Areas of Specialization

Stress & Anxiety

When the present becomes overwhelming, it is very common to jump into the future and assume the worst. While each of us will experience varying degrees of anxiety, our symptoms can become intolerable when it impacts our ability to think, sleep, focus and participate in our life. Therapeutic interventions include awareness of the root(s) of your anxiety and specifically targeted emotional regulation tools to help you alleviate distress.

 

Attachment Style & Relationships

Did you know that close to 70% of people seeking therapy are motivated to begin therapy in order to cope with relationship challenges? Our relationships and what we need to feel safe with intimacy are vulnerable pain points for so many of us. It is never too late to learn new patterns, especially when we are motivated to grow. Our therapists are trained in Emotionally-Focused Therapy which focuses on our attachment style and how to build and repair intimacy.

 

Psychological Astrology

Psychological astrology is the result of the cross-fertilization of the fields of astrology and psychology. This form of counseling was practiced by psychoanalyst Carl Jung as he had a birth chart on each client and utilized astrology within sessions. Our therapists are trained in astrology and will integrate it with therapy when appropriate.

 

Bicultural, Latino, People Of Color, Recent Immigrants

Specific stressors, oppressive policies, and racism are faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and recent immigrants. This is a particular area of expertise and experience for our therapist, Jackie Muñiz, LCSW who conducts sessions in English, Spanish, or a combination of both languages.

 

Career & Work

Many of us associate having a mission or purpose with what we do in the world of work. Inside modern society, we spend a great deal of our life working at a job. When we feel professionally fatigued, overworked, stuck, unmotivated and/or have symptoms of burnout, these experiences can impact our overall emotional and physical wellness. Therapy with a focus on professional endeavors can help someone uncover and understand their creative blocks, take new risks, negotiate with management and find greater fulfillment.

 

Intergenerational Trauma

Intergenerational trauma—sometimes referred to as transgenerational trauma—is a term that is used to describe the impact of a traumatic experience, not only on one generation but on subsequent generations after the event. These traumatic events can be, but are not limited to, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, financial), genocide, slavery, addictions, deaths, accidents, war, kidnapping, immigration, incarceration, illness, etc. The impact of intergenerational trauma can affect the individual(s) surviving and future generations to come. 

When addressing trauma and traumatic experiences that have impacted generations, counseling targeted at addressing and unpacking trauma passed down generationally can make a difference. Our therapists are trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Narrative Therapy and come up with an individualized treatment plan to help clients move forward.

 

Adolescents

Adolescents in today’s world are faced with so many unique challenges. Simultaneously, they are figuring out who they are and where they feel safe. Teens are challenged to question their identity, sexuality, and relationships. Likewise, mental health providers often see adolescence as a time where symptoms of anxiety and/or depression may first develop or become noticeable. Our clinicians have many years of experience in counseling adolescents and providing family therapy. We will utilize gestalt therapy, play therapy, narrative therapy and art therapy to support teens and their families as they navigate this important time in their lives.

 

Women’s Mental Health

Our therapists at Aimee Barr & Associates practice Feminist Psychotherapy. We believe in an empowerment model and feel strongly that therapy needs to also examine the cultural, social and political influences that society exerts on gender identity. Women’s mental health includes examining all of the roles women often carry, including daughter, mother, sister, granddaughter, friend, employee, spouse, etc. Our therapists help clients explore the concept of gender in their life and how that also relates to culture and ethnicity for them. Many additional topics we focus on include motherhood, partnerships, hormonal changes, sexual intimacy and gender-based discrimination and violence.