Barbara Harris Whitfield

Barbara Sue Silverman Harris Whitfield born in Detroit Michigan in 1943, the daughter of Julius and Florence Silverman, sister to Marshall Silverman. Mother to Beth Graves, Steven Harris, Gary Harris, she had 5 grandchildren Jacob, Nicholas, Joseph, Ethan and Lilly plus one great grandchild Ellana.

Barbara Sue Silverman, RT, CMT grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, and attended Mumford High School. In 1975 her near death experience (NDE) transformed her from a materially-oriented housewife and mother into a spiritual crusader, going back to college to become a Respiratory Therapist, then a researcher at University of Connecticut Medical School and eventually becoming a Massage Therapist. In the 1980’s she became the first woman elected to the IANDS Board of Directors, past president and board member of the Kundalini Research Network, taught college courses in psycho-spiritual recovery from trauma and addiction, published ten books, numerous articles and chapters in other books on spiritual growth. She was a guest on many television shows (including Oprah) and was a faculty member of Rutgers University's School of Alcohol and Drug Studies and the Center for Sacred Studies.

From the mid 90’s through 2021 Barbara and her husband Dr. Charles Whitfield maintained a private practice in Atlanta, working with patients who suffered childhood trauma, co-dependence, spiritual emergence, addictions and depression, co-founding a long-running support group plus together writing 24 books to help people heal from spiritual and childhood trauma.

At 82 years old, professionally Barbara continued to write, consult and do interviews for her and Dr. Whitfield’s works.

Barbara Harris Whitfield, RT, CMT died Tuesday January 13, 2026 at 12:53am. She spent her final days celebrating surrounded by the love of four generations of family and friends.