Pamela Barrigar

Pamela Barrigar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 15 years of experience. She helps people coping with anxiety, anger, depression, relationship strain, grief, and life changes. Pamela brings a calm, nonjudgmental presence to sessions and speaks directly about practical next steps.

She works from a client-centered stance that focuses on each person's goals and values. Pamela also uses elements of cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and dial back patterns that increase distress. Dialectical behavior therapy skills add tools for emotion regulation and managing intense feelings.

Sessions tend to be straightforward and solution-focused. Pamela listens first, then helps people set small, doable goals. She emphasizes skills people can try between sessions to test what works in daily life.

Her background includes long-term clinical work with people facing trauma, addiction, ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and caregiving stress. Pamela also supports those dealing with midlife transitions, divorce, and communication problems. Her approach is respectful of religious beliefs and she works with people from varied faith backgrounds.

Pamela is licensed in Illinois as an LCSW. When someone is ready to begin, she guides them through an initial plan and regular check-ins to track progress. The focus is on building steady change rather than quick fixes.

How Pamela’s Approaches Work Online

Pamela uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in practical ways. ACT focuses on what matters to an individual and encourages actions aligned with personal values despite difficult feelings. CBT helps identify and change thoughts and behaviors that keep stress and anxiety active.

She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. DBT offers clear strategies for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal communication. Together these approaches give a mix of values work, thought work, and concrete skills practice.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. Pamela will talk with each person about their goals and try methods that fit their needs and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan based on what helps most in day-to-day life.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the available session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and create quicker check-ins on stressful days. Therapists often adapt exercises and homework so people can practice skills between sessions and measure what changes over time.