My career in brief
My mental health training began as an 18-year old student volunteer at the university counseling services and continued in various settings throughout my studies. I completed my doctorate in psychology at age 28 while working at a state psychiatric center.
After a brief stint in managed care and while maintaining a private practice, I entered a long and rewarding period of counseling people of all ages coping with physical illnesses in rehabilitation and nursing centers. I was their port in an emotional storm; they taught me about what’s most important in life.
I began writing about mental health and aging, traveling around the country giving talks on the subject. More recently, as my own parents grew older, I shifted my work to a virtual private practice so I could be more available to them.
In my practice, I strive to offer the wisdom I’ve garnered through life experience, personal development, and decades of seeing people through tough times.
Excited about the publication of The Savvy Residents Guide
I was honored to receive the 2015 Professional Service Award from my national geropsychologist colleagues
Meeting Dr. Bill Thomas, eldercare innovator and founder of the Green House Project (among other things)
It was a privilege to write an award-winning biweekly column on aging and mental health, The World According to Dr. El, for McKnight’s LTC News from 2014-2023
Interview with former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden about caring for her aging mother
Meeting Dan Cohen, MSW, founder of Music & Memory
Highlighting an important and often overlooked issue of substance abuse in seniors
Writing a chapter about bullying in older adults
Highlight Reel
And so much more…
Contributing to this educational series on younger adults in long-term care
Interview with David Grabowski, PhD, Professor of Health Care Policy, Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School (and one of my favorite researchers)
Trying adaptive equipment and an “aging suit” to see how it felt.
TV interview about Covid from my office on the Covid unit
Scary times in the epicenter of the epicenter 2020
Rates
Psychotherapy
For those in New York State, Dr. Barbera provides virtual psychotherapy services Tuesday through Thursday, 9am – 6pm. She accepts private pay and Aetna insurance.
45 mins | $200 | Get started Learn more
Eldercare Coaching
This virtual session or telephone call offers a roadmap and an occasional touchstone along the eldercare journey. Packages of 5 or 10 sessions available at a reduced rate.
45 mins | $300 | Get started Learn more
Public Speaking on Mental Health & Aging
In-person or virtually, Dr. Barbera is an experienced and engaging speaker who will tailor her talk on mental health, aging, or eldercare to address the needs of your audience.
Fee Negotiable Get started Learn more