Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Barrero.
Natalia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where my journey toward understanding people and cultures first began. In 2000, I moved to the United States, embracing a new country, language, and way of life that would ultimately shape who I am — both personally and professionally. I’m also the proud mother of two wonderful, wise, and insightful young adults, Lola (23) and Andrés (20), who continue to inspire me daily with their courage, empathy, and curiosity about the world.
For more than a decade, I thrived in the structured, high-stakes world of finance and accounting. As a Financial Controller for international corporations in Argentina and later in the United States, I led teams, managed operations, and guided strategic decisions across Latin America. My career was challenging and rewarding, but over time, I began to feel an inner pull, a quiet but persistent desire for deeper purpose and human connection.
In 2007, I made a bold and life-changing decision: to leave behind my corporate career and dedicate myself to education. As the Director of The Spanish Academy in East Cobb, I led a team of teachers and worked closely with children and families to create a multicultural environment rooted in curiosity, empathy, and personal growth. Watching children flourish, not only linguistically but emotionally, awakened something profound in me. I realized that my passion was helping people grow from the inside out.
Around that same time, I began mentoring and hosting international tennis players who came to the U.S. to pursue their college careers. I offered them guidance, support, and a home away from home during such a pivotal stage of their lives. Today, they are thriving and successful adults and I couldn’t be prouder. Being part of their journeys, witnessing their challenges and resilience, became one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. In many ways, those young athletes were my first “clients”, they inspired my calling to become a counselor and showed me the power of presence, empathy, and belief in another person’s potential.
That inspiration ultimately led me to pursue a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University, where I discovered my true professional home. In 2021, I co-founded Connected Counseling and Wellness with a colleague, a space dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families find healing and connection. What started as a dream has now grown into two thriving locations, where our team continues to evolve personally and professionally as we support our clients through life’s complexities.
Today, I work primarily with adults and couples, helping them navigate relationships, emotional patterns, and self-awareness. I’ve also expanded my work to include corporate leadership groups and workplace teams, combining my background in business and counseling to foster emotional intelligence, communication, and resilience within organizations.
Over the years, I’ve been deeply moved and inspired by the resilience of my clients, by the courage it takes to confront pain, rewrite personal stories, and choose growth even in the face of difficulty. Each person who has trusted me with their life story has reminded me of the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. Their vulnerability and determination have shaped me as much as my education and experience ever could.
Looking back, my path has been anything but linear, but every chapter has prepared me for the next. From boardrooms to classrooms to therapy rooms, I’ve learned that transformation isn’t about starting over; it’s about integrating every experience into something more authentic and whole.
For me, success is no longer measured in titles or financial outcomes, it’s found in connection. It’s in the moment someone rediscovers their voice, when a couple begins to heal, or when a team starts to communicate with trust and empathy.
Our lives are our greatest investments, and the truest return comes from the growth we nurture, in ourselves and in others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I moved to the United States, I found myself starting over in ways I had never imagined. Back home, I was a confident professional, comfortable in my culture and my language. But here, everything that once felt natural suddenly required courage. English became both a bridge and a barrier, and I had to learn to express myself — not just linguistically, but emotionally — in an entirely new way.
For the first time in my life, I became a minority. It was humbling, disorienting, and at times, isolating. Simple things — a conversation, a social gathering, even my own professional identity — suddenly felt uncertain. I had to rebuild not just a career, but a sense of belonging.
Those early years taught me resilience in a deeply personal way. I learned to listen more intently, to observe more carefully, and to connect with people beyond words. The very challenges that once made me feel small became the foundation of my empathy as a therapist. I understand what it means to feel unseen, to question your place, to find strength in vulnerability.
Being an immigrant shaped not only my story, but my purpose. It taught me that courage isn’t always loud — sometimes, it’s found in the quiet persistence of showing up, learning, adapting, and believing that you can create a meaningful life in unfamiliar territory.
As you know, we’re big fans of Connected Counseling and Wellness LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Connected Counseling and Wellness, we are a dedicated team of licensed professional counselors committed to providing compassionate, high-quality mental health care. With 15 clinicians across our two thriving locations — a Play Therapy Center in Cumming and an Adult and Play Therapy Group in Alpharetta — we offer a holistic approach to emotional and relational wellness for individuals of all ages.
Our mission is to help each person we serve move toward wholehearted living through compassionate care, mindful healing, and holistic wellness. We understand that every individual’s story is unique, and we believe in meeting you exactly where you are — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your relationship, your child, or your family, we strive to personalize your care so that you can move in the direction you want to go. Our team integrates evidence-based practices with empathy, curiosity, and genuine human connection, creating a safe and supportive space for growth and transformation.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next decade, the mental health industry is set for major transformation driven by technology, prevention, and integration. Care will shift from crisis response to proactive, whole-person wellness, with digital tools, AI, and teletherapy expanding access and personalization. Mental and physical health will increasingly merge within healthcare systems, while employers invest more in emotional well-being and resilience programs. Regardless of technology’s growing influence, new generations are prioritizing their well-being and striving for healthier life balance. I also see mental health playing a vital role in advancing inclusion, diversity, and collective empathy—helping societies become not only healthier but more connected and compassionate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nataliabarrero.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectedcw?igsh=ZzNiMDM1bDFlbWF1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-barrero-ms-lpc-ncc-0aaa8517b/
