Hi! My name is Deirdre and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Florida. I’m a therapist and I can honestly state, with my whole heart, that I LOVE what I do. I am so grateful that technology gives us the ability to do just that- to connect for therapy via betterhelp!
I’ve been described as warm, patient, pragmatic, and non-judgmental. My goal is to empower people to heal, acknowledge their worth, and make sustainable changes leading towards happiness. You could think of me as your “guide for the ride.” I use different approaches in therapy depending upon an individual client’s needs and preferences, but I find myself using techniques from CBT, DBT, EMDR, RRT, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and narrative therapy most often. I am more than willing to help you address any trauma history, but always at your own pace and on your terms. I have formal EMDR training through HAP (Humanitarian Assistance Programs). I am also an adoption competent therapist.
I have the most experience providing individual therapy in outpatient settings to adults of all ages. However, as a life-long learner I am willing to explore new situations, topics, etc. I am comfortable and confident in addressing co-occurring disorders as I understand and accept that having mental health issues with substance abuse issues is often the “expectation, not the exception.”
I completed a dual-degree program at USF (University of South Florida) so I actually have two master degrees, one in social work and the other in public health, with a concentration in maternal and child health. I passed an exam following the public health component of my education so I am also a certified public health professional. Prior to graduate school, I attended Tulane University in New Orleans. I majored in sociology (coordinate major in social policy and practice). I minored in English.
Thanks for taking the time to check out this bio and for considering therapy. Congratulations on taking that brave first step. If you think we would make a good fit, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to talking with you soon!
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Adoption and Foster Care, Attachment issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Fertility Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Immigration Issues, Mood disorders , Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Traumatic Brain Injury, Women's issues, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
FL LCSW SW16279
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Deirdre Barr. 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.
This is my first productive experience with counseling. I share my referral link a couple times a month. It has made that much of an impact on my life.
Written on Dec 22, 2021 after therapy with Deirdre for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Deirdre is very supportive and compassionate. She is very concerned with going at the pace I feel comfortable at, and very caring about my struggles in my past. In a way, she opens my eyes to my accomplishments and new insights that I either don’t fully realize or downplay. She is awesomesauce. :)
Written on Apr 20, 2021 after therapy with Deirdre for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, and adhd