Barrie R. Wagner - Psy. D.

Kierland Business Center
15849 N. 71st St., Ste. 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

AZ Psychologist # 3268
TID: 20-324 2335

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Summary

My life experience of working as a mental health professional in both rural and metropolitan areas in six states have provided me with a view of each individual as a unique person with a complex contextual experience to be explored. My life journey has included parenting my own child, which I believe is helpful when assessing the dynamics of child/parent interactions. Many years in the community mental health and educational service fields has better equipped me for untangling the dynamics of the environment versus the client’s internal intricacies.

My compassion for helping the person as a whole, with individual qualities and gifts, is extremely satisfying as a professional. I believe there are keys the individual possesses to unlock their potential. Sometimes the individual or family needs a compassionate and caring professional to help them use the key when they are ready.

Special interests

• The solution focused and conservative application of resources as they relate to child custody and family forensic court issues is, in my view, extremely important. Each family presented to me is considered to be unique and their issues are treated in individual ways.
• My use of art therapy techniques when interacting with young children and sometimes families is provided in my treatment when anxiety levels are high and creative paths are needed to allow emotional expression. I have been formerly trained in the visual arts and occasionally utilize my own art studio. The visual arts mediums as well as games and play therapy techniques have been part of my repertoire for many years.
• Adolescents have been a demographic group of interest to me throughout my career as a K to 12 teacher in regular and alternative school settings. Working with adolescent girls and boys is challenging and rewarding to me as a clinician. Balancing the needs and expectations of the family, academic settings, and the future young adult; is an area that I have been successful with.
• Coping with stress related to financial changes, career issues, and changes in the economy is an area of special interest for me. I utilize a combination of bibliotherapy, coaching, motivational strategies and positive reinforcement to help adults of all ages and adolescents make real life changes that stand the test of time to better their lives.
• Marital, premarital, couples and relationship issues are a special area of interest to me. I utilize techniques designed to fit the specific presentation of the couple and offer sessions of up to three hours if needed. Sessions can be conducted in the couples home and/or on weekends in order to increase the chances of success and increase my awareness of the particular environmental qualities unique to the couple or individual.
• Weight loss coaching and body image issues can be especially problematic for many people. I enjoy helping my clients with their goals by coaching them, providing support and utilizing proven methods to obtain consistent results. Emotional overeating can be addressed in an atmosphere that finally allows the client to make life long healthy eating decisions and exercise or movement integration.
• Pets are a wonderful addition to a household. At times there are significant struggles regarding the care and training of a pet companion. Although I am not a dog trainer, my background includes long term experience in the field. Referrals to written material and other professionals as well as guidance in the therapy office has been a consistent solution for most couples attempting to cope with pet issues.

Family work, whether nuclear family issues or patterns of negative behavior linked to extended family tendencies, is very exciting and challenging to me. My first “job” as a family therapist was in 1990. I was able to train (post masters) with some exceptional providers, such as Braulio Montalvo.

Commitment to timely and effective services is of utmost importance to me. I am available to my clients in emergent situations and have flexibility in scheduling (including weekends and evenings) when a crisis arises. Please view the following link to my curriculum vita for a detailed history of my experience and training.