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About Kassandra Barry, LCSW-C, LICSW, CTP

Trauma Therapist Specializing in Relationship Trauma & EMDR in Maryland, Virginia, and DC

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re carrying pain from relationships that were supposed to feel safe—but didn’t.

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Maybe the hurt came from family members who minimized your feelings or never showed up emotionally.
Maybe it came from friendships that ended in betrayal.
Maybe it came from romantic relationships that left you doubting your worth, your judgment, or your ability to trust again.

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Many of the adults I work with feel stuck in painful relationship patterns long after the relationship itself has ended. They describe feeling:

  • Hard on themselves and never “good enough”

  • Afraid of abandonment or rejection

  • Emotionally guarded or shut down

  • Overly responsible for others’ feelings

  • Anxious, attached too quickly, or terrified of being alone

  • Angry, resentful, or stuck in the past

  • Guilty for saying “no” or prioritizing themselves

  • Lost when it comes to identity, direction, or purpose

 

If this sounds familiar, I want you to know something important:

These reactions are not personal flaws. They are trauma responses.

And they are treatable.

Therapist standing by tree

My Name Is Kassandra Barry, and I Specialize in Relationship Trauma Therapy

I’m a licensed psychotherapist and the owner of Be Heard Live Well LLC, a virtual trauma therapy practice serving adults across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

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I specialize in helping adults heal from:

  • Relationship trauma

  • Attachment trauma and fear of abandonment

  • Trauma from emotionally abusive or manipulative relationships

  • Childhood emotional neglect

  • People-pleasing and chronic self-sacrifice

  • Low self-worth and persistent self-doubt

  • Emotional shutdown, anger, or hypervigilance

 

My work is grounded in trauma-informed care, with a strong focus on EMDR therapy and nervous-system healing.

Holding hands

A Therapist Who Has Sat on the Other Side of the (Virtual) Couch

What drives me to do this work comes from personal experience.

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Years ago, I was the client sitting in the chair—carrying relational wounds that affected my confidence, choices, and sense of safety. I completed my own EMDR therapy to process relationship trauma, and it was genuinely life-changing.

 

For the first time, I didn’t just understand my patterns intellectually.
My body finally felt safe enough to let them go.

That experience shaped how I practice today.

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I know how vulnerable it can feel to reach out for help.
I know the fear of opening up.
And I know the relief that comes from being truly heard without judgment or minimization.

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That’s why I founded Be Heard Live Well in 2023.

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The name reflects my core belief:
You deserve to be heard — and you deserve to live well.

Couch by window

Trauma Therapy That Meets You Where You Are

In my work, I strive to be grounded, authentic, and approachable.

 

You won’t find excessive clinical jargon or labels here.
Our sessions feel like real conversations — not lectures.

 

I take time to understand:

  • What brings you to therapy

  • What you’ve been carrying

  • What do you want to change

  • What safety looks like for you

 

We move at your pace.
There’s no rushing into deep trauma processing before trust is built.

 

Healing happens best when your nervous system feels safe — and creating that safety is always the first priority.

Silhouette at sunset

Why I Specialize in EMDR and Trauma-Focused Therapy

Relationship trauma lives in the body, not just the mind.

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That’s why talk therapy alone often isn’t enough.

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I specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based trauma therapy that helps process painful memories so they lose their emotional intensity.

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EMDR allows your nervous system to update its understanding of the past:
The danger is no longer happening.
You are safe now.
You have choices.

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In addition to EMDR, I integrate:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Psychodynamic approaches

 

These methods are blended intentionally and tailored to you — not forced into a one-size-fits-all model.

Water and sunset

What Healing Looks Like in My Practice

Clients I work with often come in feeling:

  • Guarded

  • Anxious

  • Self-critical

  • Emotionally exhausted

  • Afraid they’ll never fully heal

 

Over time, they begin to experience:

  • Increased self-trust and confidence

  • Secure attachment instead of fear of abandonment

  • Stronger boundaries without guilt

  • Less emotional reactivity

  • Relief from intrusive memories

  • A clearer sense of identity

  • Freedom from people-pleasing

  • Calm instead of constant vigilance

 

This work isn’t about becoming numb or detached.

 

It’s about becoming secure.

Flower by window with white curtains

My Education, Training, and Licensure

I hold:

  • A Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boise State University

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Management from the University of Phoenix

  • An Associate’s Degree in Human Services with a Mental Health concentration from the Community College of Rhode Island

 

I am:

  • Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in Maryland

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Virginia and Washington, DC

  • A certified trauma therapist with specialized EMDR training

 

I began my career as a psychotherapist in 2020 and have extensive experience working with adults healing from trauma, abandonment, and toxic relationships.

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Before private practice, I spent:

  • 8 years on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team

  • 10 years working in residential programs for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs

 

These experiences deeply shaped my trauma-informed lens and respect for resilience.

Desk in home office by window

Who I Work With

I work exclusively with adults through virtual therapy in Maryland, Virginia, and DC.

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I am a good fit if you’re struggling with:

  • Relationship trauma

  • Fear of abandonment

  • Attachment anxiety

  • People-pleasing

  • Emotional shutdown or anger

  • Low self-worth

  • Healing after abusive relationships

  • Difficulty trusting yourself or others

Silhouette of people outside during sunrise

A Little About Me (The Human Side)

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and baking as a way to unwind — especially while listening to classic rock from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.

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I also enjoy walking and hiking to clear my head.

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I have two cats who occasionally make brief appearances during virtual sessions. They believe the office belongs to them — but I promise they won’t run the session.

Beautiful woman with flower in hair
Ready to Begin?

Whether you’re just starting to consider therapy or ready to do deeper trauma work, you don’t have to do this alone.

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I offer free 15-minute consultations so you can:

  • Ask questions

  • Share what’s going on

  • See if we’re a good fit

  • Decide without pressure

 

If you’re in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, and looking for trauma therapy to heal from relationship wounds, I’d be honored to support you.

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You deserve to feel safe.
You deserve to feel confident.
You deserve to live well.

For Therapists and Clinicians

I also offer supervision and consultation for therapists seeking thoughtful, trauma-informed support in their clinical work. Whether you’re pursuing licensure, expanding your EMDR skills, or navigating complex cases, our work together is collaborative, reflective, and grounded in ethical care.

Read From the People I Have Worked With

For details about fees, insurance, and payment policies,

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