Meagan Barksdale

After 5pm EST and weekends only*

I work primarily with women’s health concerns, along with anxiety, depression, ADHD, neurodivergent related challenges, trauma, burnout, life transitions, divorce, and grief. Many of my clients are balancing multiple roles while carrying the impact of chronic stress, past experiences, or systems that have not fully supported them.

My approach is open-minded, unbiased, and nonjudgmental. I bring warmth, humor, practical skills, and solution-focused tools into therapy while avoiding toxic positivity or generic, one-size-fits-all counseling.

I also support neurodivergent adults, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Veterans, healthcare providers, first responders, and those in high stress or burnout prone careers. This includes individuals adjusting to significant life changes such as relationship shifts, loss, identity transitions, and recovery from substance use.

Many of the people I work with have felt misunderstood, overlooked, or not fully supported in previous therapy experiences. They are looking for a space that is affirming, nonjudgmental, and grounded in both clinical expertise and real world application. I specialize in neurodivergent affirming care, approaching ADHD and related challenges through a strengths based, non pathologizing lens. Therapy is not about fixing who you are. It is about understanding how your brain and body work, reducing shame, and improving your quality of life.

With over 18 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment, I bring a pro recovery, whole person perspective that honors the connection between mind, body, and nervous system.

Whether you are experiencing emotional overwhelm, executive functioning challenges, relationship stress, or major life transitions, you do not have to navigate this alone.

I specialize in neurodiversity, anxiety disorders, depression, life transitions, adult survivors of narcissistic abuse, religious trauma, divorce, grief and loss, chronic pain, addiction, and many other areas.

I have a background in women's health issues, POTS, EDS / hEDS, MCAS, MCTD, RA, Lupus, perimenopause, and Other autoimmune and other chronic illnesses that need therapy supports.

I also understand some people do not align with certain modalities and therapy is not a one size fits all.

My approach is flexible, collaborative, and solution focused. I do not take a rigid or manualized approach to therapy. Instead, I draw from evidence based and integrative modalities including ACT, DBT, CBT, psychodynamic exploration, and solution focused therapy, while incorporating somatic, Polyvagal informed, and nervous system based work. This allows us to build practical, sustainable tools while also exploring the deeper patterns shaping your current experiences.

My passion lies in empowering my clients to build resilience, reclaim joy, and lead more fulfilling lives. As a non-judgmental, affirming therapist with extensive experience in mental health, addiction, trauma recovery, and self-transformation. I offer a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to therapy, ensuring you feel safe and supported as you grow. I believe change begins when you cultivate self-awareness, embrace authenticity, and discover your own capacity for healing. I take a neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed approach to ADHD and executive functioning challenges, grounded in both evidence-based strategies and nervous system regulation. Drawing from Polyvagal Theory, I help clients understand how their brain and body respond to stress, overwhelm, and demand, and how to build sustainable systems that support safety, focus, and motivation.

Clients can expect transformative outcomes from our sessions together, guided by compassionate, non-judgmental support tailored to their unique experiences and goals. Each session is designed to empower clients to:

• Develop deeper self-awareness and embrace authenticity, enabling personal growth and lasting transformation.
• Build resilience and practical coping strategies.
• Navigate life's transitions and overcome challenges such as anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, addiction, relationship difficulties, and chronic pain with confidence and clarity.
• Heal from complex issues, including narcissistic abuse, religious trauma, and burnout, by cultivating inner strength and wisdom.
• Transmute pain into power, forging a renewed path that aligns with their authentic self and goals.
• Reclaim joy, purpose, and fulfillment through personalized care that affirms their individual journey and strengths.

Together, we work to reduce shame, increase self-awareness, and develop personalized routines and coping tools that honor your unique energy, needs, and values.

Whether you're navigating ADHD, trauma, burnout, or life transitions, my goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths and create a life that feels both empowered and regulated.

Ultimately, clients will leave each session equipped with practical tools, renewed hope, and the confidence to build a meaningful narrative of resilience and lasting positive change in their lives.

I am licensed in NC, SC, VA, MA, UT.

www.abovethetides.com

[email protected]

Reaching out takes courage. Together, we will forge a new path on your healing journey, helping you build a life that feels more grounded, sustainable, and aligned with your values.