Fluent in Arabic, English, and Kurdish, Ghazal Barakat uses her cultural and linguistic expertise to connect with her patients and provide culturally sensitive behavioral healthcare. Drawing from her personal journey of living in a refugee camp and adapting to life as a refugee, Ghazal has a unique ability to relate to patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. She’s passionate about building trust and understanding with every individual she encounters.

Ghazal chose Bluestem Health because she recognized it as an organization dedicated to serving patients from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities. Having started her healthcare career here as an interpreter, she knew this was the patient base she wanted to serve. Now, with her MSW (Master of Social Work) and PLMHP (Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner) credentials, she collaborates closely with primary care providers to offer comprehensive, on-site support to our patients.

Supporting individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds is particularly important to Ghazal, given her own experience as a former refugee. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health by normalizing conversations about it within medical settings. Ghazal works with patients of all ages and encourages everyone to view mental healthcare as an essential part of their overall well-being.

Outside of her professional life, Ghazal enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews and taking her dog for walks. She incorporates mindfulness practices into her routine, which she also shares with her patients to help them manage stress and improve their mental health.

Ghazal looks forward to contributing to the expansion of mental health and social work services at Bluestem Health’s Main Clinic. Her dedication to her patients and the community is evident in her holistic and empathetic approach to behavioral healthcare.