Cindy Bare, MA.: Therapist Spotlight

Several years ago, Cindy Bare left a career in the legal industry to stay at home with her first child. But having experienced several episodes of intense grief in her life — including the death of a parent, a divorce, and infertility in her second marriage — she realized that her talent for helping others might extend beyond her family. “I re-examined my life and thought I might have something to offer others,” she explains. “I went back to graduate school for a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling and began training as an Imago Relationship therapist.”

Bare chose pastoral counseling because of her belief that body, mind and spirit are connected. “When we face challenges in life, there is often a spiritual element,” she says. “People experiencing grief of any kind sometimes wonder if they are being ‘punished.’ It’s often helpful to work through questions of faith in a therapeutic environment. At the same time, I also see clients that do not bring up matters of faith — it is really up to the needs of the client.”

Bare has been with PC&CC/The Imago Center since 2008 and specializes in working with couples in all stages of relationship. “I love when couples come in and find out that their struggles are not only normal, but hold the potential for both healing and growth,” she notes. Bare has particular skill in helping those experiencing infertility or pursuing adoption. She is an active professional member of RESOLVE, a national organization for family building.

She also enjoys giving presentations and plans to offer relationship education workshops and groups through the Imago Center, including the Imago Connects and Couplehood courses. She will be co-leading a Couplehood course in Bethesda beginning Oct. 7. “I am truly passionate about Imago therapy. I have seen its power in my own relationships and I want more people to know about it,” she says.

One of her long-term goals is to combine her management background — she also holds a Master’s in Human Resource Development — with her counseling skills to help leaders, teams, and organizations communicate more effectively. She finds that the Imago approach is a great fit for this aim. “Couples often tell me that Imago helps them not only in personal relationships, but in professional ones, so I am interested in pursuing the use of Imago principles in leadership coaching and organizational effectiveness.

“What works with your partner can also work with your boss or that difficult co-worker! Now if only I could figure out how Imago can improve my golf game, I’d be all set,” she jokes.