strive to meet you where you are, and support you, while providing guidance, encouragement, and hope, in a safe and compassionate space that allows for trust and collaboration to develop and to thrive.

I work with all ages, children, adolescents, adults, and families who are working on rebuilding and restoring their relationships. I also work with families who need emotional support while raising a special needs child, and with caregivers who need encouragement and guidance to access services as well as practical skills for self-care. I work with families dealing with children with Autism and ADHD and teach advocacy skills needed that can help promote a collaborative relationship between parents and school staff to create a more positive and successful academic, and social experience for their child.

When treating children for trauma, I use children's TF-CBT, provide Psychoeducation to the parent/s to reinforce grounding skills taught as well as effective parenting that supports the child's treatment. 

I would be so honored and grateful to earn your trust and walk alongside you, as you work on achieving goals which integrate spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing, and promote healing and growth in all domains.