In a world where emotional disconnection has become the norm, Dr. Carla M Barry is on a mission to change the narrative. A retired U.S. Navy Commander, Certified Relationship Coach, Accredited Event Designer, and visionary healer, she’s empowering individuals and couples to rediscover meaningful relationships, redefine self-worth, and rebuild lives—from the inside out.
At the helm of Embracing Hope Relationship Coaching in Chesapeake, Virginia, Dr. Carla is a modern-day guide, using compassion, structure, and spirituality to awaken joy and authenticity in the lives she touches.
From Battlefield to Breakthroughs: Her Military Journey
27 Years of Service with Soul
Before becoming a beacon of emotional healing, Dr. Carla Barry served 27 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, offering spiritual and emotional support to sailors, officers, and families in moments of uncertainty, grief, and transition. Her role demanded strength, discernment, and radical empathy—qualities that now form the foundation of her coaching approach.
Retired as Commander, Living as a Leader
Achieving the rank of Commander speaks to a career filled with integrity, sacrifice, and leadership excellence. Dr. Carla’s military service isn’t just a footnote—it’s the forge where her commitment to human dignity and emotional resilience was refined.
From Uniform to Unshakable Understanding
Her transition from military chaplaincy to coaching wasn’t a pivot—it was an evolution. She brings the same tactical clarity and emotional depth to her sessions that once supported warriors through life’s fiercest battles. Her coaching is shaped by real-life crisis, not just theory.
Embracing Hope: A Coaching Sanctuary
What Makes Her Coaching Unique
As a Certified Relationship Coach, Dr. Carla offers a coaching experience that is equal parts tough love and tender guidance. She helps clients cut through confusion to confront the root causes of broken trust, communication breakdowns, and emotional stagnation.
Coaching at Every Relationship Stage
From first dates to 40-year marriages, from heartbreak to healing—Dr. Carla meets you exactly where you are. She helps couples rebuild connection and empowers individuals to leave unhealthy patterns behind and embrace their true worth.
Tools Rooted in Evidence and Spirit
Her coaching combines:
- Faith-based principles
- Evidence-backed methods
- Emotional intelligence training
- Inner narrative rewrites
Together, these tools dismantle self-defeating beliefs and lay the foundation for conscious connection and personal transformation.
The Magic Behind “A Symphony of Dreams”
An Adult Prom Like No Other
With her flair for celebration and symbolism, Dr. Carla created “A Symphony of Dreams”—a stunning adult prom experience that revives the innocence, joy, and sparkle of youth for grown-ups who may have missed out or simply want a do-over drenched in elegance.
Celebration with Purpose
More than a glamorous evening, this event represents reclaiming joy, honoring inner healing, and celebrating life milestones in style. It’s where nostalgia meets transformation, and fun meets freedom.
Nationally Honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
A 2024 Recognition of Impact
In 2024, Dr. Carla received one of the nation’s highest civilian honors: The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. This accolade recognizes her decades of distinguished service, both in the military and in the realm of emotional wellness and relationship restoration.
Legacy in Action
Her award is not just a symbol of past accomplishments, but a spotlight on her ongoing commitment to elevating humanity through love, compassion, and healing conversations.
Designing Experiences That Heal and Inspire
Accredited Event Designer & Creative Visionary
Dr. Carla’s creative side shines through her work as an Accredited Event Designer. Her attention to beauty, emotion, and symbolism is reflected in every floral arrangement, balloon arch, and themed celebration she creates. Each design is an extension of her belief that life’s moments deserve celebration.
Public Speaking with Purpose
As a motivational speaker, Dr. Carla captivates audiences with her blend of humor, hard-earned wisdom, and heartfelt storytelling. Her speeches are less about hype and more about healing, hope, and human connection.
A Rising Voice in National Media
Featured in Prestigious Publications
From New York Weekly to CEO Weekly, San Francisco Post, and Celebrity News, Dr. Carla’s work has reached a national audience. Her growing presence affirms what her clients have known for years: she is a game-changer in the emotional wellness space.
A Message That Resonates Across Borders
Her methodology isn’t just effective—it’s universal. Across cultures and continents, her message of self-worth, connection, and clarity is changing lives.
Transforming Lives, One Relationship at a Time
A Safe Space for Vulnerability and Truth
Dr. Carla creates an environment where people feel safe to unpack their pain, confront their fears, and explore their potential. Her sessions are judgment-free, heart-led, and powerfully clarifying.
Testimonials of Transformation
Clients consistently describe her as:
- “A divine intervention”
- “The coach who finally saw me”
- “The reason I found myself again”
These aren’t just kind words—they’re evidence of deep, lasting transformation.
Serving Chesapeake—and the World
Local Roots, Global Vision
While based in Chesapeake, VA, Dr. Carla’s coaching extends globally through virtual sessions, online programs, and speaking engagements. Her vision is to heal hearts across the world, starting with one conversation at a time.
Creating a Ripple of Healing
When one person heals, families shift, communities grow stronger, and cultures evolve. Dr. Carla’s work is a ripple effect of restoration.
Her Core Philosophy: Clarity, Connection, and Courage
Dr. Carla teaches that everyone deserves deep, soul-affirming connection—but it starts with self-love. Her clients learn to:
- Break generational trauma cycles
- Rewrite their internal narratives
- Embrace healthy boundaries
- Step into powerful self-awareness
With clarity comes confidence. And with confidence comes a life lived in truth.
What’s Next for Embracing Hope?
Future Plans and Global Reach
Dr. Carla is expanding her offerings to include:
- Online courses
- Global retreats
- A podcast focused on healing conversations
- A new line of self-discovery tools
Her mission? To help as many people as possible rediscover the hope they thought they lost.
Ready to Rebuild Your Relationship or Reclaim Your Worth?
Visit Dr. Carla’s official site: 🌐 www.embracehope.online
Whether you’re struggling in love, lost in self-doubt, or simply seeking more from life—Dr. Carla M Barry is ready to walk the path with you.
Final Word: Your Breakthrough Begins with Hope
Dr. Carla isn’t just a coach. She’s a commander of compassion. A designer of dreams. A healer of hearts. Her work is about more than fixing relationships—it’s about rebuilding people from the inside out.
