Andrew Bary, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor 21949
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Hi there, I’m Andrew. I’m from the Jax Beaches area and graduated from Fletcher High School. Throughout my upbringing, the importance of helping others was a primary lesson taught and displayed by my parents, who were both in helping professions, as a pastor and school teacher.
While in college, I began my first experience in a helping profession. It combined two passions of mine: the beach and helping others in our community, working as a lifeguard for Atlantic Beach Ocean Rescue.
I completed my graduate studies at UNF, receiving a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. While in school, I had the awesome opportunity of completing my internship in the athletic department at UNF, where I worked with student athletes clinically through individual and group counseling sessions.
I’ve been out of school practicing psychotherapy since 2020. When I’m not in the office, I love spending time with my favorite people, watching sports (diehard Jags and Braves fan), outdoor activities like the beach, losing golf balls on the course, bike rides, exercising, and hanging with my dog Buster. I’m just a regular person working to better myself, and a trained mental health professional here to help others do the same.
Background
I understand counseling can be intimidating, so I take a laid back approach to help clients feel comfortable to share their experiences in a non-judgemental environment through a person-centered approach.
I implement an evidence based practice towards facilitating the change clients are looking for to reach their goals. Oftentimes our emotions control us, rather than us controlling them, which leads to unwanted and problematic behaviors. I help clients regain control over their thoughts and emotions through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), solution focused interventions, and mindfulness coping techniques and strategies.
My ultimate goal is to help clients live more fulfilled lives that includes a better relationship with themselves and others, and I believe that starts by increasing our emotional intelligence and self-efficacy.