Christine Barnes, LCSW, LICSW
About me
I am a seasoned, clinical social worker with ten years of experience with the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I treated veterans with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Prior to my work at the VA, I worked in nursing homes and community mental health centers where I provided psychotherapy and crisis intervention to individuals of all different ages and backgrounds.
First and foremost, I consider myself to be a trauma therapist, and I subscribe to the notion that most diagnoses are rooted in adverse experiences from the past. I've been described as "blunt" and "caring" by my clients due to my no-nonsense - yet compassionate - approach to therapy. I consider the greatest compliment that I've ever received to be "You are the person that tells me the truth that I don't want to hear." If you appreciate being called out when you're not being completely honest with yourself, then I just might be the right therapist for you.
I look forward to working with you!
Professional experience
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-harm, Self-love, Sex addiction, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Traumatic brain injury, Trichotillomania, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused Therapy
License information
OR LCSW L14846
TX LCSW 65872
ND LCSW 6278
WA LICSW LW61497985
OH LISW I.0900342-SUPV
IL LCSW 149.026635
MA LICSW 124969
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Christine Barnes. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
She has helped me so much over the last year and a half. I have found her advice to be straightforward and thought provoking. I value her opinions and ideas about how to move through my struggles.
Written on Apr 10, 2024 after therapy with Christine for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and career difficulties
I have only had a few sessions with her via telephone but she listens and allows me to get my issues out and helps with great ideas to calm myself. 100/10 recommend. Best therapist I’ve ever had
Written on Oct 26, 2023 after therapy with Christine for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes
She’s very blunt, and honest which is exactly what i needed.
Written on Oct 23, 2023 after therapy with Christine for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
I worked with Christine on anxiety and depression for 5 months. She helped me identify many self-limiting beliefs that promote my misery. She has also taught me methods to repair and heal. By changing my thoughts I can change how I feel long term. She is a great listener and straightforward with her advice. She helps me stay grounded in the present. She encouraged be radically honest with myself. She encouraged me to be true to my values. When I get tired of talking about my week and ask her to "play therapist" she teaches me great nuggets of wisdom. Highly recommend!
Written on May 27, 2023 after therapy with Christine for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and self esteem
Christine has been essential in my mental health improvement. She is authentic, doesn’t judge, but does shoot it to you straight, which is just what i need. She is amazing.
Written on Apr 18, 2023 after therapy with Christine for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
She’s fabulous. Life changing !!
Written on Jan 12, 2023 after therapy with Christine for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and relationship issues