Christine Barnes , LCSW

Christine Barnes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who brings years of experience working with people facing trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, and substance use. She spent a decade at the Department of Veterans Affairs providing care to veterans with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, and earlier in her career she practiced in nursing homes and community mental health centers offering psychotherapy and crisis intervention to clients across the age spectrum and varied backgrounds.

She identifies primarily as a trauma therapist and views many clinical symptoms as rooted in adverse life experiences. That perspective shapes a practical, results-oriented approach that balances direct feedback with empathy. Clients have described her as "blunt" and "caring," and she considers one of the highest compliments to be the remark, "You are the person that tells me the truth that I don't want to hear." For people who respond to straightforward, compassionate guidance and a focus on processing difficult experiences, Christine may be an effective fit.

As an LCSW, she draws on clinical social work training to address a wide range of concerns, and she aims to help clients move from survival to greater functioning and self-understanding. She looks forward to working with new clients.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Trauma Care

Christine uses trauma-focused therapy to help clients process and make sense of painful or overwhelming events. This approach centers on addressing traumatic memories and their ongoing impact, and it is often applied when symptoms are linked to past abuse, violence, or other adverse experiences.

She also integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps clients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is practical and skill-oriented, and it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Mindfulness therapy is another component of her work, teaching present-focused attention and acceptance strategies that can reduce distress and improve emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Christine works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, adapting methods over time so therapy remains responsive and useful.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to fit care into a busy life, maintain continuity when schedules change, and access therapists from different locations. These formats support flexible pacing and consistent contact, helping clients engage in meaningful work without added travel or logistical barriers.