Barbara Brookens-Harvey

Credentials

Barbara Brookens-Harvey, LMSW, IMH-E, III
Master’s in Social Work, University of Michigan
Infant Mental Heath Endorsement, Level III, Michigan Association of Infant Mental Health
RYT-200, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher Training

Services Offered

Therapeutic Yoga
Infant Mental Health
Psychotherapy

Barbara is honored and excited to bring her vast experience as both a clinical social worker and yoga practitioner together at Hygeia Center for Healing Arts. Barbara offers a variety of services to clients including: private yoga sessions, yoga for couples, psychotherapy blended with yoga guidance and practice, group yoga classes for health and healing, Infant Mental Health psychotherapy, and clinical social work with a focus on adjustment to pregnancy and parenting, pregnancy loss, infertility and adoption issues. Barbara believes that yoga, mindfulness, and the cultivation of joy and gratitude allows the body to move towards physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

Barbara’s Story

Barbara’s graduate coursework included advanced studies in clinical psychotherapy with individuals and families, developmental psychology, and attachment theory. During her graduate studies, Barbara was selected into a practicum with a concentration in Infant Mental Health, a program developed at the University of Michigan that promotes parent/infant bonding to support the optimal growth of the baby while supporting the woman’s positive adjustment to her role as a mother. Barbara successfully completed both her practicum and graduate studies with honors in 1991. Barbara has since worked as an Infant Mental Health Practitioner. In 2008 she earned an Infant Mental Health Endorsement, Level III, by the Michigan Association of Infant Mental Health.

While in graduate school, Barbara began her study of yoga with Inward Bound Yoga. After being a student for five years, Barbara was invited by the teaching staff to complete an individualized teacher training program. In 2001, Barbara began teaching and has since taught yoga to many different populations including, children, adults, adolescents, and pregnant mothers.  Barbara continues to expand her knowledge of yoga by attending various classes and workshops.  Barbara has also enrolled in a Registered Alliance Yoga Teacher Training course with a concentration in yoga therapy through Inner Door Counseling Services in Royal Oak Michigan.  Barbara will complete her RYT 200 in the summer of 2012.

In 2010, Barbara began to combine her love of yoga and her professional interests by working on a research project for yoga as an intervention for depression and anxiety with Dr. Maria Muzik, Director of the Women’s Mental Health and Infants Program, Department of Psychiatry University of Michigan. This research project proved great success for yoga as a treatment intervention for improving and supporting positive mental health outcomes.