Barbara Monett, LSCW

BarbaraMonettLCSW.com

Focus on Codependency, Addiction, Survivors of Emotional Manipulators ie) Narcissists, Sociopaths, Borderlines.

Part of getting a Master’s degree in Social Work requires 2 years of internship while attending school. My first year internship was working for Santa Cruz County in Adoptions and my second year was working for Janus drug and alcohol rehab center, also in Santa Cruz. I stayed at Janus for 7 years and was instrumental in starting and facilitating the Out Patient Intensive program, OPI, and Relapse Prevention Program. Since then, my interests have focused on addiction and mental illness, or dual diagnosis, and I worked with that population at our local Dominican Hospital for 3 years at Eldorado center. In 2004, I became aware of an under-served population,survivors of Narcicissts, Sociopaths and Borderline personality disorders. How did I become so curious? I was divorcing a man who, as it turned out, was a Narcissist and I didn’t have a clue as to how to deal or name the problem. I had to do my own research to finally find the answers. Most therapists, dr’s, friends, family don’t and can’t understand the inner torment and despair of dealing with someone with these disorders. I do. I lived it. I got out. I’m living my happiest life. I’m dedicated to helping others who find themselves where I was.

I am really inspired by my clients and align with their vision to coach and guide them to create the lives they say they want. Too many of us have not been given the encouragement and support to develop self compassion and self acceptance which is an essential ingredient to a happy life. It's no one's fault. People aren't perfect. They do their best, even if it seems as if they don't. However, If we refuse to love and forgive ourselves , how can we ever learn to forgive each other?

I wouldn't be able to do this work if I hadn't experienced my own story's pain, anger and heartache. It forced me to make a decision. Dig myself out or loose my spark altogether. After a lot of attempts, I was able to see a way to turn it all into lessons I could learn from if I could keep my mind open.

What had to happen? Instead of insisting that " they" had to change, I realized my thinking had to change. That takes a willingness that really pays off.

There's no greater pleasure than assisting others through this transformation.

www.barbaramonettlcsw.com