About Octavia Bartmess
Focus areas
Adjustment Disorder
Couples Therapy
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety
Intergenerational Trauma
Psychological Trauma
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Panic Attack
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Groups
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Families
Treatment approaches
Attachment-based
Culturally Sensitive
Coaching
Eclectic
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
EMDR
Identity
Gender
FemaleSexuality
StraightFaith
BuddhistEthnicity
Indigenous American or Alaska Native
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Octavia Bartmess
I am a licensed master social worker (LMSW) with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Washington University in St. Louis. I provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. My approach integrates EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the Gottman Method, Indigenous healing practices, Reiki energy work, and Neurofeedback to support whole-person healing. I am committed to creating a supportive, and culturally attuned space where clients can release trauma, build resilience, and move toward meaningful change in their lives.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I approach healing with the heart of a Social Worker and the precise mind of a former Software Engineer. As the National Director of Neurofeedback at NATIVation Counseling, I specialize in moving beyond 'talk therapy' to retrain the brain for lasting safety and focus.
The Medicine Wheel: Healing Through Balance
My practice is rooted in the Medicine Wheel, an Indigenous framework for wholeness. I look at your 'whole self'—integrating Spirit, Connection, Body, and Mind. When these elements are out of alignment, your system sends 'messages' like anxiety or a racing heart. I see these as signals to return to your natural state of harmony.
My Style: High-Precision & Direct
If you want a therapist who simply nods, I am likely not the right fit. I am an active, direct clinician. My background in System Dynamics means I ask deep, specific questions to build a map of your unique nervous system. I look at the 'hardware' of your brain and the 'software' of your experiences to identify exactly where the system is 'glitching'.
A 'Brain + Body' Approach
I support adults who feel 'stuck in survival mode'—where focus is scattered and the mind feels constantly wired. My integrated approach includes:
Neurofeedback: Retraining the brain to shift out of hypervigilance.
EMDR: Processing 'stuck' trauma that traditional therapy often misses.
Indigenous Wisdom: Using the Medicine Wheel to restore ancestral resiliency.
Somatic & Energy Work: Addressing physical/spiritual messages through Reiki and body-based healing.
What to Expect
Our work is a deep 'systems analysis' of your life. Whether navigating ADHD, anxiety, or intergenerational trauma, you can expect transparency, clinical rigor, and a space where your intelligence is respected. Let’s begin your journey back to wholeness.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Working with me is a structured journey from system stabilization to deep healing. I approach our first sessions by building safety and trust, while developing measurable, trackable goals for your wellness.
Phase 1: Foundational Stabilization
Before diving into deep trauma work, we must ensure your "system" is stable. Unlike traditional talk therapy, our early work focuses on the four quadrants of your Medicine Wheel: sleep, nutrition, hydration, and self-care. We assess your current ability to regulate emotions. If there is a "glitch" in these foundational areas, that is where we begin. While talking about problems can be helpful, I prioritize building a regulated foundation first.
Phase 2: Entering the Medicine Wheel
If necessary, we may use EMDR in this phase specifically to assist with emotional stabilization. The goal is to move you into a balanced state—not perfect, but regulated. This prepares your nervous system for the deeper work of changing neuro-networks permanently and healing old generational patterns stored in your DNA and life experiences.
Phase 3: Deep Neuro-Network Healing
Once stabilized, we use an integrated approach of EMDR and other deep-healing modalities.
Neurofeedback: As National Director, I lead our brain-training program. We begin with Brain Mapping to analyze your activity and start weekly training—in-office or at home—to rectify over or under-stimulation.
Somatic Integration: I may recommend Reiki to strengthen the mind-body connection and assist with overall relaxation.
By the end of our work, the goal is a fundamental shift in how your system functions, allowing you to move through the world with resilience and ancestral power.
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
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In-network insurances
Octavia Bartmess, LMSW, CSW has +13 in-network plans.
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $169 for 60 minutes
Ongoing session: $139 for 53 minutes
- Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork
More information on payments and coverage
I believe that financial stress shouldn’t be a barrier to healing your nervous system. At NATIVation, we aim for transparency so you can focus on your 'Medicine Wheel' balance rather than paperwork.
Insurance & Verification
We are in-network with several major providers, including Aetna, SelectHealth, and BlueCross BlueShield. Before our first session, our care team will perform a courtesy insurance check to estimate your coverage. However, insurance can be complex—I always recommend that you call your provider to confirm your specific outpatient mental health benefits and any co-pays you may be responsible for.
Payment Options & Assistance
If you are paying out-of-network or do not have insurance, my individual session rate is $139. We accept all major credit cards, as well as Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards.
I understand that sometimes the 'buffering' phase of life includes financial hurdles. To help, we offer:
CareCredit Financing: This allows you to set up manageable monthly payments so you can start your EMDR or somatic work without a large upfront cost.
Our Process
To keep our focus on your healing during our time together, we require all intake forms and insurance details to be completed through our portal 24 hours before your visit. If you have questions about your bill or need to set up a payment plan, our team is incredibly supportive and ready to help you navigate the 'logistics' so you can stay grounded in your work.
Office location
Octavia Bartmess, LMSW, CSW also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Washington University in St. Louis, Master's in Social Work
NPI number
1548054000
How soon can I make an appointment with Octavia Bartmess?
Generally, Octavia Bartmess has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Octavia Bartmess's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Octavia Bartmess accepting new patients?
Octavia Bartmess generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Octavia Bartmess's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Octavia Bartmess accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Octavia Bartmess is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Octavia Bartmess online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Octavia Bartmess using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Octavia Bartmess work with?
Octavia Bartmess works with NATIVation Counseling, LLC.
Where is Octavia Bartmess's office located?
Octavia Bartmess has 3 office locations, including in New Harmony and St. Charles, view full addresses on Octavia Bartmess's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Octavia Bartmess?
Octavia Bartmess frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Octavia Bartmess on their profile.
What languages does Octavia Bartmess speak?
Octavia Bartmess speaks English.