PuttingFamilyFirst

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IB Portrait of Iris Barahona
Online therapist

Iris Barahona

Supportive therapy for stress and parenting

Credentials
LICSW
Experience
10 years
Licensed in
District of Columbia
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Iris

Iris Barahona offers a calm, steady presence for people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, or parenting challenges. She writes plainly and listens closely so clients feel heard. Her approach centers on practical steps to reduce overwhelm and find clearer next moves.

She creates a supportive space where conversations focus on the client’s goals. Therapy is collaborative - Iris helps guide clients toward answers they may already hold. Sessions often address self-esteem, coping with life changes, and patterns that keep people stuck.

Background and approach

Iris uses techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing to make change feel doable. She helps clients notice unhelpful thoughts, try different actions, and build small habits that add up. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW, practicing in the District of Columbia.

Iris has ten years of experience working in mental health and substance use settings, including support for people in crisis related to those areas. Outside of work she prioritizes time with family and friends and enjoys sewing and being outdoors when the weather allows. Those simple routines are part of how she manages stress and stays grounded.

If someone wants clear, compassionate help with parenting, family matters, or managing anxiety and life changes, Iris aims to make the process straightforward and supportive.

Online methods and practical approaches for everyday problems

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and creating a nonjudgmental space so clients can find their own solutions; it helps when someone needs to clarify values and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions link together and teaches simple strategies to change upsetting patterns and improve mood and coping.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Iris will work with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. She adjusts her plan over time based on what helps most and what feels doable for the client.

Online therapy offers several flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options let people fit sessions into busy schedules and keep therapy going when life gets hectic. The range of formats also allows short check-ins or longer sessions depending on what the person needs and prefers.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Iris address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, depression, parenting and family matters, self-esteem, career questions, addictions, and coping with life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is collaborative and client-centered, focusing on listening first and then working together on practical steps and goals.
What training and background does she bring?
Iris is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with ten years of experience in mental health and substance use settings.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She holds a DC LICSW with licence number LC50080606 and practices in the District of Columbia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the country work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How do I get started with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Experience
10 years
Licensed
District of Columbia
Languages
English

Next step

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