Teresa Barnes, PhD

Class of 2021: PhD in Clinical Social Work

Current Residence: Loves Park, IL

I received my PhD from the Institute for Clinical Social Work in June 2021. It was a long journey for me because I began my doctoral studies at ICSW in 2007. During my time at ICSW, I learned how to grow and be confident in my clinical skin. Prior to that, my experience was limited to schools, hospitals, and agency work. Those settings only allowed me to address the what but not the why. As a student of ICSW, I gained clinical insight that not only informed my work, but gave me the confidence to manage wordless experiences with clients.

Although bittersweet, I believe that my clinical training at ICSW has prepared me to be the clinical scholar for today's professional landscape of mental health. I owe this to Dr. Paula Ammerman who tirelessly came alongside me to pull out the clinician who I did not know I could be. This training set the blueprint for the type of clinical supervisor I have become.

I also owe gratitude to Dr. John Ridings. As my chair, I will never forget his advocacy, believing in my work from the beginning. I will never forget his commitment to seeing the completion of my dissertation to the end.

I am founder and owner of Restorative Place, PLLC located in Colorado and Illinois, providing holistic treatment that includes psychotherapy, nutritional consultation, clinical consultation, and support for other treatment providers. "Healing the Healer" has become my brand and I am solely focused on providing a holding environment for those who are holding environments for others. I am also an international speaker and most recently, I co-authored an international bestselling book called: Voices of the 21st Century: Women Empowered through Passion and Purpose. My chapter, "Mothering the Child Within", addresses how as a mother who is also a therapist, I had to learn how to mother my own mind. My story, along with the riveting stories of my co-authors, will captivate and inspire. Kindle and paperback copies are available on Amazon but customized and autographed copies of my book (my name on the cover and my bio) can only be purchased through me and/or my website at www.restorativeplace.com