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SB Portrait of Sara Barrientos

Sara Barrientos

Compassionate practical therapy for life transitions

LCSW Illinois

Experience
13 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Sara

About Sara

Sara Barrientos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 13 years of experience helping people cope with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem challenges, and a range of life transitions.

Background and approach

She has spent much of her recent career supporting older adults in an intensive outpatient group program that focused on depression and anxiety, and she also brings experience with parenting concerns, relationship difficulties, loss, and trauma. Her style centers on encouraging clients to identify practical steps and personal values that guide change.

She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy alongside solution-focused and existential ideas to help clients explore patterns of thought, build skills for everyday life, and clarify what matters most. Colleagues describe her approach as compassionate and motivating, with an emphasis on collaboration and accountability.

Based in Illinois, she offers a supportive setting for people navigating sleep problems, intimacy-related concerns, anger, bipolar symptoms, caregiver stress, aging and geriatric issues, and other life stressors. Sara aims to meet clients where they are and to help them pursue the goals they set for themselves with practical tools and steady encouragement.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Remote Care

Many clients benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and developing practical skills to reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) complements that work by helping people clarify personal values, accept difficult emotions, and commit to meaningful action even when discomfort is present.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to understand their goals, preferences, and daily realities, and together they will adapt methods to fit what the client needs most rather than applying a single technique rigidly.

Online sessions make this collaborative work accessible through flexible formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options allow people to access consistent support from licensed professionals without rearranging major parts of their lives, and they can be used to practice skills, check in between appointments, and maintain momentum toward personal goals.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Sara commonly address?
Sara works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem, coping with life changes, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping difficulties, parenting, anger, and bipolar symptoms.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?
She emphasizes a compassionate, encouraging, and collaborative style that helps clients set goals and build skills. Sara uses CBT, ACT, existential, and solution-focused ideas to combine practical strategies with values-based exploration.
What is her professional background and experience?
She has worked in social work since 2007 and has 13 years of clinical experience, including a decade in an intensive outpatient group program for senior citizens with depression and anxiety.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed in Illinois as an LCSW with license number IL LCSW 149.018318 and provides services to clients located in Illinois.
Which languages does she offer sessions in?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available for working together?
She offers multiple remote formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How are fees handled for therapy with her?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What should someone do to begin therapy with Sara?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsForgivenessLife purposeMoney and financial issuesPregnancy and childbirth

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English