- Trauma informed care
- Bilingual support
- Relational focus
About Annette
Annette Rios-Barrera is a licensed clinical social worker with 23 years of experience. Based in Texas, she uses a warm, trauma-informed approach to help people facing anxiety, depression, grief, identity questions, and relationship concerns. She shares she uses she/her pronouns and offers care that aims to respect each person's story and values.
Her work centers on understanding what matters to the person in front of her. Sessions focus on building emotional safety, repairing trust, and increasing self-awareness through straightforward, collaborative conversation. Annette describes her style as practical and compassionate, with moments of humor when it fits the situation.
She draws on several therapeutic approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. These methods inform how she helps people cope with stress, process loss, and navigate changes in relationships and identity.
Annette also mentions a background that includes work with issues related to adoption and foster care, abandonment, attachment challenges, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and a range of relational and sexual identity topics. She integrates mindfulness and occasional playfulness, such as laughter yoga, where appropriate to the client's goals.
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, and she accepts international clients. To begin, prospective clients use the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling according to the therapist's availability.
Approaches that guide online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes values and small, practical steps. It helps people notice painful thoughts without getting stuck and take actions that match what matters to them. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and focuses on building safer, more trusting connections in close relationships.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide whether to emphasize ACT, attachment work, or a mix of client-centered and cognitive strategies to address the presenting concerns.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce commuting time, and allow check-ins when energy or mobility are limited. Some approaches lend themselves to practical skill practice and short homework between sessions, which translates well to remote work. The therapist will discuss how to structure sessions so they fit the client's daily life and goals.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Credentials
Texas
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she often help with?
She works with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, relationship and intimacy issues, and concerns around identity and life transitions.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is trauma-informed and practical, combining clear conversation, mindfulness, and occasional play to suit the client's needs.
What is her professional background?
She has 23 years of professional experience as a licensed clinical social worker and focuses on relational healing and trauma-informed care.
Where is she based and what credential does she hold?
She is based in Texas and holds the LCSW credential, listed as TX LCSW in her profile.
Which languages are supported during sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish to accommodate bilingual clients.
Can international clients work with her?
Yes, she accepts international clients according to the profile information provided.
How are sessions priced and billed?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.