We recently connected with Dani La Barrie and have shared our conversation below.

Dani, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

As a child, it felt like my parents were too strict. I thought they didn’t ‘get it’ because they’re from the islands (Trinidad). Little did I know, WHY they had their rules. There were a lot of things that my friends got to do that I, as a kid and teenager, didn’t get to do. Don’t get me wrong – I still got to enjoy life and go on things like field trips. But things like shaving my legs, doing sleepovers with girl friends, or being allowed to have a boyfriend were huge no-no’s. At the time I had a resentment, as any teen or child would. We think we want to do whatever we want, whenever want. It’s not until later on in life, I look back and realize the valuable lesson in discipline, in prioritizing, in staying focused and not distracted. I also get to laugh with my friends, as an adult, who also relate to having “Caribbean strict parents/family”.

If it weren’t for my parents being strict, I wouldn’t be where I am today with the self-discipline and focus I have; the drive, ambition, and work ethic. Through my adversities and challenges in life (experiencing significant deaths, losses, getting arrested, my business almost filing bankruptcy, breaking off a wedding engagement due to abuse), I’ve learned that life can take many things away from us (relationships, valuables, accolades) but it cannot take away our character, our morals, our values. And that is something my parents did right – they taught me how to have something that no one or nothing could take away.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Virtual Licensed Psychotherapist and Happiness Transformation Coach. I am also the founder of Affinity Care, therapy and coaching practice where we teach ambitious women effective tools to build confidence and feel worthy again whether post break up, single, or in a relationship.

Having 15 years of professional and personal experience with substance abuse and mental health, I have equipped thousands of women with proven effective tools to be able to manage waves of intense challenging emotions, being able to navigate conflict, express feelings better, get clear on and establish boundaries, and improve communication and relationships. I am on a mission to help women gain clarity on their emotions and thoughts, feel confident in their self worth and boundaries, and feel fulfilled from the inside without the need of another unfulfilling relationship or unhealthy habit.

It takes a lot of time, commitment, and vulnerability to write a book! Something I am proud of is being an Amazon best selling author of Stories of an Ex-Party Girl: How to feel happy and good about yourself without alcohol and drugs. My book doesn’t just tell my story; more importantly, it gives tools and strategies I’ve learned along the way that have helped me get through difficult times.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the most recent season of my life, I really had to exercise resilience. I was supposed to get married October 14th and a month before the wedding my ex-fiance became abusive. I cancelled the wedding and broke up with him (September 2023). About one month later, October 2023, my paternal grandmother passed away. I spent summers with my grandma. As a child and teenager I went to church with my grandma; I was fond of her. Two months following this, December 2023, I had to put my 14 year old dog down. Her name was Pooter. I used to refer to her as my spoiled Rottenweiler. All while this was going on, I was commuting an hour and a half to two hours one way to work, managing a 55-bed inpatient treatment facility (in addition to seeing my clients in my private practice).

I have since made significant changes. I no longer burn myself out commuting and managing the inpatient treatment facility. I’ve had the opportunity to take time and heal, spending time with family and friends. Working in this field, I believe it’s important to take care of ourselves.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Spirituality or Spiritual Health. I think that is most helpful for succeeding in any field really. Being in touch, regularly, with some sort of spiritual health or spiritual practice. I’m a proponent of the idea of having balance in our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. So many of us fill voids with vices. Having some sort of belief system helps us move in life with purpose. And when I say ‘belief system’ I’m not limiting it to religion. Spirituality can also be developing an unconditional love for Highest Self (so even if you were an Atheist or Agnostic).

Being engaged in spirituality can inspire us with creativity, ideas, and influence decisions and choices that could lead to something beyond our own imagination.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.danilabarrie.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/DaniLaBarrie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danilcsw/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/danilabarrie/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/danilabarrie

Image Credits
Photograph of only me: Lauren Britz Photography Photograph of me leading guided meditation in a workshop class at a table with people seated in chairs: Eric Lieux Photography Photograph of me dressed in red leading a class with a headset on: Jillian Leigh Photography