Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you use our links to buy.

Therapist profile

Denise Smith Baril

LCSW Florida 4 years of experience

Supportive LCSW for life transitions

Continue with Denise

Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.

Denise Smith Baril
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Grief and loss
  • Relationship focus

About Denise

Denise Smith Baril is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Florida. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, and major life transitions. Denise works with individuals as they take practical steps toward feeling steadier and more capable in everyday life.

She uses straightforward, person-centered care that starts with listening to what matters most to each person. Denise believes clients know their stories best and brings curiosity and support as people sort through choices and challenges. Sessions aim to build on strengths and find realistic strategies for change.

With four years of experience, Denise has supported people facing relationship strain, parenting stress, trauma and abuse, and compassion fatigue. She also addresses issues such as ADHD, depression, intimacy-related concerns, and family-of-origin patterns. Her practice includes attention to longer-term health and caregiving challenges like chronic illness and aging-related stress.

Denise draws from several therapeutic methods to match the work to the person. She blends attachment-focused ideas with client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral tools, and skills from dialectical behavior therapy when helpful. Emotionally-focused ideas guide work on connection and intimacy.

People who want practical steps and steady support may find her style helpful. She invites anyone curious about change to begin with a simple matching process and a short intake to see if the fit feels right.

How her approaches fit into online therapy

Denise commonly uses client-centered methods that start with careful listening and validation, helping people name what matters and set realistic goals. She pairs this with cognitive behavioral therapy, which breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical skills to shift unhelpful patterns.

These approaches can help with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship strain, and coping with life changes by focusing on clear goals and step-by-step strategies. Denise aims to find the mix of ideas that fits each person, so the early sessions are about deciding together which methods will help most.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. Denise will ask about your needs, preferences, and daily routines and suggest ways of working that match those factors. The plan can change as progress is made and new priorities appear.

Session formats are not specified in the profile, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when a full office visit is not practical. Licensed professionals can adapt pacing, homework, and skill practice to fit virtual visits and real-life schedules.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesDepressionCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

4+ years

Credentials

Florida, Louisiana

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, grief, coping with life changes, ADHD, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, depression, and compassion fatigue.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is person-centered and practical. She listens first, then offers tools such as cognitive-behavioral strategies and emotion-focused work as needed.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has four years of professional experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and practices in Florida; she also holds LCSW credentials listed for Louisiana.

Which language is used in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Does she work with international clients?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are sessions scheduled and paid for?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on therapist availability.

Back to all therapists

Denise Smith BarilContinue with Denise