how i got here
my path to becoming a therapist came with imposter syndrome—wondering if my trauma was too messy, if my adhd made me unprofessional, or if my pan-ness was “enough.” i felt pressure to have my healing instagram-filtered & ready to post.
but when i stopped fixing everyone else, listening to my body, & getting real in therapy, i learned that healing isn’t picture perfect. it’s trying, giving up, & trying again. now, i show up messy, honest, & real—because that’s where the magic actually happens. & that’s what i want for you.
therapy style + credentials
casual but clinical.
you’ll feel like you’re with an old confidante who has a therapeutic lens, warmth, total empathy, resources, clear boundaries, inside jokes & intention. i’m directive but client centered—we’ll process what’s hard, set goals, & hold flexibility with grace for when life happens.
- gabrielle barnes, LCMHC, MS (she/her)
- serving north carolina residents (virtually only)
- ages 18+
- individual therapy (couples coming 2026)
things that make me human
what i’m drinking in session:
honey almond milk espresso & not enough water
favorite mid-work snack:
string cheese
latest tv show obsession:
dying for sex & overcompensating
latest podcast obsession:
the telepathy tapes (+ longtime fav: this american life)
favorite movies:
garden state & sinners
favorite songs:
“mythological beauty” by big thief & “i’m that girl” by beyoncé
last meal:
salmon avo roll & flamin’ hot cheetos
favorite animal:
girl pitties (specifically mine: cayenne pepper)
most likely to interrupt our session:
morton salt (orange cat) or poppy seed (gray cat)
my favorite way to procrastinate:
writing poetry in my notes app or juggling a soccer ball
enneagram:
4w3 with strong 8 features (sad girl but girl boss)
adhd superpower:
crisis situations & hyperfocus mode
favorite country:
vietnam (i lived in hanoi for a year—teaching english)
my job before therapy:
preschool teacher (hehe)
things you might be wondering
what does therapy look like with you?
therapy with me is client-centered, directive when needed, & grounded in compassion. we’ll laugh, cry, plan, & pause together.
do you bring in cultural or systemic awareness?
yes. i believe oppressive systems impact mental health. we name it & navigate it together.
what if healing doesn’t feel linear?
it usually isn’t. healing isn’t aesthetic. it’s messy, brave, & deeply personal.
is this a good space for neurodivergent or queer folks?
always. i welcome your whole self & celebrate it! neurodivergent, queer, questioning, perfectionist, feeler, overthinker, all of it.
are you going to challenge me?
with love, yes. i’ll help you name patterns & gently push back on old narratives keeping you stuck.
what if i don’t even know what i need yet?
that’s okay. we’ll figure it out together, with an exploratory mindset, not pressure.
