Meet the Counselor
Meet Barbara Bennett, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
"Every person has a story worth understanding."
My desire is to provide a place where you can be known as a whole person—not simply by a diagnosis, a symptom, a painful experience, or the struggle that brought you to counseling.
I approach counseling with compassion, curiosity, and respect for the uniqueness of each person I meet. I value the therapeutic relationship and believe effective counseling begins with taking the time to listen, understand your story, and collaboratively identify the concerns and goals that are most important to you.
My Approach to Counseling
There is no single counseling approach that fits every person.
My clinical training allows me to draw from a variety of evidence-informed therapeutic approaches based on each client's needs, concerns, and treatment goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Narrative Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Other clinically appropriate interventions
Clinical knowledge can help us understand patterns in thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and responses to painful experiences. In counseling, we may work together to identify these patterns, better understand how they developed, and explore healthier ways of responding and moving forward.
I do not believe counseling is simply about telling people what to do. I see counseling as a collaborative process characterized by honest conversation, thoughtful exploration, practical support, and meaningful growth.
Christian Faith and Counseling
My Christian faith meaningfully shapes the way I understand human dignity, relationships, suffering, grace, and hope.
For clients who desire Christian counseling, faith can be intentionally and thoughtfully integrated into the counseling process. Depending on your goals and preferences, this may include exploring Christian beliefs and values, Scripture, prayer, spiritual concerns, or the ways your relationship with God intersects with the challenges you are facing.
I believe clients should not have to choose between professional clinical care and counseling that thoughtfully honors the Christian faith that is central to their lives.
Who I Work With
I provide counseling for adolescents, adults, couples, families, and senior adults, serving clients ages 12 and older.
I have experience helping clients navigate concerns including:
• Anxiety and fear
• Depression and discouragement
• Trauma and painful life experiences
• Grief and loss
• Relationship challenges
• Marriage concerns
• Life transitions
• Emotional regulation
• Family concerns
• Spiritual struggles
• Identity and personal growth
Every client's story is different. These concerns may bring someone to counseling, but they do not define the whole person.
Training and Professional Background
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and hold a Bachelor's degree in Counseling and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Clarks Summit University.
I have extensive training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), an evidence-based treatment model developed to help children and adolescents address the impact of traumatic experiences. My training in this model also informs my broader trauma-focused work with adult clients as I help them
understand trauma-related patterns, develop healthy coping skills, and move toward healing and resilience.
I am also trained in MATCH-ADTC, the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Conduct Problems. This training provides a flexible, evidence-informed framework for addressing the complex and sometimes overlapping concerns adolescents may experience.
In my work with couples, I am a certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator. Prepare/Enrich provides structured assessment and relationship tools that can help couples identify strengths, explore areas for growth, strengthen communication, and develop healthier relationship patterns.
My ongoing goal as a counselor is to continue learning and growing professionally so that I can serve clients with skill, humility, and thoughtful care.
A Little About Me
Outside of the counseling office, I have been married for nearly 38 years to the love of my life, and we are the parents of two adult sons. My family is deeply important to me and has been a significant part of my own story of growth, joy, challenge, and grace.
My husband and I love visiting National Parks and have a goal of visiting all 63. I also play trumpet in a community orchestra and have spent much of my life around volleyball, including 26 years as a coach and 11 years as an official. When life is a little quieter, you may find me reading, golfing, gardening, cross-stitching, scrapbooking, or enjoying a good board game.
I value the relationships, experiences, and ordinary moments that bring joy, create connection, and remind us to make room for the things that matter.
There is room for hope.