- Client-centered
- Mindfulness
- Solution-focused
About Barbara
Barbara "Barb" Kroening is an Iowa LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker) with 12 years of clinical experience. She works with adults dealing with family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting stress, anxiety, depression, and related issues such as ADHD and addictions. Barb is direct and practical in her approach and focuses on helping people take the next realistic step forward.
Barb uses client-centered methods to help people talk through what matters most to them. She also draws on mindfulness techniques to manage strong feelings and on solution-focused tools to identify small, achievable changes. Motivational interviewing is part of how she supports people who are ambivalent about change, and she applies trauma-focused methods when past events are getting in the way of daily life.
People often come to her for help with relationship and intimacy-related concerns, blended family issues, caregiver stress, or coping with life changes like grief and career shifts. She has experience working with immigration-related matters and first responder issues. Her background includes supporting people with anger, hoarding, and end-of-life caregiving stress.
Sessions are practical and conversational. Barb listens for patterns that keep people stuck and offers clear, actionable options. She aims to help clients practice new ways of responding so that small efforts add up to meaningful change.
Barb works with adults in Iowa and conducts sessions in English. Prospective clients are encouraged to confirm current session options before booking and to use the site's matching steps to schedule an initial appointment.
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
Barb uses client-centered therapy to focus on each person's own priorities and choices. This approach emphasizes listening and collaborating so the client's goals guide the work. It is helpful for people who want support sorting out values, decisions, and next steps.She also integrates mindfulness techniques to help people notice and tolerate difficult feelings without reacting immediately. Mindfulness can be useful for anxiety, anger, sleep problems, and stress that comes from busy or blended-household life. Motivational interviewing appears when someone feels unsure about making a change; it helps clarify reasons to change and builds commitment without pressure.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Barb will discuss options and try methods that fit a client's needs, goals, and preferences. That process is collaborative and may shift as progress is made.
The practical benefit of online work is making sessions fit into everyday life. Confirm the specific session formats available before booking, since the biography does not list formats. Many people find online sessions easier to fit around work, caregiving, or travel, and some options allow for shorter check-ins or phone-only conversations when video is not ideal. Licensed professionals can adapt client-centered, mindfulness, and motivational work to remote sessions to keep focus on what the client wants to change.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with adults on family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and related life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is practical and conversational, using client-centered listening, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused techniques.
What is her clinical experience?
She has 12 years of clinical experience supporting people with substance issues, anger, trauma histories, relationship and parenting concerns, and immigration-related matters.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is an LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker) licensed in Iowa and provides services to adults in that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session through the site.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.