Meet Barbra Russell of Barbra Russell, MA,, LPC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbra Russell.

Hi Barbra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I love people and I love the work I do as a Licensed Professional Counselor, speaker and author.

My professional career began as an administrator in a large multi-specialty medical clinic. After working there several years, I returned to school, earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and began a second career as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

That second career prompted a move to Denver, Colorado where I established a Counseling division at a large church. There, I supervised master’s level counseling students from various universities in the area and taught a variety of training classes and support groups while continuing my own psychotherapy practice. I also enjoyed conducting workshops and speaking to various community members.

Because I had been a people pleaser, someone who never said no, I could relate to the many clients and audience members I spoke to, and their stories became my motive for writing “Yes! I Said No!” Currently I am continuing my private counseling practice and am also working on my second book about marriage relationships, “Yes! I Said I Do!”

Words that describe me:

** Overcomer -” We need to amputate; she’ll be lucky if all she loses is her leg,” Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Frost

** Determined – I decided to walk without a limp

** Late Bloomer – Published my first book at age 70

** Reformed People Pleaser – Yes! I Said No!

** Humorous Speaker – She says: “We need to talk.” He thinks: “Oh no, I’m in trouble again” (From popular speaking topic “Men’s and Women’s Brains Work Differently”)

** Practical Psychotherapist: Offers insights without psychobabble and shares tips to motivate, challenge and encourage.

In my free time, my husband Jerry and I like to travel and get away to the mountains where I also enjoy one of my favorite hobbies, photography.

During winter, it’s time to enjoy a fire, hot coffee, and a good book. And of course I love to write. In addition to writing Yes! I Said No! I regularly publish a blog, “Barb‘s stories from the couch “which can be found on my website barbrarussell.com

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Physical challenges: Eight surgeries on right leg with threat of amputation each time

Emotional challenges: Overcoming low self-esteem and people pleasing tendencies.

Career challenge: Leaving a well-established field to return to school later in life, obtaining both a business degree, a master’s degree and then becoming a licensed counselor.

Book challenge: I had never written a book and had to master the time, discipline and money to self publish “Yes! I Said No!”

As you know, we’re big fans of Barbra Russell, MA,, LPC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m a psychotherapist/life coach who is also an author, teacher and speaker. I am the author of “Yes! I Said No!” and some frequently requested speaking topics are:

His Brain, Her Brain – why do we communicate so differently?

Highly Effective Leadership

The Emotionally Healthy Woman

Three Steps to Setting Healthy Boundaries

Stress Management in a Crazy World

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
A big risk for me was returning to school at age 40; I wondered, “will my brain still retain the information I need?” “Does it still work?” Thankfully, the answer was yes, although I didn’t know for sure until I enrolled, arranged funding and went to my first class to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business. After going to night school and driving 100 miles round-trip for 4 years,

The next risk was moving to Denver from Pueblo for two years to complete a Master’s Degree in Counseling.

A third risk was deciding to write and self publish a book when I was 70. I agree with M Walker’s quote: “Don’t sit down and wait for opportunities to come. Get up and make them!” And that requires risk.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barbrarussell.com
• Instagram: @barbra_russell
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/barbra.e.russell
• LinkedIn: Barbra Russell, MA, LPC