Karen Barry, M.F.T., LMFT has been a licensed marriage and family therapist in North Carolina since 1997. She is a graduate of Hahnemann University Graduate School in Philadelphia PA (now part of Drexel University) where she earned a Master of Family Therapy (M.F.T.) degree. Karen continues to broaden and deepen her knowledge and strengthen her skills through continuous education. She has been studying Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy EFT) since 2003, and trained in EMDR therapy by The EMDR Institute in 2004. She has been a member the AAMFT since school and is a founding member of the Marriage Friendly Therapist Network . She's served as director for the North Carolina Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and is active in several professional groups.
Karen works with most age groups who've experienced dramatic life changing events such as trauma (big T and small t), mental and behaviors problems such as mood disorders, stress, communication troubles, relationship distress whether it's with a romantic partner, a family member, a friend or even co-workers and supervisors, addictions and a variety of others areas where support is needed.
She has worked hard over the years to develop a specialty in couples therapy which also includes physical intimacy. Couples therapy is probably the most complex and multi-dimensional of all therapies and requires many years to master. Karen knows from her education and experience that helping couples achieve a more loving relationship will promote personal health and productivity, healthier childhood development and create a more resilient family.
She is known for being able to engage even the most reluctant clients because she strives to make therapy enjoyable and a comfortable experience.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area in California she also lived in the Philadelphia area where she attended graduate school. In 199e she moved to North Carolina in 1995. Karen's first career was in business where she worked in the tech industry in Silicon Valley and Philadelphia. She feels incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue a second career involving her real interest-people. She found marriage and family therapy to be the perfect therapeutic orientation for her and has been passionate about her work ever since.
Karen works with most age groups who've experienced dramatic life changing events such as trauma (big T and small t), mental and behaviors problems such as mood disorders, stress, communication troubles, relationship distress whether it's with a romantic partner, a family member, a friend or even co-workers and supervisors, addictions and a variety of others areas where support is needed.
She has worked hard over the years to develop a specialty in couples therapy which also includes physical intimacy. Couples therapy is probably the most complex and multi-dimensional of all therapies and requires many years to master. Karen knows from her education and experience that helping couples achieve a more loving relationship will promote personal health and productivity, healthier childhood development and create a more resilient family.
She is known for being able to engage even the most reluctant clients because she strives to make therapy enjoyable and a comfortable experience.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area in California she also lived in the Philadelphia area where she attended graduate school. In 199e she moved to North Carolina in 1995. Karen's first career was in business where she worked in the tech industry in Silicon Valley and Philadelphia. She feels incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue a second career involving her real interest-people. She found marriage and family therapy to be the perfect therapeutic orientation for her and has been passionate about her work ever since.
Integrative Health Care and Collaboration
Pulling It All Together
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There is a very strong relationship between physical and mental health. There are many studies that show a profound connection between mind, body and spirit. This demonstrates that people with healthy and secure relationships heal faster, feel pain less
intensely and recover more successfully, following a major illness or surgery. Our bodies are definitely affected by mental health and relationship well being. For example, one study showed that people who are depressed prior to having a heart attack are 5 times more likely to die from the event than patients who were not depressed. We’ve learned the best practice for treatment of depression combines the use of medication, exercise and psychotherapy. Holding the hand of a trusted loved one decreases pain. Karen strongly believes that collaborating with Primary Care Physicians and other specialists helps ensure you are being treated as a whole person, mind and body. She encourages her clients to take personal responsibility for their health and to be open to multi-modal treatments such as therapeutic massage, acupuncture, energy work, spiritual direction and mindfulness techniques. Some or all of these health oriented modalities can work together to bring about a healthier whole person. |
Karen M. Barry is affiliated with the following associations:
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