BARBARA J. CARNAL is a wellness life-coach, a licensed professional counselor, and creator of the PATCHWORK FAMILY(R) approach to family strengthening.
Barbara holds a BA from DePauw University (Indiana) and a Master's degree from Bowling Green State University (Ohio). She is licensed as a professional counselor in South Carolina. Barbara is a graduate of the Foundations course and several advanced courses from the Institute for Life Coach Training. She holds a certificate as a Wellness Coaching Specialist. Her professional memberships include the American Counseling Association, the American Association of Christian Counselors, the International Coach Federation, and the Arizona Authors Association.
Barbara focuses on family wellness coaching and counseling, especially in non-traditional family situations. In addition to strong educational credentials, she adds the personal life experience of parenting birth, adopted, step and foster children.
An enthusiastic and motivational speaker, Barbara has been well-received by many audiences in the past 18 years. She is a former national trainer of trainers for Active Parenting Publishers, Inc. Comments from a conference presentation on the Patchwork Family(R) concept included: excellent speaker; so well spoken that I didn't miss a word; fantastic motivational speaker; very uplifting; needed this lecture to do something about my life; gave us lots to think about; outstanding presenter; very positive; a much-needed message and thought-provoking wrap-up; very inspirational and helpful.
A prolific writer and poet, Barbara has authored many articles on wellness, mental health and parenting issues. She has been a regular contributor to The City Sun in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Many of these articles will appear in our online newsletter on this website. Our growing series of books and journals is featured in the "Products" section. Watch for exciting new additions!
Previously in South Carolina, Barbara provided child bereavement services for Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, Inc., and has served as a Deacon and Stephen Ministry leader at First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island, and she later led the Leader team for Stephen Ministry at Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, AZ. She has served on state and regional professional boards dealing with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), child abuse prevention, and children's advocacy. Barbara currently continues her focus on family wellness as President of the Patchwork Family (R) business, now returning to the lowcountry of South Carolina at Palm Key near Hilton Head Island. After successfully facilitating a Women's Retreat Weekend in October 2009 at Palm Key and a one-day Women's "Renewing Our Spirit" weekend in Scottsdale, AZ, in April 2010, Barbara will be creating new programs for presentation at Palm Key and other area locations.
Be sure to visit the Guestbook to request information
about speaking engagements, services or products
and to comment on the Patchwork Family(R) !!
Barbara@patchworkfamily.com
