- Person-centered help
- Practical goal focus
- Mindfulness based
About Barbara
Barbara "Barb" Kroening offers a straightforward, nonjudgmental space for people who are worn down by stress, grief, relationship strain, or struggles with substance use. She emphasizes honest conversation and gentle encouragement so people can take the next step toward feeling better. Barb holds an LISW, which stands for Licensed Independent Social Worker, and brings 12 years of experience to her work in Iowa.
Barb meets people where they are and helps them set manageable goals. She listens for what matters most and uses practical, person-focused strategies to address problems. Sessions tend to be conversational and focused on immediate needs rather than long lists of technical terms.
Her experience includes supporting people through trauma and abuse, grief and loss, parenting challenges, and addiction concerns. She also works with issues like anxiety, depression, anger, sleep problems, and questions about life purpose. Codependency and attachment-related struggles are among the additional areas she pays attention to.
Barb draws from approaches that center the person and build motivation for change. She uses client-centered methods alongside mindfulness and solution-focused techniques to help people notice what works and keep it going. Trauma-focused methods are used when past events are getting in the way of daily life.
People who come to Barb can expect straightforward talk, practical steps, and a steady, humane presence. She has professional experience with immigration-related matters and caregiver stress, and she aims to help each person find clearer footing in difficult times.
How her approaches shape online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to what each person says matters most. It helps when someone needs a calm listener who reflects concerns back and supports self-directed goals. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple ways to notice thoughts and body sensations so stress, anxiety, and sleep trouble feel easier to manage. It tends to help people who want practical skills for regulating emotion. Motivational Interviewing helps people move from uncertainty toward action by exploring values and small next steps; it can be useful for addiction, behavior change, or when motivation feels stuck.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, past experiences, and preferences, then recommend methods to try. That plan can change over time based on what helps most, and sessions often mix elements from different approaches to fit the person’s needs.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by removing travel time, allowing a shorter check-in between commitments, or avoiding the need to be on camera when that feels difficult. Licensed professionals can use the approaches above in virtual sessions to help clients set clear goals, practice new skills, and track progress over time.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Barb address?
She helps people facing grief, trauma and abuse, parenting stress, anxiety, depression, addiction concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep problems, anger, and questions about life purpose. Codependency and attachment issues are included among her focus areas.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is person-focused and conversational, with an emphasis on honest talk and gentle encouragement. She blends client-centered listening with mindfulness and solution-focused ideas to set practical goals.
What background does she bring to sessions?
Barb has 12 years of experience working with people who face substance use, trauma history, anger, grief, and parenting difficulties. She also has experience with immigration-related concerns and caregiver stress.
What credentials and region are listed?
She holds an LISW, which stands for Licensed Independent Social Worker, and practices in Iowa.
Which languages are supported and can people outside the U.S. work with her?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.