Meet Aimee Barr

We were lucky to catch up with Aimee Barr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aimee , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I recently learned that being humble basically means seeing yourself as you actually are—not as the superhero you pretend to be in the shower or the disaster you convince yourself you are at 3 AM. Who knew?

So often we get this backwards idea that confidence means walking around like we have zero flaws, as if we’re some sort of perfectly programmed human robots (spoiler alert: we’re not, and that’s actually the good news). Real confidence is more like being the friend who can laugh at their own terrible dance moves while still getting out there on the dance floor.

It sounds almost annoyingly simple, but genuine self-esteem really does grow from getting to know yourself—quirks, blind spots, secret talents for burning toast, and all. When we embrace this wonderfully awkward journey of self-discovery (and trust me, it gets wonderfully awkward), we start becoming the kind of people we actually enjoy being around.

The catch? This only works when we’re willing to own our whole messy, complicated, beautifully human selves—and then lovingly push ourselves to grow in ways that sometimes feel about as comfortable as wearing jeans that are just slightly too tight. But here’s the thing: that discomfort is often where the magic happens.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’ve always been one of those fortunate people who knew exactly what called to them. Even as a first grader, I could see the pockets of our world that needed more compassion and care. I remember coming home in tears after witnessing a teacher mistreat a student, knowing instinctively that labeling someone as “bad” simply because their behavior was troubling felt far too shortsighted.
That early clarity has shaped an incredible journey. Nearly fifteen years into private practice now, I’ve had the privilege of dedicating myself to understanding patterns—our trauma responses, attachment styles, coping mechanisms, and what draws us toward healing or keeps us stuck. It’s become my life’s contribution, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Working with New Yorkers has been particularly energizing, especially connecting with original thinkers, creators, and those courageously working to break old patterns and forge new ones. I believe therapy should focus on honoring people’s inherent wisdom, focusing on their existing strengths rather than fixating or pathologizing around what’s not working, My curiosity has led me to train in multiple modalities because I believe deeply that effective practice requires diverse tools. I’ve been fortunate to study dialectical behavioral therapy, trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, gestalt work, internal family systems, somatic therapy and couples therapy.
And here’s something I’m especially proud of: I’ve also trained in astrology and regularly volunteer at shelters and non-profits, offering pro-bono astrology workshops for survivors of intimate partner violence. It’s one of those unexpected ways the universe showed me how different healing modalities can serve people in their journey toward wholeness.
Looking back, I’m amazed by how that sensitive first-grader’s instincts have grown into a career that feels both purposeful and endlessly fascinating. Every day, I get to witness people’s capacity for transformation, and honestly, there’s nothing quite like it.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

– Have courage to do your own healing work. Gain radical awareness around your projections, wounds and vulnerabilities. Then get going on being responsible in healing them. This inner work will help you grow maturity, resilience and integrity.

– Have discipline to learn, grow and recognize that learning new skills can take years. Don’t be in a rush to move fast. Instead be committed to doing complete work.

-Invest in really great mentors and inspiring friends. As the saying goes, like attracts like. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and who you can learn from.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I’m a fierce advocate for the strengths perspective because it’s not just theory—it’s a game-changer! The research is undeniable: when you’re genuinely enjoying what you’re doing, you unlock extraordinary levels of creativity, maintain unstoppable momentum for the long haul, and experience profound fulfillment that fuels everything you touch.
Here’s what I know to be true: if you’re serious about launching a business or creating something that truly matters to you, investing in personal development work isn’t optional—it’s your competitive advantage. This transformative work becomes your roadmap to discovering not only your unique strengths but also gaining crystal-clear awareness of where you can grow.
Own your growth areas with courage and intention. Be strategic about addressing them. And when possible, liberate yourself by outsourcing or delegating the tasks that drain your energy and dim your spark.
But here’s where you step into your power: take everything you’ve learned about your strengths and go ALL IN. Pour your heart, your energy, and your brilliance into what you naturally excel at. This isn’t just playing to your strengths—this is claiming your zone of genius and refusing to apologize for it.
Your strengths aren’t just tools; they’re your pathway to creating the impact and life you’re meant to have. The world needs what only you can offer when you’re operating at your highest level

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo credits for all portraits (with the exception of John Jay Photo and BK Bridge) belong to https://www.adelaidechantilly.com/?fbclid=PAdGRleAMgVoJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpxNTxm7F8PapdPmYJBnZGhQ04fGui1VADyrsmpz24VZ58Y0mNhU5PlDCtAc-_aem_OYfbw3QVGHEA-GmmFM_dLw

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