Barbara A. Ward has been a part of the Genesis clinical team as a founding member where she serves as a Psychotherapist, coach, and lead clinician. Barbara has a passion to see individuals and families empowered to achieve a healthy lifestyle through emotional healing and spiritual well-being. She has personally overcome many challenges in her life of significant losses, an orphaned heart, and identity issues that impacted her choices. She believes that we all have purpose and a destiny to fulfill in our lives. Barbara is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and has more than 35 years of experience in mental health that has enabled her to serve in both church and community settings. She has provided a variety of clinical services and training to veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Hampton, Virginia for many years. She represented Genesis as a Corporate Chaplain for the Ferguson Company located in Newport News, Virginia. She worked at Colonial Services Board as a Substance Abuse Counselor following her employment at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Barbara has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work and has been licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia (LCSW) since 1993. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is an ordained minister. She also completed specialized training as a Transformational Coach at Regent University in 2005. She is also the founder and President of Abiding in the Vine Family Life Ministries, Inc. which is a 501©3 non-profit ministry. Barbara serves in the community as a mentoring coach and trainer for families at risk with a focus on parenting and healthy lifestyles. She is a is the proud mother of one daughter and son, six grandchildren, and a host of adopted children and grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, and traveling in her spare time.