Profile / United States
Iris Barahona, LICSW
District of Columbia
LICSW - Stress and Anxiety support
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness methods
- Motivational interviewing
About Iris
Iris Barahona is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in the District of Columbia with 10 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, depression, life changes, substance use concerns, family and parenting stress, low self-esteem, and career questions. Sessions focus on practical steps to reduce unhelpful thoughts and habits and build clearer ways to respond.
Iris uses straightforward conversation and collaborative planning to identify what matters most to each person. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice and test thinking patterns, client-centered methods to follow a person’s priorities, mindfulness strategies to calm the body and mind, and motivational interviewing to support changes people want to make. These methods are used as tools to address daily difficulties and build consistent routines.
In sessions she typically helps people break big problems into small, doable steps. Work might include tracking thoughts and behaviors, trying short experiments between meetings, and practicing present-moment attention. The aim is to reduce distress and increase practical skills for handling stressful moments.
Iris has background in mental health and substance use work. Her experience includes supporting adults through crises and substance use related issues in clinical settings. That practice informs how she supports people who are trying to make changes while managing complicated life demands.
Outside of work she spends time with family and friends, sews, and enjoys being outdoors when weather permits. She asks people to begin by using the site’s matching questionnaire and scheduling a first session to start the process.
How her approaches translate to online work
Iris commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT involves tracking situations, thoughts, and reactions, then testing small experiments to see what changes behavior or mood. Client-centered methods focus on following the person’s priorities and letting goals guide session work; this supports practical planning and decision making.Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process. Iris works collaboratively to choose approaches based on the person’s goals, preferences, and daily routines. She adjusts pacing and techniques together rather than imposing a plan from the start.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find online sessions useful because they can fit meetings into a work break, avoid travel time, or do short check-ins when life is busy. Online work also makes it easier to practice skills between sessions where challenges actually happen, so exercises and brief experiments can be integrated into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
District of Columbia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, depression, coping with life changes, addictions, family and parenting stress, self-esteem, and career concerns.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
She uses practical, collaborative work that focuses on noticing thoughts and habits, then trying different responses to see what helps.
What is her clinical background?
She has 10 years of experience in mental health and substance use work, supporting adults through crises and substance use related issues.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) practicing in the District of Columbia.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your 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.