Gabriela Barnett, LPC-MHSP

in Brentwood and throughout TN

A safe place to let your guard down as you connect, embrace, and love with

your most authentic self. 

Right now you may be feeling alone, dismissed, and isolated.

You feel caught up in a never ending cycle of your mind going back and forth trying to decide how to best make your way through this thing called life! 

Along the way, your mind somehow decided that the best way to support you was by pressuring you, telling you constantly how you could be doing better, doing more. Anytime you try to acknowledge-much less celebrate- a ‘win’, your mind tells you how you ‘should’ve’ done it differently or tells you ‘that’s not enough’ or ‘why are you celebrating that…that’s what you're supposed to be doing.’ 

While this feels like the truth, you're starting to wonder ‘is it?’ And more importantly, you are starting to wonder ‘is this helping me?’ 

You feel stuck in this never ending tug of war because your mind won’t let you reach out to others for help, for support, for perspective ...until now!

By being here, you have already started to break this ongoing cycle and tell your inner ‘bully’ you’re ready for support to look a whole helluva lot different.

If it feels ok for you…take a minute. Let out a breathe of relief that you are here. That you have taken this step that probably feels like a lot, that you are not having to go through all this alone.

I’m Gabi and I want to help you celebrate YOU!

In all the ways you show up for yourself-and others-every single day. In the small ways- that add up to big ways-, in big ways, in the ways that you are likely to overlook, minimize, or outright dismiss. We venture slowly into a ‘celebratory vibe’, starting with recognition and acknowledgement.

Through developing a strong, therapeutic partnership, we create a safe space for you to talk about what is going on in your life.

I create this space through natural conversations where there is a genuine back and forth, in which you are encouraged to take the lead on what we talk about each session. On the days where maybe it feels hard or you are unsure of where to start or where to go, that is where I come in, by providing  you with some options on how we can use our time together intentionally and purposefully.

While not all sessions look the same, you can count on leaving sessions feeling supported, having a better understanding of what is going on for you, and having some next steps to try.

What it’s like to work with me:

  • The most foundational, and important, part of our time together, is us creating a strong therapeutic partnership, where you have a place -and a person- you feel comfortable sharing the most uncomfortable parts of yourself. With these parts being met with gentleness, openness, and acceptance.

  • It can be hard to know where you’re going if you don’t know where you've been and how it’s impacted you. In exploring your past, we are actively looking to increase your understanding of the messages you’ve received and how they’ve impacted your belief systems about yourself and the world. As we create space for your inner ‘bully’ and inner ‘cheerleader,’ we explore whose words and whose voices did you hear these messages from? How did hearing these things make you feel or behave? How did they decide who would show up for you?

  • Identifying core values can often be one of the most meaningful activities for your healing journey. Being able to identify with your core values can be a cornerstone for you to fall back on when you are feeling self-doubt, experiencing uncertainty in making decisions, or feeling disconnected from yourself. Living in line with core values helps you connect with your most authentic self, make intentional decisions, and feel more secure in the ways you are living your life.

  • One of the core ways we work together is by building up your ability to appreciate the ways you show up every single day to your life. Acknowledging the ways this will look different day in and day out- because no two days are 100% the same no matter how much we ‘routine.’ We create space for both the ‘bully’ and the ‘cheerleader’ to show up, allowing them to share and support each other so that they can make peace and learn how to compassionately support you!

Coming to therapy and being willing to open yourself up

-from the first message through the last session-

is really hard!

And if you are someone who struggles with self-doubt, perfectionism, pushing down emotions in favor of ‘i’m fine,’ taking these steps can feel excruciating.

So you are wanting someone who gets what reaching out really means, someone who understands what it means to wrestle with an inner voice that says you’re ‘not enough,’ who understands the feeling of exhaustion, sadness, loneliness, overwhelm, and self-doubt that accompanies these thoughts.

 I get it!

I have spent a little over 9 years working with individuals who grapple with these thoughts and feelings on a daily basis.

And, I have done my own work in this area-and continue to do my own work here. I recognize the importance of having a safe space to talk through these thoughts and feelings, to feel heard and validated in these moments, and to help find the skills to feel at peace.

While I definitely will nod, have a ton of facial movement, and ask ‘how do you feel?’ there are many more responses you will get from me.

Clients describe me as ‘down-to-earth,’ ‘authentic,’ and ‘communicative’-with a great memory.

Throughout our sessions I am completely engaged, encouraging you to share at your own pace, providing honest reactions, asking genuine questions, checking in often to make sure I’m getting it, and partnering with you to come up with helpful ways to practice what we talked about in session.

Mindfulness:

Mindfulness has become a common word when people talk about mental health and self-care. However, with so many examples and so many people talking about it, it can leave us wondering, what is it? And how can it help me? 

Mindfulness is all about connection, curiosity, and compassion. 

  • We connect to the present moment, focusing on what is happening in the here and now, paying attention to who is speaking, what is being said, how we are chopping a vegetable as well as paying attention to what thoughts and feelings we are having in the moment. 

  • Is questioning where these thoughts and feelings are coming from, what information or messages are they giving us, and what choices do we want to make from them. 

  • Not judging ourselves if we tune out of the conversation or feel fear at chopping the vegetables, making room to experience our feelings, allowing them to be there, and then letting them go. 

Mindfulness allows us to let go of our inner back and forth so that we can have peace. 

ACT

You decrease the amount of energy you spend trying to change your feelings and are able to spend more time living life the way you want to live it.

DBT & CBT

Incorporating cognitive and behavioral strategies, you develop skills to tolerate and regulate intense emotions, as well as being able to develop newer, helpful, and more compassionate thoughts.

Person-Centered

As your therapist, my role is to provide a nonjudgmental ear and validating voice in your personal journey of self-acceptance.

Degrees: 

Loyola University Maryland

MS Counseling Psychology 

Magna Cum Laude

Syracuse University

BA Psychology and BS Child and Family Studies 

Summa Cum Laude

Credentials

Licensure:

Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider

License Number:

4422

Trainings:

Acceptance-Commitment Therapy

Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Mindfulness

Motivational Interviewing: focus in Substance Use

Let’s Work Together to Learn How to  Compassionately Show Up for Yourself!