Barbara Defazzio, LMHC

Barbara Defazzio is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida with 40 years of professional experience. She has spent decades helping people cope with trauma, anxiety, stress, grief, and family concerns. She often works with people affected by sexual and physical abuse and with those who experienced foster care or adoption challenges.

Barbara previously ran a private practice in Massachusetts for over 20 years where she focused on sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress. Since relocating to Florida she has continued that focus while also supporting people dealing with family conflicts and life changes. She brings long-term clinical experience to each conversation.

Her approach is practical and person-centered. Sessions emphasize clear goals, straightforward coping strategies, and attention to each person's story. She uses methods that help people name what is happening, change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and build small steps toward better functioning.

Barbara also works with caregivers and people managing the stresses that come from supporting others. She can help with communication problems, feelings of isolation, and guilt or shame that often follow difficult family situations. Her work includes attention to attachment, blended family issues, and aging and geriatric concerns.

If someone is nervous about starting therapy she invites a calm first step. Prospective clients can begin by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire to schedule a session according to therapist availability.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Barbara draws on client-centered therapy to make sessions focused on each person's needs. This approach starts by listening closely and letting the client's priorities steer the work, which can help people who feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin.

She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT to help identify and change thoughts and behaviors that make stress and anxiety worse. CBT is useful for practical changes like managing worry, improving sleep, and breaking unhelpful patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist and client will review goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, then adapt tools and pacing as needed. This is collaborative and may shift over time as progress is made.

Session formats were not specified in the provided biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by removing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins during breaks, or offering alternatives when camera use is difficult. Licensed professionals can help arrange a plan that fits a client's schedule and daily demands.