Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
mindfulness-based, trauma-informed, integrated therapy approach to healing
Get to know Barbie
Hi there, I am Barbie, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and a Life Coach. A divorced, Jewish, mom of three, who went back to graduate school to do her Masters in Counselling Psychology at 60. I have two LGBTQ+ identified kids, three inlaw kids, and am the mom of a survivor of sexual assault. My daughters sexual assault case made history in the justice system being the first case in North America to conclude with restorative justice, mandated by the court. I continue today to bring restorative beliefs and practices into my work.
I bring life experiences that have shaped me. My journey has brought passion to practice intersectional feminism, and support to those navigating trauma. I challenge ageism, and the idea that life has any kind of timeline.
I bring a holistic and integrated approach to my therapeutic space. I believe deeply in the power of story; what led us to where we are today, and the impact. With the belief that it is never too late to start a new chapter, I am here to explore your story with you, to reframe unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, and to build perspectives and tools needed to create your next chapters with fulfilment, purpose, and joy.
If I ever write the story of my life, there will be a blank page between each chapter. This is where I meet my clients. In the space between; where we walk back to find the roots of stories told, where we allow time to process, to offer some edits, tweeks, and rewrites, and to lay the foundation for the chapters they wish to write next. A reclamation of voice, value, and worth, with a mindfulness-based and trauma-informed approach.
I look forward to getting to know You!
How Barbie works ~
Rooted in mindfulness-based, trauma-informed, and humanistic values, Barbie brings a feminist and restorative approach to nurture self-acceptance, awareness, and empowerment, as she walks with clients through life transitions. With the belief that each holds within them the story that brought them to this moment, Barbie meets her clients where they are, and walks alongside them to heal old wounds, claim strength and resilience, and create their path forward.
Barbie meets her clients in the space between chapters; where early experiences are processed, meaning is found, and perspective shifts are created. With safety, compassion and non-judgement, Barbie nurtures acceptance and empowered self-love with clients ready to create their most gorgeous next chapters
Barbie brings experience in modalities that include Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Energy Healing, and Restorative practice. Her therapeutic space creates a collaborative journey toward self-realization and wholeness from a feminist lens.
individual therapy
Imagine a space where you feel heard, seen, and believed. Where your feelings of anxiety, overwhelmed, or uncertainty have their time to be processed. Imagine feeling safe and validated.
I know, life can be a lot at times. Taking next steps can be challenging; the courage you bring to being here is your first! Welcome to my space. Here we create a welcoming, supportive, and empathic environment. I offer a mindfulness-based, trauma-informed, eclectic approach to healing anxiety, trauma, and the challenge of life transitions. I walk alongside my clients as we nurture self-awareness and acceptance of all aspects of Self.
In a space that brings safety, compassion, and non-judgement, I work with clients to release shame, relieve distress, and walk toward empowered resilience. We hold compassion to your story as you dig to find roots of negative beliefs, thoughts, and behaviours, and begin to plant seeds for a new narrative.
We all have a story that led us to where we are today. I am here, to explore that story with you, to reframe unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, and to build perspectives and tools needed to create your next chapters with fulfilment, purpose, and joy. Reach out today, let your next chapter begin now. You deserve it! Available both virtually or in person.
BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY!
Restorative Justice
In 2016 Barbie’s daughter was raped. In 2019 hers became the first sexual assault case in North America to conclude with Restorative Justice, where Barbie, her daughter and 5 others met in an 8 hour RJ circle, face to face with the her assailant.
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Barbie advocates for Restorative Justice and offers heartfelt discussion, provides education on the premise and principles of RJ and its healing benefits, both in the punitive system and in our daily lives.
She shares about our punitive system and speaks with passion about how their circle brought together healing and justice. She shares how it looked deeply into patriarchal damage, and offered validation and empowerment to her voice.
Barbie offers thought provoking evidence and opportunity for mindset shift. She shares ways in which we can replace cycles of hurt, with opportunity for healing and transformation. She offers how we can create change rather than perpetuate repeated patterns.
Barbie brings enlightenment to forgiveness and compassion as catalysts to change, leaving people with feelings of hope and possibility. She brings lightness to what would seem dark and allows people to walk away feeling hopeful and ready to be part of the change we wish to see.
Barbie shares in speaking events, 1~1 Coaching and group settings.
ANTI~Anti~Aging
Barbie is ANTI~Anti~Aging
She coaches and advocates for the reclamation of the Wise Woman Archetype and the celebration of the power and voice of our older generations.
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In thought provoking conversation, Barbie shares through story, how her experience of secondary trauma after her daughter was raped ultimately led to her launching her ANTI~Anti-Aging Movement.
Looking deeply into internalized societal messages and their impact on individual and collective levels, Barbie was ultimately led to a heightened awareness of the damaging anti~aging messages and the impact on society.
Barbie brings awareness to the ways in which anti~aging messages run deeper than skin level. She offers conversation on how absorbed narratives have led to fear and denial, rather than celebration and pride. She offers how this has created a lack of the Wise Woman Archetype in our society, and the cultural effects of her absence.
In mindshifting and empowering discussion, Barbie offers notions of potential and possibility, of visibility and value, as we undo societal messages and rewrite templates of what it means to get older. Allowing our older generations to walk with empowered pride into claiming our seats as Matriarchs of society, and to lead by empowered example for those who walk behind us.
Barbie is available for speaking, 1~1 Coaching, or group packages.
Featured On
TORONTO STAR | FORBES | THE WALRUS | SIRIUX XM | THE FEMALE QUOTIENT | THE GREAT CANADIAN WOMAN
Contact Barbie
Barbie works virtually and in person at the All of You Wellness Centre in Toronto
For more information on mindful, trauma-informed integrated therapy, and how to work with Barbie,
EMAIL: barbie@barbieliss.com