- Stress and anxiety
- Depression support
- Life purpose work
About Sara
Sara Barrientos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 13 years of experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem, and coping with life changes, and she lists life purpose among her focus areas.
Sara draws on practical, goal-oriented methods in session. She often uses techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful patterns and take small steps toward clearer priorities. She also incorporates solution-focused ideas to set short-term goals and review progress.
Sessions are conversational and direct. Sara listens for what matters to each person and helps pick concrete strategies to try between meetings. She checks in on how those steps felt and adjusts plans as needed.
Her background includes work with adolescent and adult behavioral health, at-risk homeless youth, and senior citizens. For the past decade she has worked in an intensive outpatient group program for older adults dealing with depression and anxiety, and she has additional experience supporting people with parenting and relationship concerns.
People often come to her when a life change or loss leaves them unsure what to do next. She helps identify values, practical next steps, and ways to manage strong emotions while moving forward. The focus is on usable tools and clearer decisions, not on quick fixes.
How therapeutic approaches and online work come together
Sara commonly draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ACT helps people clarify what matters to them and practice small actions that align with those values, which can be useful after big life changes. CBT looks at the thoughts and behaviors that keep stress and low mood going and teaches concrete strategies to change them.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to identify which methods fit their situation, goals, and preferences. Over a few sessions she checks what helps and adjusts the plan together.
The biography did not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow for shorter check-ins when time is limited, or remove the need to travel to an appointment. Therapists generally aim to use approaches like ACT and CBT in ways that match a person's daily routine and responsibilities, focusing on practical steps and reviewable progress.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem, coping with life changes, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, sleep problems, parenting, anger, bipolar, and related areas such as life purpose and caregiver stress.
How would she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
She uses practical, goal-oriented approaches including ACT and CBT to notice patterns and test small changes. Work focuses on clear next steps and reviewing what helps in daily life.
What is her professional background?
She has 13 years of experience in social work. Her roles have included work with at-risk homeless youth, adolescent and adult behavioral health, and senior citizens, including a decade in an intensive outpatient program for older adults.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds an LCSW credential and is licensed in Illinois.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are used?
The original biography did not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.