: About Me

My name is Erin Barker.  I graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a minor in music.  I started playing the piano at age 6, violin at age 8, and clarinet at age 9.  While at Shepherd I learned how to compose music as well and took a class in music psychology to combine my fields.  I attended Capella University and received my Master's Degree in Human Services: Counseling Studies Specialization.  In 2009, I became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  I currently work as a substance abuse counselor with Addiction Recovery Systems New Castle in New Castle, DE.  I have been married for almost five years and am mother of two.  My daughter, Riley, is 2.5 yrs and my son, Jackson, is 10.5 months.  I work fulltime and spend all of my other time with my family.  I have always loved writing and have a secret desire to one day complete a novel.  I have been published on poetry.com for quite a few years but have not had an opportunity to send any other work out. My plan for the next few years is to submit articles regarding substance abuse, mental health, appropriate treatment techniques and music therapy.

My passion is ...

music, substance abuse and mental health treatment, children

I know too much about ...

music, children, and recovery

My parents always told me ...

that I will have lots of kids

My childhood ambition ...

child psychologist

My favorite memory ...

any time spent with my grandmother

Why I write ...

for fun and self discovery

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

audio books/parenting articles/baby calming music

My first job ...

Peebles Department Store (16 yrs)....real job though....working with mentally disabled/behaviorally aggressive children...now in substance abuse

My best moment ...

getting married

My inspiration ...

my grandmother

Parenting & Pregnancy > Pregnancy Is knowing potential problems in pregnancy more helpful or harmful for the mother?

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Potential parents, expecting parents or ones that already have children will all give different opinions on whether or not they would have wanted to know if there were going to be complications. However, any mother to be will also tell you that high levels of stress during a pregnancy are very negative. Stress causes things such as headaches, stomach aches outside of the pregnancy itself, worry, body aches and exhaustion, all of which cause more stress and strain on the fetus. Mothers to be will also say that they will love their child no matter what may come their way, however, knowing th...

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