Barbara Small

Barbara Small has a Masters degree in Counselling and has also trained as a Life Coach. She is the author of three self-help books, "If I Could Just Get Out of My Own Head: A No-Nonsense Guide to Communicating Effectively", "What About Me, What Do I Want? Becoming Assertive" and "Blah, blah, blah... Changing Your Negative Self-talk". Her books have sold across Canada as well as internationally.

As an author, facilitator and life coach Barb uses real life examples from both her personal and professional experience in her books and workshops. Her style is very down-to-earth, direct, practical and fun. Barb is known as the "No-Nonsense Coach". She uses situations familiar to all of us to demonstrate the tools and techniques she shares with her readers and participants.

Barb helps clients, workshop participants and the readers of her books focus on their strengths and on moving forward. She knows that it is possible to begin to value yourself, feel more confident, become assertive and communicate clearly and effectively. She looks forward to sharing her experience and knowledge with others.

Barb has worked with clients in private practice for over a decade and has been a speaker and facilitator since 1993. She has developed and taught numerous personal and professional development workshops for businesses, professional associations, community groups and the general public. She has taught through Continuing Education at local community colleges. Barb developed the curriculum and taught the course "Challenges in Counselling Support Practice" in the Counselling Support Certificate program at a local college for several years.

In the past Barb has worked as an employment counsellor, substance abuse counsellor, EAP counsellor and has been a program coordinator in both the post-secondary and non-profit sectors.

Barb also has a diploma in Business Administration and worked for several years in the business field before navigating a career change into counselling, coaching, teaching and writing. Her own personal journey is an example of her belief that change is possible and that we all have the ability to create the life we want to live.