EXPERT
Barek Sharif
Counselor/Therapist | Mental Health
My name is Barek Sharif. And it is an absolute pleasure to meet you! As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist I have worked with individuals, couples, and families to develop healthy and lasting relationships. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, communication, unconventional life circumstances, or what words cannot describe – I am here to support you. Our sessions are about you deepening and rediscovering compassion and improving the ways you view the world around you.
You might ask, how is this achieved? It’s simple and complex at the same time. I’m not a mystic and I’m not a spiritual guru. Over the course of my career I have discovered that the language and communication we use with ourselves and others is often filled with negativity. That negativity grows just like any organism that is fed. We starve the negative dialogue and replace it with positive and adaptive language. Simple enough, right? The complexity of this is that our negativity develops over months, years, and decades. The shift from negative to positive takes place over the conversations and dialogues in our sessions. And little by little clients begin to see their personal and relational transformations.
You might ask, how is this achieved? It’s simple and complex at the same time. I’m not a mystic and I’m not a spiritual guru. Over the course of my career I have discovered that the language and communication we use with ourselves and others is often filled with negativity. That negativity grows just like any organism that is fed. We starve the negative dialogue and replace it with positive and adaptive language. Simple enough, right? The complexity of this is that our negativity develops over months, years, and decades. The shift from negative to positive takes place over the conversations and dialogues in our sessions. And little by little clients begin to see their personal and relational transformations.
12 years
Experience
Barek Sharif
- MISSION VIEJO, CA
- Vanguard University
- Accepting new patients
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Should I go to therapy for anxiety?
This question is more complex than a 'yes' or 'no' response. It does sound like you have been struggling with anxiety for a bit and it is important to get to the source of your READ MORE
This question is more complex than a 'yes' or 'no' response. It does sound like you have been struggling with anxiety for a bit and it is important to get to the source of your anxiety in order to improve your marriage, and possibly other areas of your life that anxiety is affecting. Therapy is definitely a beneficial experience, medication could also help. Having someone like a therapist to talk to can make a huge difference for some individuals - simply by having a non-judgmental and objective point of view. Research has shown that medication is most effective when combined with therapy. I hope that you are able to make an informed decision that suits your needs.
How long is a psychotherapy course for anxiety?
Good morning. There are many different online tools and resources that vary in terms of length and depth of education. PESI and SAMHSA can be great resources for information and READ MORE
Good morning. There are many different online tools and resources that vary in terms of length and depth of education. PESI and SAMHSA can be great resources for information and education. If you are having difficulty with managing your anxiety and online education doesn't seem to help, then you may want to consider therapy and/or medication.
What is the best treatment for OCD?
You are a great friend for seeking information to help someone that is likely experiencing disruptions in their life from OCD. OCD is an anxiety-based disorder that manifests through READ MORE
You are a great friend for seeking information to help someone that is likely experiencing disruptions in their life from OCD. OCD is an anxiety-based disorder that manifests through compulsive behaviors. Some of the most effective, and evidence-based, treatments for OCD are behavioral therapies. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Finding a therapist that uses these models can help your friend manage the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their compulsive behaviors.
Is therapy better than antidepressants for depression?
This is a very common question. According to DeRubeis, Siegle, & Hollon (2008), cognitive therapies appear to be as effective as medication. Where therapy stands out is the longitudinal READ MORE
This is a very common question. According to DeRubeis, Siegle, & Hollon (2008), cognitive therapies appear to be as effective as medication. Where therapy stands out is the longitudinal benefits of therapy versus medication. The severity of depression will be a factor in how quickly symptoms will decrease. Another effective method would be combining medication with therapy, and over time titrating the medication as symptoms improve.
How long is a psychotherapy course for depression?
I responded to a similar question regarding anxiety. If you have been struggling with depression it is important to identify contributors of your depression and ways to manage READ MORE
I responded to a similar question regarding anxiety. If you have been struggling with depression it is important to identify contributors of your depression and ways to manage it. Some online resources can be found through PESI and SAMHSA. If these don't seem to help with your depression then you may want to consider therapy and/or medication. In conjunction, they can be very effective with addressing depressive symptoms.
Can ADHD be treated with psychotherapy?
I appreciate you seeking help for your daughter. Millions of Americans struggle with ADHD and many have difficulty with choosing an individualized form of treatment. Psychotherapy READ MORE
I appreciate you seeking help for your daughter. Millions of Americans struggle with ADHD and many have difficulty with choosing an individualized form of treatment. Psychotherapy is an effective way of managing ADHD. It won't eliminate it but therapy can help with developing coping skills, identifying factors that exacerbate ADHD, and improve communication regarding ADHD symptoms. If medication is off the table, then psychotherapy can be helpful.
