Hello, my name is BJ. I am married and have 3 grown children, and 4 grandsons. I love spending time connecting with nature- especially hiking with my dog, landscaping, and raising my family of chickens! I also like to tap into my creativity by writing and painting.
I have a Master's Degree from Lakeland University (WI), and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Arizona and Wisconsin.
Because people are multi-faceted, my approach to counseling is holistic in nature. Incorporating strategies to address the whole individual, with the ultimate goal of creating positive future life plans, is a main focus. In the counseling process, I concentrate on helping others to gain insight to feelings or tendencies that can impede the ability to move forward, to utilize effective coping strategies, and to find options that can be hard to recognize when faced with difficult challenges. I also enjoy helping people to recognize, appreciate, and further develop their personal strengths. My counseling approach is primarily cognitive and solution-focused, and deeply grounded in Choice Theory.
My experience includes assisting individuals with a variety of concerns including depression and anxiety, family and relational issues, parenting skills, self-esteem, adjustment concerns, substance abuse, employment demands and loss of work, and educational/career exploration. In addition, I have both a personal and profound understanding of the many challenges faced by college students, adoptees, and those who work in the public safety sector.
Asking for help can be hard, but it can also be transforming. I respect your courage for coming this far, and I'm here to help you go much farther...
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Depression, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Codependency, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Divorce and Separation, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Isolation / Loneliness, Midlife Crisis, Money and Financial Issues, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Self-Love, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Somatization, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
AZ LPC LPC-19832
WI LPC 6503-125
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Barbara "BJ" Wagner. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Barb is patient and kind. She offers a wealth of knowledge and strategies that do help. I appreciate her timely responses when I do text and that she holds her scheduled appointments with no excuses.
Written on Sep 07, 2022 after therapy with Barbara "BJ" for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related issues
It is amazing to me how on the days when I seem like I am spinning and just blabbing dream on consciousness, somehow BJ finds key points, clarity, and strategy for action in what to me is a jumbled mess. Her insights are timely, helpful, and supportive and I have made significant progress in my journey because of her help. I cannot recommend her enough!!
Written on Aug 31, 2022 after therapy with Barbara "BJ" for 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, coping with life changes, and coaching
BJ has truly been amazing to work with! I could tell shortly into our interaction that it was a good fit. Finding the right counselor to work with makes all the difference!
She is patient, actively listens, takes notes to be sure she doesn't miss important details, and provided me information/support to further work through or learn about topics we were addressing with my therapy. She offered very good insight and analysis on what I was going through and experiencing. She supported me as well as challenged me to work through issues at my pace and encouraged me along the way. Stayed on track with helping me to work towards my therapy goals. She works from a holistic perspective and I definitely felt it was something that helped me to connect with her even more as that is important to me.
I will definitely reach out to BJ again in the future should I again require a counselor!
Written on Oct 18, 2021 after therapy with Barbara "BJ" for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and family conflicts
I've been working with B.J. for a year now, and it has truly changed my life. This is the first time I've really felt like a therapist has really "got it." I never connected with any therapists I had before B.J., and I never had breakthroughs and "a ha" moments like I have with her. She has helped me understand myself and the way I move through the world in a way I never could have done on my own. She makes me feel so comfortable, understood, and seen, and I cherish our sessions and the progress I've made and all the personal growth I've experienced while working with her. I even quit smoking! I am so grateful to have been matched with B.J., and I couldn't recommend her as a counselor more.
Written on Jul 23, 2021 after therapy with Barbara "BJ" for 11 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
BJ is excellent.
Written on Jun 11, 2021 after therapy with Barbara "BJ" for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, and parenting issues
She has been the best match for me. So patient with me.
Written on Aug 21, 2020 after therapy with Barbara "BJ" for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes
