Barri Lentini
I’m a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience supporting adolescents, adults, and older adults through life’s challenges. I provide a warm and supportive space where you can feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and experiences. I have extensive experience helping clients manage anxiety, depression, and the emotional impact of chronic health conditions. I focus on practical coping skills and meaningful lifestyle changes that can help you feel more in control of your day-to-day life.
I have extensive experience helping clients manage anxiety, depression, and the emotional impact of chronic health conditions, with a focus on practical coping skills and meaningful lifestyle changes.
My approach is collaborative and goal-oriented. We’ll work together to better understand what you’re going through and create a plan that fits your needs. I aim to help you build insight, strengthen resilience, and develop tools that support a more balanced and fulfilling life.
First session
In your first session with me, you can expect a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where we focus on getting to know you and what brings you to therapy. I will ask questions about your current concerns, background, and goals so I can understand your experiences and what you hope to gain from counseling. We will also discuss how therapy works, identify initial goals, and begin outlining a plan tailored to your needs, so you leave with a clear sense of direction and next steps. In our ongoing sessions, we’ll check in on how you’ve been feeling and what’s come up since we last met. Together, we’ll explore your thoughts, emotions, and patterns in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful. I’ll support you in building practical skills such as coping strategies, emotional regulation, and communication to help you handle challenges with more confidence. We’ll move at your pace and adjust goals as you grow.
Strengths
As a therapist, I believe in compassionate, practical, and tailored plans for each individual. I combine evidence-based methods with a warm, collaborative style so clients feel supported while also gaining concrete tools they can use in daily life. My focus is on helping clients build insight, develop coping skills, and see measurable progress toward feeling more balanced, confident, and capable in managing life’s challenges.
Ideal clients
I am best positioned to serve individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, and challenges with interpersonal relationships, particularly in family settings or work. I work well with clients who are motivated to better understand their thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns, and who are open to developing healthier coping strategies. My approach is especially helpful for those looking to improve communication skills, set and maintain boundaries, and navigate conflict in a more effective and confident manner. I support clients in building emotional awareness, increasing self-confidence, and strengthening problem-solving abilities to manage both everyday stressors and more complex life challenges. I am also well-suited to work with individuals who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward, and who are seeking practical tools and guidance to improve their overall functioning and quality of life. Clients who are willing to engage in self-reflection and apply strategies outside of sessions tend to benefit most from my approach.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help patients better understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier ways of responding to stress and emotional challenges. I incorporate psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, coping skills, and practical strategies to help reduce anxiety and depression, strengthen communication and relationships, and manage the emotional impact of chronic pain. My approach is collaborative, supportive, and goal-oriented, with an emphasis on building skills that patients can apply in their everyday lives. I work with each patient to set realistic goals, track progress, and create meaningful, lasting changes that improve overall functioning and quality of life.
Compassion Focused
I use Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to help clients develop a kinder, more supportive relationship with themselves, particularly when experiencing shame, self-criticism, or emotional distress. I provide psychoeducation and teach practical skills such as compassionate imagery, soothing-rhythm breathing, and compassionate self-talk to promote emotional regulation and reduce self-judgment. Through this approach, clients develop greater emotional safety, resilience, and self-acceptance, strengthening their ability to cope with distress and supporting overall mental health and well-being.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Licensed in
- New JerseyLicense 44SC05351400
- New YorkLicense 098030