Nina Barela, Clinical Director
Clinical Director
Nina (she/her) has over a decade’s worth of post-Master’s experience working in the mental health field including working with children and adults in crisis, individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and individuals with a history of trauma, anxiety and depression. She has extensive knowledge and experience with crisis intervention, trauma informed care, individual and group therapy, and effective treatment planning. Nina has worked with children, adolescents and adults who are survivors of trauma and abuse.
Nina began her behavioral health career providing services for women and children at a Domestic Violence shelter. During that time Nina worked with women and children survivors of interpersonal violence and provided individual and group therapy support and psychosocial groups, to transition individuals to a life free from abuse. Nina also served as interim Executive Director and designed and facilitated a community outreach program to offer access to individuals in need of social serving resources. Additionally, Nina adopted and co-facilitated the first child sexual abuse prevention program in the Cayman Islands and garnered funding to provide this training for free to community members, clergy, and educators.
After earning a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University, Nina worked with adults and children experiencing crisis and provided crisis de-escalation and individual therapy for adults and children with severe and persistent mental illness through Mobile Crisis and Crisis Walk-in Services. She also provided intensive individual and group therapy services to individuals with anxiety, depression and survivors of trauma at the therapeutic group placement level of care. In 2014, Nina qualified as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and completed specialized training in various trauma-focused therapy modalities.
Nina is a 2016 graduate of the Nonprofits First Rising Leaders program, where she learned to further develop her servant leadership skills and collaborate with other change-makers in the community.
In 2016 Nina joined the field of tele-mental health services. Nina supervised licensed clinicians in completing behavioral health assessments using tele-mental health technology, for individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis to determine diagnoses, treatment needs, resources, and level of care recommendations.
Nina is a certified Therapist in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing; and utilizes Polyvagal Theory, Ego State Interventions, Somatic EMDR interventions, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in her work with clients.
Nina is a Qualified Supervisor for Registered Mental Health Counselor interns and utilizes individual, triadic and group supervision. Nina provides case consultation, support and recommendations related to interventions and other materials as part of the supervision process. Case conceptualization is an important focus, enhancing the ability of the clinician-in-training to better understand the whole picture of the client. Adhering to ethical standards and providing optimal client care is prioritized, practiced and reinforced. Nina provides instruction on specific interventions to improve client care and treatment. Nina supervises from a supportive, consultant role to allow the clinician-in-training to grow into their own power and to gain self-efficacy. Nina proceeds in an emotionally supportive way to allow the clinician-in-training a safe space to discuss any challenges including countertransference or vicarious trauma.
Nina is an EMDR Consultant in Training and enjoys consulting with behavioral health professionals seeking EMDR Certification. Nina provides this service individually and in group format.
CREDENTIALS
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida MH12748
- Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia LPC 012645
- Telehealth permission to practice counseling in South Carolina
- Qualified Supervisor for Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns in FL
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Certified Therapist
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Consultant in Training
- Somatic EMDR Practitioner
- Trained in Ego State interventions and Polyvagal theory with a background in DBT, RRT, Trauma Focused CBT