Jennifer Barker , LPC

Jennifer Barker is an art therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor who brings creative expression into the counseling process to help people work through difficult emotions and life changes. Trained to use artmaking as a therapeutic tool, she supports clients who find nonverbal forms of expression helpful when words alone do not capture their experience. Her practice emphasizes a person-centered and strength-based approach that meets individuals where they are and fosters gradual change and healing.

She completed a Master of Arts in Art Therapy with a Specialization in Counseling from Seton Hill University in 2014. In addition to holding the LPC credential - Licensed Professional Counselor - she is Board-Certified and Registered as an Art Therapist (ATR-BC), a designation that signals advanced training in art therapy methods and standards. Barker also has experience with trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and crisis intervention. Combining these approaches with art-based techniques, she helps clients explore feelings, increase self-awareness, and develop practical skills for coping and growth.

Integrating Therapeutic Approaches in Online Care

Jennifer Barker draws from client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy to guide online work in a way that fits each person's needs. Client-centered therapy focuses on building a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship and supporting clients as they explore their own goals and values - it is helpful for people seeking empathy, validation, and self-directed growth. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves identifying thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to distress and learning practical strategies to shift them - it can be useful for anxiety, depression, and habit change. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness - it is often applied when strong emotions or relationship challenges interfere with day-to-day functioning.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Barker works with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and then tailors techniques so the therapy feels useful and manageable. The online format supports that flexibility by offering multiple ways to connect. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction, phone sessions provide a simpler option when screen time is limited, and live chat or text-based messaging can offer ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to fit consistent care into a busy life and to continue therapy from different locations when needed.