Barry Family Therapy

Are you struggling? with:

  • relationships

  • addictions

  • trauma

Then please do not go through it alone. I can help you.

Schedule your free consultation today and let us know what you would like to start working through.

Contact Us

Interested in an appointment? Fill out this information and we will be in touch shortly. Thank you!

Barry Family Therapy humbly serves individuals, couples, and families in Knoxville and surrounding areas. We also provide online therapy for Tennessee and California.

John Barry can be reached at

john@barryfamilytherapy.com and (865) 288-9660

At Barry Family Therapy we serve:

  • First Responders and Military families

  • Couples

  • Individuals

  • Teens

  • Families

Why Us?

At Barry Family Therapy, we are dedicated to providing the most compassionate care that is comprised of the best evidenced-based practices in the mental health field.

We create a safe, supportive environment where you can overcome your problems and achieve your goals. We partner with you to foster lasting change, not just behavioral change; we are committed to changing lives through experiences and not knowledge alone. We join you where you are at and do not ask for perfection, but instead, walk through the process with you step-by-step with understanding and honesty.

We believe all people are important, worthy of love, and need acceptance. We take a clear and strong stance that we all have value and are born equal; no matter the circumstance. We share common needs that are universal but may be expressed differently. We all experience life differently and that is a strength when we work together so we respect and cherish the uniqueness and differences. We are dedicated to care for all peoples.

About John Barry

LMFT #2743

I grew up in a traditional family where my father was a firefighter and my mother was a stay-at-home mom. I learned a lot of valuable lessons from my family, and one of the most significant values instilled in me was the desire to help others. What I didn't learn was how to be emotionally open and vulnerable in relationships. As a result, I found myself feeling numb and depressed as an adult. This was one of the most challenging periods of my life, and it ultimately led me to a profound personal transformation.

I initially pursued medical training in college, but my own experience with depression led me to change directions. When I experienced therapy for myself, it dramatically changed my life. It was then that I decided I wanted to help others create the same lasting change in their own lives, families, and significant relationships. I strive to help others move from feeling depressed to fulfilled, numb to truly experiencing life, lonely to connected, and afraid to calm. These are all changes I have personally experienced through therapy.

After receiving my master's degree in clinical psychology in 2016, I began actively working in mental health settings. I started in a hospital setting with addiction/detox, anxiety, depression, and many other diagnoses. I then transitioned to leading groups in intensive outpatient settings, where I facilitated family groups, stress management groups, and 12-step-based groups for mental health and substance use disorders. In 2019, I moved to outpatient therapy, where I frequently work with trauma, couples, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

I bring my experiences and training to help others develop the skills needed to overcome their struggles, whether that is trauma and abuse or conflict in a relationship. I help people manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to achieve their goals. I help relationships find ways of communicating so they can experience soothing, connection, and true fulfillment. I help trauma survivors process and integrate intense feelings so they can fully engage and feel safe again. My therapeutic approach includes Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, tailored to meet individual and relational needs. Recognizing the importance of accessibility, I also provide convenient and effective online therapy (telehealth) services, allowing you to access support from the comfort and privacy of your own space.

Types of Therapy

  • Individual Counseling

    Our brains are created for connection. That is why I focus on attachment informed care that explores your relationship to yourself and those important to you. I will help you understand, and see, how your attachments have shaped your emotions in the present. Then, we will find the right responses to your unique situation while learning to care for yourself and others in new ways.

    For more information click here:

    https://iceeft.com/what-is-eft-public/

  • Couples Counseling

    I frequently help couples come back from the brink. Whether you have lost your passion or the pain has overtaken your love for each other. There is hope to come back to the safety, warmth, passion and friendship that you both still have for each other.

    I do this by helping couples identify the feelings under their anger or defensiveness while responding to your partner’s needs so you both can feel cared for. I help couples find ways to nurture each other’s feelings and communicate through the problems and conflicts. I help couples learn to turn to each other for comfort, instead of pushing each other away.

    Many couples come to me carrying the hurt of infidelity and betrayal. I provide direction while helping them process the pain and take the steps toward the relationship they’ve been longing for. I strive to sooth the shame, that is common for both partners, to rebuild security for the relationship.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

    EMDR is a set of procedures that are used to process trauma without having to talk about it. EMDR allows the brain to process traumatic memories and feelings while staying regulated and in the present moment. It includes moving one’s eyes side-to-side to help mimic REM sleep, the brain’s natural memory processing, to change trauma to healing.

    For more information click here:

    https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

  • Addiction Treatment

    I treat addiction using a harm-reduction model and motivational techniques. We will walk through the process together and find the tools you need to create the life you want.

    I help people identify the habits that reinforce addiction and create new patterns. I also help people learn to deal with emotions that were once replace by the addiction, whether it is a substance, behavior, or technology.