Barbara Popa

Barbara Popa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Indiana with eight years of mental health and addictions experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, and problems tied to addiction. She also supports those trying to regain self-esteem or cope with big life changes. Her style centers on practical, person-focused conversation. Sessions often include straightforward goal-setting, tools to manage anxiety, and steps to reduce substance use. She uses techniques from cognitive behavioral approaches and motivational interviewing to help clients consider choices and try new behaviors. Barbara also draws on client-centered and solution-focused methods to keep work grounded and action-oriented. That means sessions may focus on what’s working now and small next steps a person can try between meetings. Dialectical behavior elements can appear when someone needs skills for regulating strong emotions and reducing impulsive actions. She offers Christian-based services when requested and brings a direct, positive manner to sessions. Humor is part of how she works for some people, alongside structured plans and clear suggestions. Her approach is collaborative - she asks questions, listens, and helps people set practical tasks. People often come to her asking how to cope after a breakup, handle panic attacks, change drinking or drug habits, or figure out life purpose. She helps people break big problems into manageable actions and review what works as they go.

How her clinical approaches translate to online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so the person leads the topics and goals. Online sessions using this approach tend to prioritize what the client wants to address and build plans from there.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. In an online setting this often means setting clear practice tasks and reviewing progress between sessions to reduce anxiety or depressive patterns.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides concrete skills for regulating intense emotions and reducing impulsive behavior. When used remotely, DBT-style teaching can include short skill drills and regular check-ins to practice those skills in daily life.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Barbara will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjust the plan as progress is reviewed.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, allow shorter check-ins when helpful, and reduce travel time. These practical benefits help people try therapy while balancing work, family, or other commitments.