Our Expert Holistic Psychotherapist Team

Our Vission

To create a world where every individual can thrive emotionally, mentally, and physically through personalized, holistic psychotherapeutic care that fosters healing and growth.

Our Mission

To empower individuals on their journey to holistic well-being by providing compassionate and integrative psychotherapy that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.

Dr. Deborah Barnett

Owner and Founder of Living, Loving, Thriving
Integrative, Holistic Psychologist

From the time I was young, I knew that I would either be in the performing arts or healing arts. I grew up in a household where holistic health practices were the norm. My mother learned reiki in 1979 and I learned reiki when I was 18-years-old. After attending Waldorf schools through elementary and high school, I completed my BA in psychology at Naropa University. My Master’s and Doctoral degrees I completed at The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now called Sofia University.) My doctoral dissertation was on “The Effects on the Well-Being of Parents Who Learn and Practice Reiki.”

When working with clients, I offer both professional expertise as well as compassion and understanding gained from my own personal journey. In 2015, I was diagnosed with stage III-B invasive lobular breast cancer. Utilizing a blend of traditional and complementary medicine, I made it through this emotionally and physically challenging 2-year journey will relative ease.

 

The insights and wisdom I gained from this experience support my work with clients who are navigating turbulent times on their life path. In each of my sessions, I focus on your needs at that particular moment, while holding your vision of the desired outcomes you want to achieve. The result is a dynamic, interactive experience in which you will feel heard, valued and respected. My specialties include Positive Psychology, Energy Psychology, and Mindfulness. I also practice Brainspotting to support the healing of trauma. I offer in-person psychotherapy sessions in Asheville, North Carolina, and phone/skype/zoom coaching to those living further away.

Outside of the office I enjoy practicing yoga, walking, dancing, cooking and photography.

Dr. Savana Williams

Living, Loving, Thriving
Integrative, Holistic Psychologist

My plan in life was always to work in the medical field, that is, until my sophomore year in college. I found myself in an abusive romantic relationship for a year and a half while simultaneously taking foundational psychology courses. A psychology professor took me under their wing and helped me along the journey of finding myself again. This led me to change direction, ultimately earning a Masters in Clinical Mental Health from Western Carolina University and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a Health Concentration from Nova Southeastern University. Along the way, I learned the importance of integrating the mind, body, and spirit through talk therapy. I found my passion for working with anxiety and depression. I discovered modalities, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, that aided in supporting clients to pursue meaning while decreasing symptoms that hindered that process. 

The services I provide to clients are shaped by my clinical training, personal experiences, guidance from teachers I’ve met along the way, and the continuous collaborative relationship I seek to foster with clients. 

Together we can create an environment that promotes safety, support, and ultimately your healing and growth.

Starting therapy is a vulnerable process and may feel intimidating–this is so valid! Building a therapeutic relationship with someone you can trust is the most important predictor for a successful therapeutic experience. I would love to be a part of your journey when you are ready.

Dr. Sarah Amedoro

Psychologist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

I took my first psychology course at a community college when I was 16 years old, and I continued down this path of learning, receiving my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Immaculata University in 2017. I was fascinated by the brain, and much of my initial clinical training and research was in neuropsychology. Through my healing journey, I realized the importance of integrating one’s mind, body, and spirit. This newfound awareness of the mind-body-spirit connection led me to explore the therapeutic benefits of mindfulness meditation and yoga. I have since studied various eastern and earth-based healing modalities. The services I offer are informed by my clinical training, as well as by my own healing experiences, by my many teachers, and through ongoing collaboration with clients. I am committed to co-creating a supportive space and strong relationship, in which to explore, learn, heal, and grow.
Through our work together we will expand the capacity to hold both ends of the emotional spectrum; sadness/sorrow and joy/love, essentially leading to a richer, deeper, more fulfilling human experience.

As an integrative and holistic psychologist, I often incorporate meditation, movement, and sound, along with western psychology models including; mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and transpersonal psychology. I am certified as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and utilize somatic therapy for addressing trauma and other forms of nervous system dysregulation. I offer in-person and telehealth psychotherapy sessions in Asheville, North Carolina, as well as online coaching sessions to those living further away. Outside of the office I enjoy yoga, hiking, singing, cooking, growing food, ceremony and play. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your journey.

Many times the biggest challenge is becoming truly aware of our own experiences and being honest with ourselves about these experiences. I am committed to creating a supportive space and strong relationship in which to explore honestly and authentically. We will learn and practice specific methods for expanding awareness, as well a variety of coping skills to support authentic reflection. Once we are able to gather information and understand patterns, the time comes to take empowered action and create a courageous, beautiful, fulfilling life. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your journey.

Shakeenna Faircrest

Office Manager

Shakeenna joins Living, Loving, Thriving as our Office Manager.  She has a wealth of experience as a Teacher and Healer, working with people in many facets of their life’s journey.  Her life’s journey has been a varied one with a BS and Masters in Recreation which led her to becoming an Exercise Physiologist with HealthSouth Rehabilitation.  In her last year with HealthSouth she attended Massage School obtaining her Massage License in 1994 and opening her own practice in WNC the same year. 

Towards the end of her 10 years as a Massage Therapist, She chose a path of Priestess, Magdalene, and Hermeticist and became an Ordained Shamanic Minister.  This spiritual path connected her with like-minded people and supported her in reconnecting herself to the healer and explorer that she is.  Through trainings and certifications she attempted to start a couple of businesses with no success.  

Her Mother began declining in health and could not live alone, so Shakeenna became primary caretaker.  However, she needed income and something that she could do while taking care of her Mother. She decided to join Living, Loving, Thriving. Working behind the scenes, supporting this important work and other human beings in doing their life’s work fit perfectly for this time in her journey.  In her personal time, Shakeenna sings with an acapella choir, Ubuntu, wanders the vast nature of WNC via hiking, practices yoga, has recently added spin classes to her exercise regime, enjoys cooking, and explores all things moonology.

We provide compassionate and integrative psychotherapy tailored to your unique needs.

Decrease Anxiety

Sleep Improvement

Manage Depression

Lose Weight

Relationships

Yoga

Client’s Testimonials