Pamela Barrigar

Compassionate LCSW using practical strategies

LCSW Illinois

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Pamela

Pamela Barrigar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 15 years of clinical experience supporting people through a wide range of emotional and life challenges.

Background and approach

She draws on multiple evidence-informed methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to help clients address stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, addiction, and issues with self-esteem and relationships. Pamela works from a nonjudgmental stance and integrates approaches to match each person’s needs while honoring their background and values.

Her practice also addresses more specific concerns such as grief, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and aging or geriatric issues, along with interpersonal difficulties like communication problems, codependency, and divorce or separation. Pamela’s LCSW credential reflects her professional training and licensure to provide clinical social work services in Illinois.

She aims to make the initial step into therapy manageable and collaborates with clients to set realistic goals and practical strategies for change.

Practical therapeutic approaches for online care

Pamela commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to guide online sessions. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, while ACT emphasizes values-based action and accepting difficult feelings to build a meaningful life. She also uses client-centered techniques that prioritize empathic listening and collaboration to help clients feel heard and involved in their treatment.

Choosing the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. Pamela works with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and then blends methods so the plan fits the individual rather than requiring a single fixed model. That collaborative stance helps clarify which strategies to try first and when to adjust course.

Online therapy with Pamela is available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it possible to maintain continuity of care from home or work, attend sessions when travel is difficult, and use written or real-time options for between-session support.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns can Pamela address in therapy?

Pamela works with a broad set of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, anger, addictions, grief, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and ADHD, as well as related life and relationship challenges.

What is her therapeutic approach and style?

She integrates client-centered care with cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, and mindfulness to tailor treatment to each person's goals and preferences.

How long has she been practicing clinically?

Pamela brings 15 years of experience working with diverse concerns across the lifespan, applying multiple modalities to support coping and change.

Where is Pamela licensed and practicing?

She holds an LCSW credential and is listed with Illinois licensure details as AZ LCSW LCSW-22287 and IL LCSW 149019841, and she practices while residing in Illinois.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are provided in English only, and Pamela is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for working together?

Clients may meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or through text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

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

What steps are involved in getting started?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuseAnger managementDepression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGrief Self esteemBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stress Social anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Arizona

Languages

English