PuttingFamilyFirst

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BA Portrait of Barbara Ackeret-Smith
Online therapist

Barbara Ackeret-Smith

Compassionate social worker for family challenges

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
35 years
Licensed in
Arkansas
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Barbara

Barbara Ackeret-Smith is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) with 35 years of experience. She helps families and individuals facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and relationship or family difficulties. Her manner is warm and easy-going, and she uses empathy and listening to connect with people.

She works with people of many ages and different situations. Barbara commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered therapy. She adapts her way of working to fit the needs of each person she meets.

Background and approach

In her long career she has supported people with depressive and anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress. She has also worked with serious mental health concerns and personality disorders. Her experience includes helping with adjustment to physical disability and pain, and supporting caregivers and older adults.

Barbara has supported families through marital and family challenges and helped hospice patients and their families as they face death and dying. She brings listening, empathy, and sometimes humor into sessions to help people talk through difficult topics. She approaches therapy as a collaborative process, showing respect for each person’s story.

Barbara aims to find practical ways forward with clients and looks forward to hearing concerns and working toward solutions.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online support

Barbara commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.

She also uses client-centered therapy. That means the therapist listens without judgment and follows the person's pace. This approach helps people feel heard and more able to explore feelings and relationship concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and then suggest techniques that fit. Decisions about methods are made collaboratively and can change as needs change.

Online therapy makes these approaches more accessible. Video calls let a clinician and client meet face to face from different places. Phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging offer shorter or more flexible ways to check in between longer sessions. These options help people fit therapy into busy family routines and reach licensed professionals from wherever they are.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Barbara help with?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family issues.
How would she describe her therapy style?
Her approach is warm and easy-going with an emphasis on empathy and listening. She adapts techniques to match each person's needs.
What background does she bring to sessions?
She has 35 years of experience working with clients of many ages and a wide range of issues, including severe mental health concerns and caregiving challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker, AR LCSW 891-C, and practices in Arkansas.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be held by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Experience
35 years
Licensed
Arkansas
Languages
English

Next step

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