Barbara Defazzio, LMHC
Experienced Florida LMHC for trauma and families
- Trauma and abuse
- Family and adoption
- Stress and anxiety
About Barbara Defazzio
Barbara Defazzio is a Florida-licensed clinician with four decades of professional experience helping people navigate trauma, family transitions, grief, and stress. As an LMHC - which stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor - she brings deep experience developed over a long career that includes more than 20 years running a private practice in Massachusetts where she specialized in treating survivors of sexual abuse and related post-traumatic stress.
Since relocating to Florida, she has continued focused work with clients who have experienced sexual and physical trauma and those who grew up in the foster care system. Her practice also includes post-adoption support, assisting families as they integrate newly adopted children and work through the normal challenges that follow adoption. Over the years she has helped clients address anxiety, family conflict, grief, coping with loss, and the broad effects of trauma and abuse.
Barbara approaches each case with sensitivity to the individual and their history, drawing on decades of clinical practice to tailor care for stress, relationship struggles, and life transitions. She recognizes that beginning therapy takes effort and courage, and she is prepared to support clients through that first step and the work that follows.
Since relocating to Florida, she has continued focused work with clients who have experienced sexual and physical trauma and those who grew up in the foster care system. Her practice also includes post-adoption support, assisting families as they integrate newly adopted children and work through the normal challenges that follow adoption. Over the years she has helped clients address anxiety, family conflict, grief, coping with loss, and the broad effects of trauma and abuse.
Barbara approaches each case with sensitivity to the individual and their history, drawing on decades of clinical practice to tailor care for stress, relationship struggles, and life transitions. She recognizes that beginning therapy takes effort and courage, and she is prepared to support clients through that first step and the work that follows.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessPost-traumatic stressSexual assault and abuseWomen's issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Barbara Defazzio have?
Barbara Defazzio has 40 years of experience.
Is Barbara Defazzio a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and holds the Florida license FL LMHC MH6336.
In which languages does Barbara Defazzio provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Barbara Defazzio located?
She is located in Florida.
How can I work with Barbara Defazzio as my therapist?
You can work with Barbara Defazzio through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Barbara Defazzio work with international clients?
Yes, Barbara Defazzio works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Barbara Defazzio cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Barbara Defazzio uses client-centered therapy, which emphasizes the client as the expert in their own life and focuses on building a trusting, empathetic relationship to support personal growth. This approach is helpful for people seeking a respectful, validating environment to explore emotions and life changes.She also employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical, skills-based approach that helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT can be effective for treating anxiety, stress, and the day-to-day patterns that contribute to emotional difficulty.
In addition, Trauma-Focused Therapy guides work with the specific impacts of traumatic experiences, offering ways to process traumatic memories and reduce their ongoing effects. This approach supports recovery from abuse, PTSD related to trauma, and other trauma-driven concerns.
Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Barbara collaborates with each person to determine the best fit based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She works with clients to adjust strategies over time so treatment stays relevant and effective.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions by video call or phone let clients meet from home, while live chat and text-based messaging provide additional options for shorter check-ins or when scheduling is difficult. These formats make it easier for people with busy lives, caregiving responsibilities, or geographic constraints to connect with licensed professionals and therapists and maintain consistent care.