- 40 years experience
- Trauma and PTSD
- Family concerns
About Barbara
Barbara Defazzio is a licensed mental health counselor with 40 years of experience. She practices in Florida and has spent decades helping people recover from trauma and cope with stress and major life changes. Barbara focuses on practical steps people can use right away to feel steadier.
Her background includes more than 20 years running a private practice in Massachusetts, where she worked extensively with sexual abuse survivors. She has long experience treating post-traumatic stress related to abuse and continued that work after relocating to Florida. She also supports people who experienced foster care and those navigating adoption and post-adoption family adjustments.
Barbara often helps with anxiety, grief, family conflict, and the fallout from significant losses. She works with clients on communication problems, caregiver stress, and issues that come up in blended families. She also addresses feelings of isolation, guilt, and shame.
Her approach blends client-centered conversation with methods that focus on solving problems and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She uses tools from trauma-focused work when past events are the main concern. Sessions are straightforward and goal-oriented, aimed at helping people regain control of daily life.
Parents and caregivers reading this will find a calm, experienced clinician who emphasizes steady progress. Taking the first step can feel hard, and she invites prospective clients to begin with a simple matching questionnaire and schedule a session when ready.
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Barbara blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral therapy to help people manage current problems and change unhelpful thinking patterns. Client-centered therapy focuses on active listening and building a supportive relationship so clients can set the pace. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and offers concrete strategies to reduce anxiety and improve daily functioning.She also uses trauma-focused approaches when past events are central to a person's struggles. That work typically involves carefully addressing traumatic memories and learning skills to reduce symptoms and build resilience. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which approach, or mix of approaches, fits best based on needs, goals, and preferences.
Because session formats are not listed in the biography, confirm current session options before booking. Many people find online therapy helpful because it makes it easier to fit appointments around work, school, and caregiving. Online sessions can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, and make it simpler to maintain continuity of care after moving. Licensed professionals can use a mix of techniques that translate well to remote work, and the therapist will tailor methods to the realities of your day-to-day life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Credentials
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
Barbara helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include attachment issues, caregiver stress, and post-traumatic stress.
How would you describe her therapy style?
She uses a client-centered style that emphasizes listening and collaboration. She combines that with solution-focused and cognitive behavioral approaches to set practical goals.
What is her professional background?
She brings 40 years of professional experience and more than 20 years running a private practice in Massachusetts. Much of her work has focused on sexual and physical trauma and PTSD.
Which credentials and location are on record?
She is a licensed mental health counselor - LMHC - and practices in Florida.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Do you accept clients outside the United States?
International clients are accepted; confirm any time-zone or scheduling details during booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.