Gabi Barnett, LPC-MHSP

in Brentwood and throughout TN

A Safe Space to Let Go of the Perfectionist Mask and Be You.

Right now, you might be feeling alone, dismissed, or like you're stuck in a loop that never ends.

Your mind constantly battles back and forth, trying to figure out the "right" way to handle everything in life.

Somewhere along the way, your mind decided that the best way to help was by pressuring you—telling you that you could always do more, always do better. And whenever you try to celebrate even the smallest win, that voice in your head shuts it down, telling you it’s not enough or that you "should’ve" done it differently. It’s like no matter what, you can’t win.

It can feel like the truth, but you’re starting to wonder: Is it really? And more importantly, Is this really helping me?

You’re stuck in this endless tug-of-war, unsure of how to reach out to others for help, support, or even just perspective... until now.

By simply being here, you've already taken the first step in breaking that cycle. You've told your inner critic, “I’m ready for something different.”

If it feels okay for you, take a moment—let out a breath of relief.

You're here.

You’ve made it this far, and you don’t have to face all of this alone anymore.

I’m Gabi, and I want to help you celebrate you—

in all the big and small ways you show up for yourself and others every single day.

So often, we overlook, minimize, or dismiss our own efforts and accomplishments. But I’m here to help you notice and honor them—starting with simple recognition and gentle acknowledgment.

Together, we’ll build a strong, trusting partnership that allows you to feel safe, heard, and supported in talking about what’s going on in your life.

Our work together is based on real conversations, where you take the lead in deciding what we explore. On the days when it feels hard to get started, or you're unsure of what to focus on, I’ll guide you through the process, offering options to make sure we use our time in a way that’s meaningful and purposeful for you.

Sessions won’t always look the same—they’ll adapt to where you’re at that day. But no matter what, you can count on leaving each session feeling understood, supported, and with practical steps to try out in your daily life. Over time, we’ll work together to challenge the inner critic, break free from the cycle of self-doubt, and help you embrace a life where you can show up as your authentic, imperfect self—with confidence, clarity, and a sense of peace.

What It’s Like Working Together:

  • The most foundational part of our work together is creating a strong therapeutic partnership—one where you feel safe enough to share the most uncomfortable parts of yourself without fear of judgment. As we build this trust, you’ll begin to challenge long-held fears and self-doubts, allowing yourself to show up more honestly in your life, your relationships, and your decisions. The more you experience this space of gentleness, openness, and acceptance, the easier it becomes to offer that same kindness to yourself.

  • It’s hard to break free from self-criticism when you don’t know where it started. Together, we’ll explore the messages you’ve received about your worth, success, and identity—and, more importantly, how these beliefs have shaped your inner voice. We’ll identify whose words you’ve internalized, how those words shaped your behavior, and begin the work of shifting outdated, harmful narratives. As you recognize these patterns, you’ll gain the power to rewrite the script, creating space for new, more compassionate ways of thinking.

  • When perfectionism and self-doubt take over, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are beneath the expectations. By identifying and reconnecting with your core values, you’ll gain a clear, steady foundation to turn to when anxiety creeps in. Instead of making decisions based on fear, pressure, or what you "should" do, you’ll learn to make choices that align with what truly matters to you—helping you feel more confident, intentional, and in control of your life.

  • Lasting change doesn’t come from ignoring your inner critic—it comes from teaching it a new way to support you. We’ll work on acknowledging both the “bully” and the “cheerleader” within, helping them find a way to work together rather than against each other. You’ll build the ability to recognize and celebrate your efforts, even on imperfect days, strengthening the mindset that you are already enough—exactly as you are.

Coming to therapy and opening yourself up—

from that first message all the way through to the last session—

can feel incredibly hard.

Especially if you struggle with self-doubt, perfectionism, or the tendency to push down your emotions in favor of telling yourself, “I’m fine.” Taking those first steps can feel excruciating, but it’s also a huge act of courage

You’re looking for someone who truly understands what it means to wrestle with that inner voice that constantly tells you, “You’re not enough.” Someone who knows the weight of exhaustion, sadness, loneliness, overwhelm, and self-doubt—and how those thoughts can feel so overwhelming and never-ending.

