Her Story
About Denise
Denise Barnes, MA, SC, LLPC, is a dedicated educator and school counselor who has devoted 30 years to serving students in Detroit, Michigan. Beginning her career as an English teacher, Denise discovered a passion for guiding and mentoring young people, which led her to transition into counseling. For the past 18 years, she has worked as a counselor with the Detroit Board of Education, helping students navigate academic, personal, and career challenges while encouraging them to become confident, authentic individuals prepared for the next stage of their lives. Her work includes supporting college and career readiness, credit recovery, coping and life skills, grief counseling, and student leadership initiatives.
Denise earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1996 before completing a Master of Arts in Counselor Education and School Counseling at the University of Detroit Mercy in 2008. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to professional growth and lifelong learning while actively contributing to her school community as a lead counselor and advisor for student programs, including the National Honor Society. Her exceptional dedication has earned her numerous honors, including the Golden Apple Counselor of the Year Award and the City of Detroit Spirit Award in 2025, recognizing her lasting impact on students, families, and the broader community.
Grounded in her faith, authenticity, and a deep commitment to service, Denise attributes her success to the unwavering support of her family and her belief in treating others with kindness and respect. Beyond her professional responsibilities, she is an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, participates in cancer awareness initiatives, grief counseling groups, and church outreach programs, and enjoys walking, cooking, writing, attending and supporting her church, spending time with her five godchildren, and following race cars. Among her greatest accomplishments is watching generations of students graduate and move confidently into college, careers, and adulthood—an achievement that continues to inspire her lifelong dedication to education and counseling.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Denise
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my family and my strong faith in God. Their encouragement, guidance, and belief in me have given me the strength and resilience to overcome challenges and continue pursuing my goals.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always treat people the way I want to be treated. Leading with respect, kindness, and integrity helps build strong relationships, fosters trust, and creates a positive and lasting impact in both my professional and personal life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to prioritize self-care and remember that it’s okay to have difficult days. You can’t effectively care for or support others unless you first take care of yourself. Most importantly, make sure you have a genuine passion for this work, because that passion will sustain you through both the challenges and the rewards of your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is ensuring that counselors' voices are heard and valued by leadership. Counselors offer important insights that can positively impact outcomes, and greater collaboration between administration and counseling professionals creates stronger support systems for those we serve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are my faith, authenticity, and treating others the way I want to be treated. These principles guide my decisions, shape my relationships, and inspire me to lead with compassion, integrity, and respect every day.
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