About Me
IONABARKER
Hi there! The most important thing I focus on in my work is helping people feel strong and in control of their own lives, no matter what they've been through before. Maybe things that happened to you in the past weren't your fault, but I believe it's up to you to integrate your experiences in a healthy way so you can feel better and have more clarity in your life.
People make mistakes, and those mistakes can actually teach us a lot. We don't have to feel like we're stuck and can't do anything about our problems. Even though it might seem tough, we have the power to change how we see things and feel about them.
Instead of feeling like life is punishing us, we can start to enjoy the good moments and feel safe and secure in our emotions. We can turn our embarrassment into excitement, our worries into something fun, and the way we judge ourselves into being kinder to ourselves.
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.
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/
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, if the organisation is within the Glasgow area.