Barbara Freedman (She/Her)
Pre-Licensed Professional, M.Ed., OAMHP(Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals-2704-G)
In-Person in Ottawa, ON
Online in
Ontario
Need a safe place to express and process your feelings and concerns? As a Mental Health Worker/Counsellor, for 20 years, 9 of which I have been on The Quick Victim Response List for for Ottawa Victim Services, I have successfully dedicated myself to help facilitate the healing of hundreds of Victim Service clients. Specializing in the areas of crisis intervention, abuse, along with complicated grief and trauma informed counselling, I provide a safe space for those who have sustained crime-related circumstances, such as physical and sexual assault, including rape. Clients seeking Victim Services include those who have been impacted by intimate partner violence or child abuse. These clients are comprised of those who endured tragedies such as homicide of a family member, or a being a witness to violent crime. I have provided an emotional holding environment for victims who have experienced sex trafficking or have been subjected to hate crimes, which have escalated over the past years. I was also on the list of counsellors for Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) which is available across Ontario, administered once again through Victim Services. ICE is a program which provides referrals to short-term counselling for children and youth victims of internet sexual exploitation along with their impacted family members.
I delivered my counselling skills to both foster parents, along with employees who faced personal challenges, during my employment with Life Span Services of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, USA Adoption and Foster Care. I worked for this organization under the direction and supervision of Patrick Shea (Executive Director).
As a worldwide cyber counsellor on Presto Experts from 1997 until the time in which this site shut down in 2023, I held one of the top ten highest ranking positions for many years.
In my role at Centerpointe House, an institute dedicated to assisting people in their efforts to achieve a sense of well-being and personal growth, I offered in person counseling as well as support groups and workshops.
My prior volunteer experience with the vulnerable population includes my work at “Belong Ottawa,” formerly known as “The Well,” which at the time was a drop in day shelter for woman and children. This experience afforded me the opportunity to facilitate referrals to other social services, whenever appropriate. In addition to connecting the woman to these resources, I provided them with outreach in the form of immediate response through crisis intervention and advocacy. Among the some of the concerns which these clients were dealing with included homelessness, low-income housing, abuse, trauma, suicide ideology, as well as LGBTQ issues.
I have taken much pride in witnessing former Ottawa Victim Service in addition to other 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, Pacific Islander, 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.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- 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.
- Play Therapy Uses toys, games, and creative play to help children express emotions. It is especially useful when children can’t fully verbalize their feelings.
- 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: My theoretical framework to counselling, along with the interventions I make use of are eclectic, drawing on a wide array of modalities, in accordance with each client’s individualized needs and preference. Although I am eclectic in my approach, 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.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee $175 CAD
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- I am sensitive to client's financial issues, particularly these days, with outrageous housing and food costs. I would be pleased to discuss individual concerns regarding to payment.
- Out of Network
Education & Credentials
Barbara Freedman M.Ed., OAMHP(Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals-2704-G)
- Female
- License # 2704-G
- Licensed in ON
- Practicing Since 2003
Education: M. Ed
Barbara Freedman Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Ottawa, ON
- Available Online for residents of Ontario
- Online Therapy Details: Phone or video
With over 35 years of experience in the fields of education and social services, I offer a Master in Education. I received certification in Crisis & Suicide Intervention (ASIST), as well as Object Relations Therapy and Self-Psychology, an approach which is currently being widely practiced with victims of trauma. In addition, I am a trained S.O.S. (Survivors of Suicide), and have previously co-facilitated this group, for those who are grieving the loss of a family member or loved one by suicide. As a survivor myself, this offers me a much more sensitive perspective from which to draw on. There is a clear need, for this as it involves a particularly special grieving process which I believe requires specific training and experience.
I am registered with the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals and have obtained my professional liability insurance through this regulatory body and as such have agreed to abide by the standards and laws of this association.