I get it.

I’ve spent over 9 years working with people who deal with these same feelings daily. And I’m still doing my own work in this area, too. I know how important it is to have a space where you can talk through those thoughts and feelings without judgment—where you can be heard, validated, and gently guided toward finding peace.

In our sessions, I’m fully present. You’ll never be rushed or pushed. I’ll encourage you to share at your own pace, and I’ll always offer honest, supportive reactions. I’ll ask genuine questions, check in to make sure I’m truly understanding your experience, and partner with you to come up with practical ways to try what we talk about in your daily life.

Clients often describe me as “down-to-earth,” “authentic,” and “communicative”—with a knack for remembering the details that matter. Together, we’ll work toward breaking through those perfectionist barriers and finding the peace and self-compassion you’ve been craving

My Approach:

  • Mindfulness is a powerful tool to break free from overthinking, self-criticism, and the constant pressure to be "enough." Through:

    • Connection – Instead of being trapped in past regrets or future worries, mindfulness helps you anchor into the present moment. You learn to recognize your thoughts and feelings without getting lost in them, making space for clarity and calm.

    • Curiosity – Mindfulness encourages gentle questioning—"Is this thought true? Is it helpful?"—helping you challenge self-critical patterns rather than automatically believing them as fact.

    • Compassion – Instead of judging yourself for your feeling, mindfulness fosters self-kindness. You learn to sit with discomfort without shame, reducing emotional exhaustion and creating a more supportive inner dialogue.

    By practicing mindfulness, you stop living on autopilot and start making choices that align with your values, rather than perfectionism’s demands.

  • Perfectionists often struggle to control their thoughts and emotions, leading to exhaustion and frustration. ACT helps you step out of this battle. Instead of resisting difficult feelings, you learn to accept them, reducing the energy spent on self-judgment. With this shift, you can focus on what truly matters—living a life aligned with your values, rather than dictated by fear or self-doubt. Over time, ACT builds psychological flexibility, helping you respond to emotions in a way that supports—not limits—you.

  • Perfectionism often comes with intense emotions—fear of failure, shame, and overwhelm. DBT and CBT provide tools to navigate these feelings instead of being controlled by them.

    • DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) teaches distress tolerance and emotional regulation, so you can face challenges without spiraling into anxiety or avoidance.

    • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) helps reframe perfectionistic and self-critical thoughts, replacing them with a more balanced, compassionate perspective.

    Together, these approaches help you manage stress, challenge negative thinking, and build resilience—so you can stop chasing impossible standards and start embracing yourself.

  • Healing from perfectionism means learning to trust yourself. In our sessions, you’ll have a nonjudgmental space to explore your thoughts and emotions freely. Through this approach, you’ll begin to tune into your own needs, silence the inner critic, and develop self-compassion. Instead of measuring yourself against external expectations, you’ll feel empowered to show up as your authentic self—imperfections and all.

Each of these therapeutic approaches plays a role in helping you shift perfectionistic patterns and quiet your inner critic:

ACT – Helps you stop fighting emotions and instead focus on living with intention.

DBT & CBT – Provide concrete tools to regulate emotions and reshape self-critical thoughts.

Person-Centered Therapy – Creates a foundation of acceptance and self-trust.

Through our work together, you learn to accept that being human means having flaws and imperfections, and embracing the idea that you are enough—just as you are. These therapeutic tools help you manage the pressure and reduce the emotional toll of perfectionism, so you can feel more at ease in your own skin. Over time, you’ll find that you have more energy to focus on what truly matters and feel more in control of your emotions

Degrees: 

Loyola University Maryland

MS Counseling Psychology 

Magna Cum Laude

Syracuse University

BA Psychology and BS Child and Family Studies 

Summa Cum Laude

Credentials

Licensure:

Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider

License Number:

4422

Trainings:

Acceptance-Commitment Therapy

Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Mindfulness

Motivational Interviewing: focus in Substance Use

Let’s Work Together to Learn How to  Compassionately Show Up for Yourself!