Meet Shannon Barnes: Psychotherapist, Artist, Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Barnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
Yes,  I was told that a solid business plan increases the chances for success. Actually, in my opinion a business plan is nothing more than putting your thoughts and dreams on a piece of paper in an organized manner. Of course, the business plan forces you to think about important factors that arise when beginning any business, but the business plan does not determine your success. Your heart and commitment to being successful is the ultimate determination. When difficulties and barriers arise, you must be committed to working through them and using the experience as a chance for growth.  

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
take them around to?
Tranquility Counseling Services was a vision for me when I was in high school. I was aware of the many hurting people in this world, and I was also in a confused place just like most adolescents. Life threw many storms at me, but because I held onto the hope that life could get better I did not give up on that vision. I returned to college later in life and eventually this counseling practice was born. It has grown into something unique. I hold the clinicians who work for me to a higher standard. We focus on helping others bring about change. We consider the holistic person and not just textbook treatment strategies. We understand that when people are truly ready to commit, they can create change for their lives. During this process, the vision for Tranquility Fine Arts Gallery was also born. My father was an artist and a very important person in my life. Because of this, I understood the value of art expression. When my father passed in 2011 I found myself turning to art for comfort. I grew into an artist and I developed the “art for a purpose” plan, which used art to speak inspiration to others. I donated the money from art sales to community causes and in some cases I simply gave art away in the hopes that it would inspire. Finally, an opportunity arose to open the art gallery and invite other artists to join me in my vision to inspire our community. The art gallery will open at the end of 2020. Just in time to promote inspiration and hope to a troubled world with the beginning of a new year. This adventure has not always been easy. I had many days where I struggled and questioned. However, I understood that purpose is tied to everything in life. I knew that if I focused on the purpose I could learn and grow through the struggles. I also learned that often we do not know as much as we think we do. We may never know how we impact others. We may never know what is going on behind the scenes. Therefore, my conclusions are simply my conclusions. I learned that my conclusions were not always truth. What do I want the world to know about our story? It is simple. We are human. We all have failed. We make mistakes. We are broken. However, in all things we should focus on the larger purpose to promote hope and inspiration in ourselves and others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite spots include the local restaurants that promote an unique (not copied or mass produced) individualized atmosphere and great food. I also enjoy the local venues that offer concerts, plays, and art events. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The credit for my success in both the Tranquility Counseling Services establishment as well as the opening soon Tranquility Fine Arts Gallery is due to my faith in Father God in heaven and the purpose he placed in my heart. I have seen miracles in my office. I have seen art speak to people and inspire hope and truth. People will fail. People hurt other people. All people suffer. We all are human and we all are equally broken. I do not measure success by money alone. I measure success by the lives that are impacted by skillful therapeutic counseling sessions and through the visual arts. I personally believe that a broken person could not impact others in a positive manner if he or she is acting alone. This can only occur when faith is applied. If the day comes that those establishments close their doors, I will still consider them a success because they have served others. A wise person once told me, do not chase money, act in faith and let money come to you. This is what I have done.

Website: tranquilityfinearts.com and tranquilitycounselingserv.com
Twitter: @artfromthepsych
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artfromthepsychee/?view_public_for=378863165636657

Image Credits
Art photos and professional head shot – Dan Robertson – Daniel’s Photography Woodstock GA Photos of office and gallery locations – none