Sara Barrientos, LCSW - Therapist in Illinois

About Sara

Sara Barrientos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 13 years of experience. She focuses on family and parenting concerns as well as stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and parenting struggles. She also supports people facing relationship problems, trauma and abuse, sleep trouble, anger, and bipolar-related challenges.

Sara works with older adults and caregiver stress as part of her broader practice. Sara uses straightforward, goal-oriented care. She aims to encourage and motivate clients to find workable solutions.

Background and approach

Sessions focus on practical steps, clearer communication, and managing day-to-day stressors. She emphasizes respect and meeting people where they are. Her clinical background includes group work in intensive outpatient settings for older adults.

For about a decade she led group therapy programs addressing depression and anxiety in senior citizens. Earlier work included children and families, at-risk homeless youth, and adolescent and adult behavioral health. In one-on-one work she helps people set personal goals and stay accountable to them.

She combines evidence-based techniques with simple, real-world strategies parents and families can use at home. The aim is steady, manageable progress rather than quick fixes. Clients can expect a compassionate, direct approach.

Conversations are practical and centered on the issues the family brings. She values clear communication and a collaborative tone when planning next steps.

How Sara’s approaches work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice their thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It’s often useful for stress, anxiety, grief, and life changes because it focuses on living a meaningful life despite difficult thoughts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, looks at unhelpful thinking patterns and builds different habits. CBT is practical and can help with anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and parenting stress. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Sara will talk with each person or family to figure out which methods fit their goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process where therapist and client try strategies and adjust them over time. Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into busy family schedules. Video calls and phone sessions allow face-to-face conversations without travel. Live chat and text-based messaging let parents check in between meetings or use shorter bursts of support. These options offer flexibility and make it simpler to keep consistent progress.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

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.

Existential Therapy

Takes the larger questions seriously: meaning, choice, mortality, responsibility. Suited to periods when the difficulty is less a symptom than a sense that something has to change.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

Sara works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and parenting concerns. She also addresses relationship issues, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, anger, and bipolar-related challenges.

How would you describe her therapy style?

She uses a compassionate, encouraging approach that focuses on practical steps. Sessions aim to set goals, improve communication, and create manageable routines for families.

What is her professional background?

She has practiced in social work since 2007 and has 13 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has experience with group and individual care across age groups.

Where is she licensed and practicing?

She holds an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, IL LCSW 149.018318, and practices in Illinois.

Does she offer sessions in other languages or internationally?

Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.

What formats are available for sessions?

Sessions may take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options provide flexibility around schedules and family needs.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 13 years
Licensed: Illinois
Languages: English

Next step

Talk to Sara

Takes a few minutes
Nothing to set up just to look
Stop at any point

Book with Sara