Grace Counseling

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Ms. Backes met with my former husband and did not meet with me. Based on speaking with him alone she advised him that he had been psychologically and emotionally abused throughout our marriage. There WERE communication issues for certain. Our children thought we were perfect for one another because we never fought! We did not communicate well. I sought counseling as well, through a different counselor, one who had met with both of us in the past. I learned what communication we did have was not constructive. My former husband did not like confrontation, even normal disagreement, and I was frustrated and felt emotionally starved. We didn't have an intimate relationship. We were basically roommates and co-parents. Although I believe the outcome was correct I question Barbara's abilities. I believe a counselor does a disservice in making a diagnosis on a relationship without seeking to learn both stories, and to speculate on an individual without meeting with the person is unethical. Our relationship did not have a chance because both people were not committed and both were not willing to put in the work required. Marriage is an endurance event. My former husband had anxiety issues long after our separation (and actually before we ever met)which Barbara attributed to abuse. I think perhaps divorce, bankruptcy, and foreclosure may have had some bearing on his anxiety. We had long since been apart. I wish him the best and hope he will not live the remainder of his life feeling like a victim. That's no way to move forward...

Barbara is a very gifted and talented individual/professional. My husband and I have always had a good marriage but a few years ago we discovered some issues that we needed to deal with. We started seeing Barbara once a week and she helped us understand that we both had individual issues that we needed to work on because they were causing a lack of communication in our marriage. We were hiding addictive behaviors that needed to come out in the light so we could deal with them. Barbara spoke the biblical truth of God and helped us deal with the real root of our issues. Our insurance didn't cover marriage counseling but Barbara worked with us to establish a sliding fee payment that we could afford. Thank you Barbara! We will for ever be grateful!

My wife and I have been married for seven years and were going through very tough times and were about as close as it comes to going through a divorce. We gave Barbara a call as a last effert to save our marriage. So far we have been with her for about 4 months and things are turning around. If it weren't for Barbara we would not be where we are today. Thanks Barbara!

I am a late 40's man with 3 nearly grown children. After 20 years of an emotionally and psychologically abusive marriage I said enough. A year and a half after separation and a few months after the divorce was final, out of the blue I was having anxiety attacks, bouts of anger and I couldn't explain any of them. I'm a very easy going person and this was all foreign to me.I went to see Barbra at the recommendation of a friend and his wife who had fabulous results working with her to save their marriage. In discussing my situation we discovered that all the years of abuse resulted in trauma. Not only did she help me get past all the abuse, she helped me understand the why's and how's I let myself get involved with such a person. Knowledge is power and Barbra will coach you, teach you and help you get through AND get rid of the mess of your past.Barbra has turned pain and sadness into joy and living! She has taught me how to forgive my abuser and how to stand on my own two feet again the way we all were meant to from the beginning.She's the most compassionate, empathetic, intelligent, caring, loving and tough person I know. I credit Barbra with saving my life. Not only did she help me find me, but a better, stronger, more confident me!Call her. Why? Because she gets it. She's seen it all and has the wisdom and the patience to help you. She genuinely cares and you feel that from moment one. God bless Barbra Backes and her work!

We met with Barbara as a last resort, we were not talking at all. Barbara met with us together and separately and knew Exactly what we BOTH needed!! Our relationship is stronger than ever.