Barbara Freedman (She/Her)
Counselor/Therapist, M.Ed., OAMHP(Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals)
Need a safe place to express and process your feelings and concerns? As a Mental Health Worker/Counsellor, for 9 years on The Quick Victim Response Program (QVRP+)list for Ottawa Victim Services I have successfully dedicated myself to help facilitate the healing of hundreds of Victim Service clients in the areas of crisis intervention, abuse, and trauma. I have taken much pride in witnessing former Ottawa Victim Service clients going on to achieve such successful outcomes as living more fully and authentically, following their traumas. It would bring me much gratification to be afforded the opportunity to contribute to an even wider client base by bringing my expertise and experience to Therapy Tribe as a Counsellor /Mental Health Professional. As such I encourage you to visit my descriptions of the various treatment approaches I use with each of my specialties offered.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Children, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian, Black / African American, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Hispanic / Latino, Jewish, LDS/Mormon, LGBTQ+, Men, Middle Eastern, Military / Veterans, Muslim, Native American, Persons with Disabilities, Sikh, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Adlerian Therapy Focuses on understanding a person’s sense of belonging and purpose. It helps people overcome feelings of inferiority and create healthier relationships.
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Behavioral Therapy Uses learning techniques like reinforcement and practice to change unwanted behaviors. It is often applied to phobias, anxiety, and habits.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Experiential Therapy Involves hands-on activities to bring emotions into the present moment. It helps clients process feelings more deeply than through conversation alone.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Imago Relationship Therapy Helps couples understand how childhood experiences influence adult relationships. It teaches communication techniques to deepen connection.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Object Relations Therapy Focuses on how early caregiver relationships shape current relationships. It aims to improve patterns of attachment and trust.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Psychosocial Therapy Looks at how social and environmental factors affect psychological health. It emphasizes relationships, community, and resilience.
- Self Psychology Explores the development of self-esteem and identity. It emphasizes the importance of empathy in healing.
- Social Learning Therapy Based on the idea that people learn behaviors by observing others. It applies modeling and reinforcement to encourage healthy change.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: Although I am eclectic in my approach to counselling, I use a Humanistic approach to offer client centered counselling , allowing clients to develop their own path in which to align with their values and goals. For immediate short-term sessions, I often employ Crisis Intervention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy along with Brief Solution Focused Modalities to facilitate problem solving and self care skills.
For more ongoing, longer- term work with clients I have many techniques at my disposal. An experiential approach is necessary to guide clients to explore and process difficult feelings, or to assist those suffering from loss, to achieve closure, so that they can begin to heal. The latter is also useful in helping those who are unable to manage their feelings, due to earlier unresolved feelings and experiences, which need to be worked through.
Education & Credentials
Barbara Freedman M.Ed., OAMHP(Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals)
- Female
- License # 2704-G
- Licensed in ON
- Practicing Since 2005
Education: I offer a M. Ed. along with receiving certification in Crisis & Suicide Intervention, in addition to training in Object Relations Therapy and Self-Psychology, approaches which are widely practiced with victims of trauma.
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee 150 US
- Out of Network
Barbara Freedman Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
Barbara Freedman Practice Description
With over 35 years of experience in the fields of education and social services, I offer a I offer a master’s degree. I received certification in Crisis & Suicide Intervention, in addition to Object Relations Therapy and Self-Psychology, an approach which is practiced a great extent with trauma victims. I am registered with the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals Membership No: 2704-G. I have obtained my professional liability insurance through this regulatory body and as such have agreed to abide by the standards and law of this association.