Iris Barahona, LICSW

Iris Barahona is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in the District of Columbia. She focuses on helping people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, life changes, relationship strain, and addictions. Iris aims to create a calm, respectful space where people feel heard and understood as they take the step to seek help.

She approaches therapy as a team effort. Sessions focus on identifying goals and finding practical steps toward them. Iris uses mindfulness and skill-building to reduce stress and ease self-defeating thoughts. She also draws on motivational techniques to support change when people feel stuck.

Her background includes a decade of professional practice and extensive work in mental health and substance use settings. That experience informs a steady, pragmatic style that helps people move toward better emotional balance and clearer choices. Iris encourages exploring new directions that can improve self-esteem and relationships.

Outside of work she values time with family and friends, sewing, and being outdoors when the weather allows. She describes these things as simple ways to relieve stress and restore perspective.

If someone is ready to try therapy, Iris offers an inviting first step. The process begins with a short matching questionnaire and scheduling based on therapist availability.

How Iris's Approaches Translate to Online Work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and helping people set their own goals. In online sessions this means the therapist follows the client’s lead while offering empathy and practical feedback to clarify next steps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is about spotting unhelpful thoughts and trying different behaviors. Online CBT sessions typically use short, focused conversations plus simple exercises people can try between meetings to reduce anxiety and improve mood.

Motivational Interviewing helps when someone feels unsure about change. It uses short, respectful questions to build motivation and break big goals into manageable steps, which works well in regular online check-ins.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will collaborate with each person to pick methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice can change over time as progress is made.

Confirm the available session formats before booking since the biography does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - they often reduce travel time, allow quicker check-ins during a work break, and let people join from different locations when needed. Ask about format options to match scheduling and communication needs.