LMHC, LPC, NCC, CCMHC

Barbara earned her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree from Hood College and a dual Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Theological Studies.  For more than 19 years, Barbara has been successful in working with youth and families, in the areas of education, mental health, juvenile justice, and child welfare.  Barbara is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

In Barbara’s more than 19 years of experience, her professional accomplishments range from being a therapeutic Behavioral Analyst within a juvenile justice institution to Regional Manager of the National Youth Advocate Program, where Barbara advanced a struggling foster care program in the Indianapolis region. Within one year under Barbara’s leadership, NYAP’s foster care program census increased from 7 to over 50 kinship, adopted, or therapeutic foster care placements, as well as sizable increases in NYAP’s Transition from Restricted Placement program (TRP) and home-based therapeutic/case management services.  Moreover, Barbara assisted in restructuring Arkansas’ largest Juvenile Treatment Center for court-involved youth (12-21).  Within 9 months of serving as the Clinical Director, Barbara developed a sound team of clinicians to provide qualitative therapeutic services to youth. The facility’s culture shifted from low intensity therapeutic services to individualized treatments plans based on need. The facility became American Correctional Association (ACA) accredited.  Barbara’s intentional strategies of strengthening collaborative partnerships between organization stakeholders, as well as her ability to assess and plan has benefited multiple individuals and families.