Profile / United States
Barbara Austin, LISW-CP
South Carolina
LISW-CP in South Carolina - anxiety and relationships
See online therapy options- Stress and anxiety
- Parenting challenges
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
About Barbara
Barbara Austin is a South Carolina licensed independent social worker with LISW-CP and 25 years of clinical experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, relationship and intimacy concerns, trauma and abuse, and issues related to self-esteem and life change.
She uses straightforward, conversational sessions to map what is currently happening in a person's life. Sessions focus on noticing unhelpful thoughts and habits and trying different ways of responding. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one approach she uses to look at thinking patterns and behaviors. She also draws on attachment-based and narrative ideas to understand relationship patterns and personal stories.
Barbara emphasizes practical steps people can try between sessions. That can include short experiments, new ways to talk to yourself, or small behavior changes to test what helps. She frames these activities as options to consider rather than fixed rules.
Her work pays attention to family of origin issues, communication problems, codependency, guilt and shame, and women's health concerns such as pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum depression. She also supports people exploring LGBT issues, life purpose, and self-love.
People who choose her tend to want direct, structured conversation about what is getting in the way of daily functioning. She offers a steady, question-based approach that aims to break large problems into manageable steps.
How her approaches translate to online work
Barbara uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thought patterns and try small behavior changes that can shift mood and function. CBT is practical and problem-focused, which can make it easy to structure into short online check-ins or weekly sessions. Attachment-Based Therapy is used to examine how early relationship patterns affect current interactions and closeness, helping people notice recurring dynamics in partnerships or friendships.Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with the client to choose which methods to emphasize based on current goals and what feels most useful. That means trying techniques, reviewing what helped, and adjusting the plan together rather than sticking to a single method from the start.
The practical benefits of online work are about fitting therapy into everyday life. Online sessions can make it easier to schedule appointments around work, childcare, or other responsibilities. If you want to know which session formats are offered, confirm the current options before booking so you can select what fits your routine and needs. The focus will be on clear, structured sessions that connect therapeutic tools to daily situations.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
South Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, and related topics such as codependency and self-esteem.
How does she use CBT in sessions?
She uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, then tests alternative responses through small, practical steps and in-session discussion.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience in counseling and social work practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LISW-CP credential and practices in South Carolina.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.