Anthony Barrett

Life can be fraught with pain, heartache, and despair, causing many of us to feel hopeless and confused and ultimately question the reality of goodness. Counseling can be a place where hope and goodness are rediscovered and cultivated together. It is in the context of relationships that we are formed, harmed, and ultimately healed. Regaining a sense of wholeness is a process of journeying with the client to initiate movement towards healing. Anthony was born into a biracial household and grew up all over the world in a military family. He is fascinated by culture and has discovered that the things that make us different are somehow the very things that also connect us. Before becoming a counselor, Anthony studied architecture and received his bachelor’s degree in architectural design from the University of Florida, spending 14 years working in the architecture industry. Anthony also spent 6 years in the Florida Army National Guard after enlisting in the summer of 2011. Towards the end of 2012, he became intrigued with the idea of possibly going back to school to become a counselor while participating in a recovery ministry at his church. Although both architecture and the military provided unique and challenging experiences that he will always cherish, Anthony believed his ultimate calling could be elsewhere. It was after attending an Allender Story Workshop in 2018 that he decided he would change his career path and pursue becoming a mental health counselor. Anthony recently graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo with his master’s degree in mental health counseling. Anthony is interested in working with individuals, couples, and families from various backgrounds and experiences. As a trained Prepare/Enrich facilitator, he hopes to work with couples in their efforts to grow and thrive together. He is also passionate about caring for people and engaging the particular ways they struggle, including areas like addiction, sexuality, and trauma, in both individual and group counseling settings. When he is not counseling, Anthony enjoys spending time traveling and exploring new culinary experiences with his wife, Tatianna. He is passionate about design and anything that involves a process of making, such as cooking, construction, and poetry. Anthony used to be an avid CrossFitter and occasional marathon runner and continues to enjoy physical fitness.