Wendy Barber
I’m Wendy Barber, a certified neurodiversity life coach at The Banyan Tree Center in Athens,Georgia. With 23 years as a public school special education teacher and advanced degrees from the University of Georgia, I have spent my career learning how neurodivergent brains work and how to help them thrive. I work with children, teens, adults, and families navigating ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, and other neurodivergent experiences. I see clients in person in Athens and also work virtually with clients across the United States.
Sometimes life can feel overwhelming, especially when you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a developmental disability. Maybe you know you have the intelligence and skills to get through college, but the simple act of starting an assignment feels impossible. Maybe you have a deep desire to connect with people but every attempt feels like a failure. Maybe you have a job that does not suit you, or you cannot seem to get past the interview process. Having a coach who genuinely understands how your brain works can change all of that.That is where I come in.
Over 23 years I worked alongside parents, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, autism specialists, and classroom teachers to make sure every child had a plan that truly fit them. I know what it takes to build something that actually works. Raising two neurodivergent children of my own, one with ADHD and one on the autism spectrum, while navigating my own anxiety, means I bring both deep professional expertise and a level of personal understanding that is hard to find anywhere else.
“My passion is to help anyone and everyone realize how truly remarkable they are.”
BACKGROUND AND CREDENTIALS
• Certified Life Coach,International Neuro-Linguistic Programming Center
• MED in Special Education,University of Georgia
• BSED in Special Education,University of Georgia
• 23 years as a public school special education teacher in Georgia
HOW I WORK
• In person · The Banyan Tree Center, Athens GA
• Virtual · Clients across theUnited States
• Ages 4 to 100
APPROACHES
• CBT
• Motivational interviewing
• Art-based approaches
• Bibliotherapy
• Games-based approaches
• Neuro-linguistic programming
WHAT I SPECIALIZE IN
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Coaching in Athens, GA and Nationwide
WHO I WORK WITH
I work with children, teens, and adults who have been diagnosed with autism or suspect they may be on the spectrum. Many come to me feeling like they are fundamentally“wrong” or always misunderstood, not sure why connection feels so hard. They might feel like they are always missing the punchline or cannot quite read what other people are thinking. I also work with the parents and family members who are doing everything they can for someone they love and just need an expert in their corner too.
WHAT WE DO TOGETHER
With more than two decades of hands-on experience in special education, I know how to build strategies that actually fit the way a neurodivergent brain works. We talk through your lived experiences, set well-defined goals, and build practical tools for daily life, relationships, work, and school. For the parents of younger clients, I make it a point after every single session to tell you something true and specific about how amazing your child is. Because they are, and you deserve to hear it.
ADHD Coaching and Emotional Regulation
WHO I WORK WITH
I work with kids, teens, and adults with ADHD who feel out of control. Maybe you know exactly what you need to do but cannot make yourself start. Maybe you keep having the same blowups and you are not sure why. Maybe you have been told your whole life that you are smart but lazy, and that label has followed you everywhere. advice has not worked, and you are tired of it.
WHAT WE DO TOGETHER
Using evidence-based techniques alongside books, movement, and hands-on activities, we build real strategies for calming the nervous system and regulating emotions. I will cheer you on through every small win, because small wins are how big change actually happens. You will leave with tools that fit the way your brain works, not someone else’s.
Alcohol and Drug Misuse
WHO I WORK WITH
I work with people who are struggling with alcohol or drug misuse and carrying a lot of shame about it. I understand that shame personally. Seven years ago I was where you are, making deals with myself, trying to control something that would not be controlled. Most people come to me having already set rules for themselves that have not held. If that sounds familiar, you are not broken and you are not alone. You just have not had the right support yet.
WHAT WE DO TOGETHER
Misuse is always a symptom of something deeper, whether that is anxiety, depression, fear, or stress. We work to identify what that underlying issue actually is. My goal is to help you heal the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, not just stop a behavior. I will show up for you fully, every session, without judgment. That is a promise I take seriously.
A FEW THINGS I WANT YOU TO KNOW
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OUR FIRST SESSION
This is simply a conversation. I want to know your story. There is nothing to prepare and no pressure. I will bring 100% of myself to every session we have together, and I will be your champion from day one.
SOMETHING I WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW
Everyone can benefit from having someone in their corner. Every single person. We are all human, and that alone makes us worthy of love and acceptance. That includes you, and I will remind you of that as often as you need to hear it.
WHO I DO MY BEST WORK WITH
Clients who are honest and ready to show up. I genuinely love hearing about your life. One of my favorite things is helping you see yourself the way I see you, because the people who come to me are so much more remarkable than they realize.
MY BIGGER GOAL
I want to treat the whole person. I want to connect you with all the right people to help you heal your heart, mind, body, and soul. With a wide range of experience, skills, and science-based techniques, let’s get started.