Clinical Member, American

Association of Marriage and

Family Therapists


5055 W. Park Blvd., # 400

Plano, Texas 75093

214-676-3324


Email:

barbara8944@icloud.com





WELCOME TO MY WEBSITE!

I’m a counselor, coach, and trainer in Plano, Texas.  I now practice 100% by HIPAA compliant videoconferencing to any resident in Texas.  Here at my site you'll find information about my telebehavioral health practice, treatment philosophy, specialties, and classes. 

My Counseling Philosophy and How I Work

In the past when clients entered my physical office they would see a soft green frog holding a magic wand. We often wish someone would touch us with a magic wand and fix our lives or change a problem person into a prince or princess.

Although I no longer have an office, the little frog sits on my desk next to my computer serving as a reminder that the magic is inside us and has been all along.                             

We can touch our lives with our own magic, create the life we want, and enjoy the resulting successes, good relationships, and mental health. Sometimes all we need to do is learn new ways to think, communicate, and act that we weren't exposed to as children.   

As we work together, we layer down to uncover the root causes of your problems. Using your current strengths, the new skills you'll learn, and your courage, you can resolve your difficulties. The methods I use may include cognitive therapy (thinking rationally), interpersonal therapy, The Gottman Method for relationships, assertiveness and communication skills training, relaxation and deep breathing techniques, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and when necessary a referral for a medication consultation. I also counsel people with medical illnesses and chronic pain assisting them to cope with these major life stressors. Sometimes I use relaxation and mindfulness techniques to help clients learn how to do things such as: reduce pain levels, lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and lower breathing rate. These methods can also reduce panic, anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms and improve symptoms of ADD/ADHD. I don’t work with substance abuse or other addictions. For you to benefit from my work, you need to be free from these and well into recovery first so that you have a clear mind and a recovered brain. Other therapists who specialize in addictions can help with these. I also do not do Workman’s Compensation cases, FMLA, court work or custody cases. I've been in practice for over 35 years and a trainer and speaker for local organizations, businesses, and other therapists. Some of the courses I’ve developed and taught include Adults Abused As Children, Assertive Communication, Behavioral Medicine for Fibromyalgia, Conflict Resolution, Couples Communication, Funny Business: Humor in the Workplace, Communication Skills for Managers and Supervisors, Relaxation and Meditation, Stress Management, Team Building, Understanding Depression. For a complete list, see the Training page. Specialties Anxiety, Depression, Grief Assertiveness and Communication Skills Relationship and Family Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Gottman Method and Relational Life Therapy Method Military Life, PTSD Coping Skills for Adult ADD/ADHD Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Relaxation and Mindfulness for Chronic Pain Management, Stress, Anxiety, Muscle Tension, Reduction of: Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Breathing Rate Cognitive Processing Therapy and Accelerated Resolution Therapy for PTSD Women’s Issues NOTE: I do not work with substance abuse or any addictions. I also do not do Workman’s Compensation cases, FMLA, court work or custody cases. Office Fees, Hours, Ages If you are not using insurance, my fees are $200 for a 90 minute evaluation and $150 for 50 minute sessions. I’m a provider for most major insurance plans and an out-of-network provider for all other plans. If you are using your insurance, your copayment will depend on the rate your mental health insurance plan sets. I f you don’t have insurance or choose not to use it, you have more flexibility and can schedule sessions that are longer than 50 minutes, you can come as often as you wish, and you are not subjected to a diagnosis as a requirement for insurance. Being semi-retired, I work Mondays through Thursdays. I start at 1:00. The last appointment is at 5:30. I work with adults from ages 19 to 100+. Insurance Information Your mental health insurance (also known as "behavioral health") works very differently from your medical plan. In addition, your Mental Health insurance company may be a different company than that of your medical insurance. Look on the back of your insurance card to find the telephone number for your mental health plan. Call them to obtain the information you will need in order to fill out forms prior to your first session. Mental health insurance requires that you, the patient, call the insurance company before scheduling an appointment to determine if you need to be pre-certified and if I’m a provider on your plan. Write down the pre-certification number to give to me so that I may file your claims. Ask how many sessions your pre-certification includes. You’ll also need to ask: how much your co-pay is, how much your deductible is, if you’ve met your deductible yet, and how many sessions you are allowed each year. If you haven’t met your deductible, ask how much is left to be met. If I’m not a provider on your plan, you can use your out of network benefits. Ask for the same information regarding pre-certification, copay, deductible, number of sessions, etc. when you go out of network. You may also choose not to use your insurance to protect your privacy and reduce the future possibility of being refused life or medical insurance. Mental health fees are tax deductible as medical expenses. Congress has approved LPC’S and LMFT’S to see Medicare clients beginning January 1, 2024 Licenses and Professional Affiliations Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 1829, Texas - LMFT Licensed Professional Counselor, 4127, Texas - LPC Clinical Member, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Certified Telebehavioral Health Practitioner from Telebehavioral Health Institute Education Bachelor of Science, University of North Texas Master of Science, East Texas State University, now Texas A & M in Commerce Over 5000 hours continuing professional, technical, post graduate education TRAINING.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0