Irene Barber, Intern

My path toward counseling has been shaped by my own experiences of transition, loss, relationship, and healing, as well as a longstanding curiosity about what helps us make meaning of our lives. Along the way, I’ve explored these questions through psychological, spiritual, philosophical, and contemplative traditions. Over time, I’ve come to understand that we often find meaningful change through connection with someone who can meet us with genuine presence, curiosity, and compassion.

My approach to counseling is relational, collaborative, and person-centered. I won’t assume I know what is best for you. Instead, we’ll become curious together about your experiences, relationships, patterns, and the parts of yourself asking for greater understanding or care. I believe you already carry wisdom about your own life, even when circumstances, old wounds, or difficult experiences make that wisdom harder to access.

I’m especially drawn to working with people navigating life transitions, identity, relationships, grief, and questions of meaning or purpose. My work is informed by relational and humanistic approaches, mindfulness, somatic awareness, and transpersonal psychology. I also deeply value the meaning and insight people find through religion, spirituality, and contemplative practice, and welcome these dimensions into our work when they are meaningful to you.

Choosing to come to therapy can ask something vulnerable of us. It can mean allowing ourselves to be seen when we don’t have everything figured out, and turning toward experiences we may have spent a long time trying to understand or avoid. My goal is to offer a compassionate, grounded relationship where you can understand yourself more deeply, reconnect with what matters, and find your own way forward.