About Me
I’m Iona Barker, a confidence specialist with over ten years of experience supporting people with chronic stress, self-doubt and emotional exhaustion.
IONA BARKER
I work with creatives, neurodivergent thinkers and anyone who feels like they’ve been stuck behind fear for too long.
I specialise in helping people rebuild their self-confidence, process the impact of CPTSD or burnout and start showing up with more clarity and courage in their daily lives. My approach is honest, trauma-informed and rooted in real life. I don’t believe in quick fixes or performative positivity. I believe in daily action, deep work and building a relationship with yourself that feels safe and strong.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re too much or not enough all at once you are in the right place. Let’s work together to create lasting confidence and calm from the inside out.
​My current certifications:
-Emotional freedom coaching (Freedom Formula)
-Treating chronic stress
-Treating anxiety in autism/ASD
-Treating complex post traumatic disorder (cptsd)
-Neuroscience of Autism
-Neuroscience of ADHD
(I also have an honours degree in fashion design with business studies & a higher national credit in art & design).
I annually complete a minimum of 15 hours accredited career personal development for counselling (CPD) to consistently update my training & knowledge, and provide the best service for my clients.
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My Experience:
I received experience-based training while running my own creative therapy business (Say It Ain’t Sew) for 9 years from 2010-2019.
I used creative therapy (sewing, painting, writing, drawing, & collage) with clients & their family members who were encountering:
Mental and emotional health challenges such as: self-confidence, anxiety & depression, displacement, addiction, domestic abuse, religious & racial abuse, social isolation, childhood trauma, incarceration, dementia, chronic stress, toxic shame, palliative care, grief & loss, and neurodivergence.
I was diagnosed with ADHD & ASD in 2023
I have been managing and treating my own symptoms of CPTSD for a number of years.
Some organisations my creative therapy/coaching businesses and I have worked with/supported since 2010:
Impact Arts
Barnardo’s
Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid
Brewdog PLC
G1 Group
Blazing Griffin Digital Entertainment
The Village Storytelling Centre
HMYOI Polmont
Burnfield Carehome Giffnock
SAMH
Skypark Glasgow
STV
The Unity Centre
Glasgow Caledonian University
New College Lanarkshire
Remode CIC
Rose & Grants of Trongate
& 40+ Primary schools in the greater Glasgow city area
I have a full PVG from Disclosure Scotland and liability insurance.
I currently have a self-published book available globally on Amazon called Upgrade Your Self-Confidence
CLICK HERE for my book
Links to articles about me and my work:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42165840
https://www.sewmag.co.uk/blog/say-it-aint-sew-how-free-classes-are-doing-good
https://glasgow.makerfaire.com/maker/entry/70/
https://www.facebook.com/theguardian/videos/10156298867096323/
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/who-makes-list-glasgows-stars-14050021
https://artsnfaffs.com/category/fashion/
https://www.creative-lives.org/epic-awards-say-it-aint-sew
https://stitcherystories.com/ionabarker/
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My current services include:
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Private coaching and counselling to individuals via weekly Zoom.
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Corporate coaching and counselling via weekly group or individual sessions via Zoom/Google Meet OR in-person sessions within the organisation using meeting rooms.
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