Carol Barnhart

I partner with individuals and couples across the lifespan - ranging from ‘Ōpio ages 14 and up to Kūpuna who need extra support and connection as they navigate the obstacles that life presents them with.

Whether you need short-term guidance through a difficult chapter in your life, or intensive support to master skills you never thought were possible, my diverse background with different mental health needs equips me to help you navigate your journey. In all that I do, I do with a trauma-informed lens and with the knowledge that my clients know themselves best.

While I specialize in working with youth and adolescents who face a wide variety of needs (whether it is anxiety, depression (with or without self harm; with or without suicidal ideations), ADHD, oppositional or conduct behaviors, and more), this specialized experience has given me the skills and knowledge to work through conflicts in relationships (whether peer, romantic, or family), as well as with complex family systems with individuals of any age.

I have four years of social work experience - three of which have been specializing in behavioral health within the school setting. My background spans crisis intervention and safety planning, supporting behaviors at home and in the school setting, individual and group behavioral health treatment, and family stabilization which gives me a grounded and deeply compassionate foundation to build this partnership with you. I have specialized knowledge in trauma, sexual violence prevention, suicide prevention, and in de-escalation strategies.

I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my practice, which has been the roots of my clinical work. CBT is a research-backed modality that works for a variety of mental health concerns. I am actively working towards Certification in Theoretical Foundations of CBT via the Beck Institute.

I am a DBT-informed clinician as I have completed specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children and Adolescents - learning how to effectively modify these strategies originally created for adult use for use with younger populations. I am not a full-model DBT practitioner but see the effectiveness incorporating DBT skills with clients I work with.

In addition to the above, I have experience in using Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and at times will integrate Art Therapy into my clinical practice. I truly believe different types of art can be healing.

I am a strong believer in the mind and body connection, and have plans to incorporate Somatic Therapy and Polyvagal Therapy in my future practices. Please continue to look back for updates on where I am with this journey.

I am an “Army Brat”, current military spouse, and mom to three. I will be the first to say there is NO handbook for navigating life, being a partner, or being a parent. It can be much more difficult without community and connection. I am an animal lover, pet mommy, and will occasionally Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) in the community I live in as a way to help with the feral cat population.

I love reading, going to the beach (though I would not claim to be “outdoorsy”), and music of all kinds. While I am a lover of music, I am a STAY (fan) of the K-Pop group Stray Kids. My favorite movie is The Greatest Showman. Due to my love of music, I sing my heart out though I do not have the voice to do so in public.