Dr. Barrett Kern
------ Licensed Clinical Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Dr. Barrett Kern, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, is a warm and passionate in-office and online therapist in Chicago who specializes in the treatment of adults experiencing problems related to mood and anxiety, problems in relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners, difficulty navigating non-normative relationship styles, issues with self-esteem and life fulfillment, and problems caused by traumatic experiences and difficult childhoods, as well as more severe mental health problems, such as mania, psychosis, self-harm, and schizophrenia.
Areas of Expertise
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Mood, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Trauma, Self-Harm, Psychosis, Substance Use, Sexuality, Relationship & Adjustment Issues
Dr. Kern’s therapy style is tailored to fit each client’s needs and personality. She has experience with and frequently utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) techniques. Her overall style is person-centered, compassionate, and respectful. Dr. Kern is LGBTQIA+ friendly, gender affirming, and sex positive.
Dr. Kern was born and raised in Chicago. She completed her doctoral training at Roosevelt University, downtown. Her pre-doctoral internship was at Northeast Florida State Hospital, a long-term inpatient care setting, where her training was trauma-focused. Dr. Kern’s postdoctoral training was completed at University of Chicago, where she focused on clinical assessment and working with adults with severe mental illness. Much of Dr. Kern’s training and experience has centered around marginalized individuals, those experiencing poverty and homelessness, as well folks experiencing problems related to substances. Additionally, she has a long history of conducting research investigating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.
A note from Barrett:
I am genuinely honored every time a person trusts me enough to tell me their story and what is going on inside themselves. This can be such a difficult thing for a person to do, and I want to provide them with the best care I possibly can. I believe every person deserves the chance to feel content with their life and to feel at peace. Being a therapist is the thing I would do even if I won the lottery tomorrow (though I might sleep in considerably later)! When I’m not practicing therapy, I’m usually outside enjoying the lakefront, trying out a new recipe to cook, or relaxing by watching whatever looks good on Netflix.I absolutely love animals, and I have four cats (Icky, Rory, Steven, and Nico- and yes I will show you pictures of them if you ask)!
While her office is located in downtown Chicago next to Millenium park for in-person sessions, she also welcomes and serves clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, South Loop, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Logan Square, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more.