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About Kassandra Barry, LCSW-C, LICSW, CTP

Founder of Be Heard Live Well and Trauma Therapist Specializing in Relationship Trauma & EMDR in Maryland, Virginia, and DC

Have you been carrying the pain from relationships that were supposed to feel safe but didn’t?

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Maybe the hurt came from family members who ignored your feelings or weren't emotionally present.
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 even after the relationship ends. They describe feeling:

  • Hard on themselves and never “good enough.”

  • Fearful of abandonment or rejection

  • Emotionally closed off, numb, or shutting down

  • Like it's their fault if someone is upset

  • Attached to people too quickly because they don't want to be alone

  • Angry and resentful, unable to get over past hurt

  • Guilty for saying “no” or putting themselves first

  • Lack of identity or sense of self, lost, or unsure of what is right for them

 

If any of 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 putting others' needs ahead of their own

  • Low self-worth, self-doubt, and low confidence

  • Emotional shutdown, anger, or hypervigilance

 

I use a person-centered and trauma-informed approach. I also incorporate EMDR and other effective methods to provide specialized care.

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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I also received EMDR therapy and was amazed by how well and how quickly it worked. I was able to sleep better and focus more on my work, relationships, and taking care of myself. I felt more confident, especially when it came to making good decisions for myself. I no longer felt like I had to constantly watch over my shoulder or worry about what could happen next. I completed my own EMDR therapy to work through relationship trauma. It truly was life-changing.

 

When I started EMDR, I knew what the issues were, but I had no idea how to make things better. It was just too overwhelming for me to figure out. There were a few things I tried to do to feel better and move forward, but nothing seemed to give me what I needed. 

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EMDR gave me insight into how things unfolded throughout my life. I recognized the patterns in myself and others in my life and how all of that affected me. With that, I was able to make meaningful changes in my life, and things got better. The most significant change for me was letting go of what did not serve me and making room for the things that did. Sure enough, I started feeling better about myself and being genuinely happy. 

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I know how it can feel to reach out for help. It puts you in a vulnerable spot. It's uncomfortable, even scary for some. I know I felt that way.


It's not easy to open up and share things that make us feel angry, ashamed, embarrassed, guilty, or sad. We often fear judgment or that it won't be worth it. 

 

I also know that it is, in fact, worth it. I know the relief that comes from being heard without judgment or minimization. And I know that after that comes the part where you start to live well. 

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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 down-to-earth, genuine, and trustworthy.

 

You won’t find excessive clinical jargon or labels here.
Our sessions feel like real conversations, not lectures or me hearing myself talk. 

 

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 jumping into discussing anything you are not ready to discuss. I don't need to know all the details, but you can tell me if you feel you need to. 

 

Healing happens best when you know you have a say in your own treatment and when you feel safe.

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. It helps people process painful memories, making them less intense emotionally.

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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 2021. I have extensive experience working with adults healing from trauma, abandonment, and toxic relationships.

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Before starting my practice, I spent:

  • 8 years on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team for a community mental health center

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

 

My previous experience allowed me to learn a lot about trauma and how it affects people throughout their lives. I gained a lot of insight into the difficulties many people face and how they adapt to survive. 

Desk in home office by window

Who I Work With

I work with adults who live in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, 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)

When I am not in therapist-mode, 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 at home, and even though they think they own the place, they won't disrupt our sessions. 

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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