Greetings!! My name is Luther Ray Barnes I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia with a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling.
I was born in Gloucester VA. My parents were not married. My mother lived in the Norfolk Area and already had two (2) children. She met my father while he was stationed in the Navy there. In an effort to assist her, my paternal grandparents legally adopted me and raised me in Biloxi MS. While growing up I spent time in the summers with my mother in Norfolk and my father in Chicago.
Growing up with my grandparents afforded me many opportunities especially with travel. During my childhood I had the opportunity to travel to many of our states and to travel to Canada a few times. While in college I had the privilege to travel to Belize and Guatemala. In my adulthood I have been to the Bahamas and Mexico. I love to travel and learn of different cultures. I have a list of places I plan to travel to which includes, England, Italy, and Greece to mention a few.
My undergraduate degree is in Accounting which I obtained from Xavier University in Louisiana. After working many years in the accounting field my drive for a job that would benefit me financially changed. I decided I wanted to change careers and work in an area that would provide me with the opportunity to be of more service to others, which is a great passion of mine. Having struggled with Alcohol Use Disorder for many years and overcoming it, I decided to return to school to get the educational background I needed to appropriately assist others who struggle with addiction. Thus, I decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling with Liberty University Online and I completed that degree in 1983. My next educational goal is to return to Liberty to pursue a Doctoral Degree Program in Counseling Education and Supervision.
Since graduation I have worked with the Fulton County Accountability DUI Treatment Court and now work with their Veterans Treatment Court and Drug Court in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. I have worked with individuals, couples, and families to include children and teens. I believe in looking closely into each individual I work with having the intent to provide a therapeutic approach that maximizes beneficial service for that individual rather than utilizing a stereotypical, "cookie-cutter" approach. Working with Fulton County has afforded the opportunity and experience to work with a multicultural population to include various races/ethnicities, genders, gender identities, ages, and homelessness.
Although I am familiar with and have utilized the various therapeutic approaches, I identify as a "CBT'er". I love Cognitive Behavioral Therapy because it motivates an individual to have awareness of faulty cognitions, values, and beliefs, to focus on the root causes of these, and to work on restructuring them. I believe if we change our perspective and worldview it changes our patterns of behaviors. Changing your thoughts will change your behavior; changing your behavior will change your life.
From early childhood, my grandparents and parents taught me [by example] to meet people where they are, to embrace them, accept them for who they are with no judgment, and at all costs look for the good in them. They further taught me never to tear anyone down but rather build them up. And this is who I have always been because of their example. As a professional counselor, I stand by one of our mantras which reflects these principles and that is: Do no harm. My greatest joy in life is to walk with others on their paths of overcoming substance dependency/disorder or any other unhealthy behaviors.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Coping with life changes, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Men's issues, Military and Veterans Issues, Post-traumatic stress, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing
GA LPC LPC010597
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Luther Barnes. 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.
Extremely respectful, helpful, and great at helping you come to your own conclusions about what's best for you.
Written on Aug 11, 2023 after therapy with Luther for 1 year and 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and depression
Luther has been an amazing therapist to work with. He listens well and provides great feedback, making the therapy feel a lot like a back and forth between people rather than the clinical feeling some therapy can feel like. Highly recommend.
Written on Feb 10, 2023 after therapy with Luther for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and anger management
Luther is the best! I would not have continued therapy if we weren’t highly compatible. I’m so glad I found him and have been helped by him.
Written on May 26, 2022 after therapy with Luther for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and coping with life changes
Only taking the time to do this review because Luther is awesome!!
Written on May 04, 2022 after therapy with Luther for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching
He has been great attentive and very responsive. I have slacked on my end he has been patient and very kind.
Written on Mar 03, 2022 after therapy with Luther for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, and addictions
Very attentive to my goals and needs. This is an amazing help!!!
Written on Dec 02, 2021 after therapy with Luther for 2 weeks on issues concerning addictions, and trauma and abuse