Aileen Barnhouse

Helping clients build practical skills and resilience

LMHC Iowa

Experience: 17 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Aileen

Aileen Barnhouse is a licensed mental health counselor in Iowa with 17 years of clinical practice supporting people facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and life transitions. She also has substantial experience working with adults who have attention deficit disorder (ADHD).

Background and approach

Her work emphasizes practical tools and collaborative problem solving to address current difficulties and build on existing strengths. Grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside a client-centered stance, she helps clients identify patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to distress while honoring each person’s perspective and goals.

Aileen views clients as experts in their own lives and focuses on uncovering personal resources that can be applied to overcome challenges. She frames change as a courageous step and offers steady support to empower clients as they pursue greater wellbeing and functioning.

In sessions she blends structured, skills-based interventions with empathic listening, aiming to create a clear path from insight to action. Her approach is practical and person-focused, intended to help clients develop strategies they can use in daily life to manage symptoms and move toward meaningful change.

Applying Cognitive Behavioral and Client-Centered Methods Online

CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replacing them with more constructive patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and challenges related to attention and motivation. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, helping clients feel heard while exploring their values and goals.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to clarify goals, consider preferences for structure or exploration, and adjust methods over time so the treatment feels like a good fit. This allows skills-based work and empathic support to be combined when appropriate.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities, and they allow clients to access therapy from home or other convenient locations.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Aileen commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem challenges, depression, coping with life changes, and ADHD, and also focuses on related issues such as abandonment, codependency, and isolation.

What is Aileen's therapeutic style?

Her style blends client-centered listening with structured, skills-based interventions so clients receive empathic support alongside practical tools to change thoughts and behaviors.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 17 years of professional counseling experience supporting people through a range of emotional and life challenges.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is an LMHC licensed in Iowa with license number IA LMHC 00869 and provides services to clients in that state.

Does she offer services in other languages or internationally?

Sessions are provided in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How are costs handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a session based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAvoidant personalityCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessFirst responder issuesGuilt and shame Impulsivity Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Experience

17+ years

Licensed

Iowa

Languages

English