Shea Barakatt
LCSW, LCDC – CLINICAL DIRECTOR ORIGINS COUNSELING DALLAS
Shea Barakatt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) who has worked in residential treatment for over 14 years. She earned both her bachelor’s in sociology and her master’s in clinical social work from the University of Oklahoma and joined the Origins family as Clinical Director of Origins Counseling Dallas in March 2020. Shea says that she loves helping counselors and interns learn to think outside the box creatively, expanding their knowledge to help patients and their families live the lives they deserve. She says it’s rewarding to watch patients improve and flourish as they obtain the necessary tools to create a life of sobriety with balanced and improved health. Her hobbies include spending time with her very active and sports-centered family and traveling.
What brought you to the field of addiction treatment? What brought you to Origins?
I got sober in 2006 and decided it would be in my best interest to remove myself from working in the medical industry. Once I realized I knew this path not only professionally, but personally, it enabled me to expand my skills and knowledge. I also learned that I enjoyed working with new counselors in this field. I love seeing people excel and learn, to better their careers, not only professionally but personally. Having worked in residential treatment since 2006, I decided it was time to move on. I know many individuals who currently work for Origins and have worked for Origins. I have always respected the professionalism that I witnessed, as well as the great treatment that Origins provides for their clients. When this position opened up, I simply applied and feel honored to be a part of this team.
If there was only one thing you could tell us about working within your specialty area, what would it be
A Clinical Director must be solution-oriented and be able to adapt quickly. Being able to think outside the box and not giving up is a must. Leadership skills are best exhibited by being accountable and responsible for one’s actions, lead by attraction. I am very straight forward, and I do not believe in softening the truth. However, having fun while working is important, and self-care is a must as there are times that everything is on fire, and you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
What have you learned through your experience working in treatment?
The treatment industry is a very different type of business. We are dealing with individual lives and families. Many clinicians burn out fast if you don’t love what you do and take care of yourself. It can be very challenging but also very rewarding.
Do you hold any credentials or certifications? Do you participate in any professional activities outside of work? If so, please tell us a little bit about them.
I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a masters in Clinical Social Work in May 2000. I hold 2 license LCSW, LCDC. I have worked in dual diagnosis Residential treatment since 2006. Most of this time has been as a Clinical Director, but I have also counseled hundreds of clients and their families. I favor working with families to educate them about mental health and substance use disorders. There is a solution that can be reached to not only help the identified patient but the family as a whole system. I am a trained EMDR Therapist and have created multiple family programs for agencies. During my time in graduate school, I worked in the medical field with Geriatric Mental Health. Both my degrees are from the University of Oklahoma. I played tennis for the University of Oklahoma late 80’s and early 90s.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Do you spend time with family? Do you have any pets or engage in special hobbies? Feel free to tell us more about your life outside of work.
I love sports. I have a son who is graduating High School this year. He was a Wrestler at Rockwall High, and my past seven years have consisted of traveling to tournaments, practices, and workouts. This was my favorite thing to do was to watch him compete. I was a tennis player and plan to start playing again once my son goes to college. As a family, we ski, love college (Oklahoma) football, and stay active. My Husband was a baseball player and a Hockey player, so I attend those sports as well. I will forever be an Oklahoma fan! I love spending time and traveling with my family. I love my family… I consider myself highly blessed. My parents both live in Oklahoma, along with my younger brother. My younger sister is a Dr. who lives in Lubbock, Texas.
Origins Counseling Dallas provides a range of outpatient options for recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety. For information on our programs, call us today: 866-671-4124.
