Barbara Ackeret-Smith, LCSW

Barbara Ackeret-Smith is a Licensed Certified Social Worker with 35 years of practice. She helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship worries, and family concerns. Her manner is warm and easy-going, and she aims to connect through empathy, listening, and a bit of humor.

She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered therapy as her main approaches. Barbara adjusts how she works to fit each person's needs. In sessions she listens closely, offers practical ways to reduce symptoms, and helps people try new ways of handling problems.

Her experience includes depressive and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, and issues that follow physical disability or chronic pain. She has also supported people facing severe mental health challenges and personality disorders. Her background includes work with hospice patients and their families around end-of-life concerns.

Barbara has worked with people across the lifespan and with many different life situations. She focuses on understanding the person's story and finding steps that make daily life easier. She invites clients to share their concerns and to work together toward realistic goals.

Her approach balances practical techniques with respect for each person's experience. Barbara aims to create a collaborative space where clients can name their difficulties and build strategies to manage them.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online care

Barbara uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered techniques in her work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small changes in behavior to reduce stress and anxiety. Client-centered work prioritizes listening, empathy, and helping the person feel understood while they find their own solutions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Barbara will talk with each person about their needs and goals and adjust methods over time. Together they decide which techniques feel most useful and practical for day-to-day life.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also help people access experienced licensed professionals from different locations while working on stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship, and family concerns.