Gabrielle Barnes, MS, LCMHC-A

“Do you remember the happiest day of your life? What about the saddest? Do you ever wonder if sadness and happiness can be combined, to make a deep purple feeling, not good, not bad, but remarkable simply because you didn’t have to live on one side or the other?”

~ Ocean Vuong, On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous

“For a second, I forgot I was a bad bitch.”

~ Jessie Reyez

My Approach & Philosophy

My path to becoming a therapist has included many moments of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Worrying that my past was too dark, that my ADHD would cause others to view me as unprofessional, and that my sexual orientation wasn’t clear enough. But mostly, I felt pressure to have my healing tied up in a perfect bow to help you with yours.

I was stuck in a cycle of people-pleasing while replaying toxic cycles learned from childhood. Until, finally, I started choosing myself, listening to my gut & getting real in therapy.

I learned that healing is oftentimes messy. It can be fraught with tangled ends and false starts. But it all begins by finding a place to be authentic: to bring your truths, to cry, to laugh, to yell, ‘fuck!’

Therapy is a protected space to bring your full self.

Are you seeking a space to create healthier daily routines and begin to recognize your unique strengths? A safe space to hold you as you unpack unhealthy childhood patterns? A space to build bodily awareness of your emotions? Do you want to identify where oppressive systems are the problem, NOT you?

I utilize a client-centered approach where you are the guide and the knower. I am only there to witness you as you get to know yourself better. I want you to leave each session feeling lighter from sharing your whole self for once. You deserve it. You really do.

In my free time, you can find me cozied up on my couch, binge-watching Survivor with my pit rescue, Cayenne Pepper, and her menace of a brother and kitten, Morton Salt. I love playing on my all-women-identifying soccer team and making sad playlists to listen to on the Parkway. On a Sunday night, you can find me making (and messing up) New Orleans recipes for my partner. I’d like to say I do yoga every day, but that’s a big ole’ lie. Maybe one day though!

Specialities

I provide mental health counseling and therapy to help with:

• LGBTQIA+
• ADHD
• Adult Children of Alcoholics
• Codependency
• Attachment Styles
• Test Anxiety
• Perfectionism
• People Pleasing

Anxiety

• Depression
• Family & Relationship Conflict
• Young Adulthood

You Deserve to Feel Great.
I’m Here to Help.