I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor located in Seattle where I received my counseling and art therapy degree from Antioch University. Before starting my private practice in Everett, Washington twenty years ago, I worked in community mental health as a Geriatric Mental Health Specialist. I treated clients living with chronic mental illness, particularly Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Dementia. My favorite duties of my job as a Day Treatment Coordinator were to help improve clients’ quality of life. I supervised a staff that created a community for people who might otherwise spend time alone and lonely. We also helped families cope with mental illness and find appropriate care for elderly family members.
In private practice, I have worked with adults, couples, families, and teens, much of it through Employee Assistance programs. This experience allowed me to work with a wide range of client issues including anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, workplace issues, and trauma. I have also worked with the LQBTQ community and their families.
Before becoming a therapist, I was and still am a visual artist. I use creativity, and humor, to develop a sense of curiosity and acceptance in my practice. Over the years, I have accumulated a large toolbox that I use to design my treatment plans to meet the individual needs of my clients. I encourage expression therapies, including journalling and art if clients are open to that. I have also worked with several artists, motivating them and helping them remove blocks to pursue their artistic expression.
Other therapeutic approaches I am experienced in include solution-focused therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt and Existential Therapy, and the Gottman relationship methods. Additionally, I have expanded my practice to include integrative medicine and nutrition for clients who prefer more holistic treatment options to learn how to live a healthy life at at any age.
I truly delight in helping clients realize and achieve their true potential. My real passion is to not only treat the symptoms that cause people to seek counseling but also to help inspire and empower them to discover their best selves and find the courage to follow their dreams.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Career difficulties, Compassion fatigue, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Communication problems, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Women's issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Jungian Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
WA LMHC LH00005122
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Barbara Skelly. 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.
She is really good at listening and help simplify problems I face in daily life.
Written on Jan 22, 2024 after therapy with Barbara for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, coping with life changes, and adhd
Barbara is awesome. She is very easy to talk to and offers Great advice. I just love her
Written on Jan 03, 2024 after therapy with Barbara for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and bipolar disorder
I value Barbara's experience as both a therapist and human. She has much to share and is so willing to support her clients. I also appreciate her light heart and positive attitude, even when dealing with heavy matters. Her approachability helps make the process something I look forward to.
Written on Nov 06, 2023 after therapy with Barbara for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coaching