Lisa Smith Barrow , MA, MAC, LPC, LCDC
Director of Addiction and Substance Abuse Services
Counselor
"Listening is rare. There are certain people we meet to whom we feel we can talk because they have such a depth capacity for hearing; not hearing words only but hearing us as a person. We shall never truly know ourselves unless we find people who can listen, who can enable us to emerge, to come out of ourselves, to discover who we are. We cannot discover ourselves by ourselves." -- Margaret Madeline
I believe every person owns an unique and authentic story. My primary motivation in counseling is the opportunity to see my clients utilize their own unique and personal experiences in a way that positively impacts their future and life goals.
My hope is to provide a safe place for individuals to openly and honestly work though the complicated realities of their past and their present, assist them in cultivating hope for their futures, and support them as they work to experience desired transformation in their hearts, minds and stories. We work together to unveil unique passions, explore value systems and address potential obstacles—mindfully leading clients to a richer, more satisfying life.
Though much of my clinical experience has been in the realm of addiction recovery, I have also worked consistently with adolescents and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, tauma-related issues, marital and family issues, and complexities of mental health issues.
For several years, I have practiced as a therapist for inpatient and outpatient treatment that specializes in addiction recovery and moderate psychiatric issues. Through this role, I was able to walk alongside clients as they reclaimed their lives while witnessing first-hand both the arduous struggles of co-occuring diorders involving addiction and it's effects on mental health, both for the client and his or her entire family. I have worked with various types of addictions and their devestating affects on Family Systems. What I have learned is that no situation is hopeless where openness, honesty and willingness is present. People do recover. Change is possible.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of North Texas with an empahsis on psychology and sociology. I also I earned my Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2009 from University of North Texas. I am licensed in by the State of Texas a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. I hold a specialized certification through NAADAC as a Master's Addiction Counselor. In addition, I am trained in EMDR to address client's trauma issues.
