- 30 years experience
- Focus on coping skills
- Supports caregivers
About Barbara
Barbara Lefdal is a licensed counselor who draws on 30 years of experience to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and major life changes. She practices in South Dakota and focuses on practical support that people can use right away. Barbara holds an LPC-MH, which stands for Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health.
Her sessions emphasize clear conversation and steady support. She listens closely to what matters most to each person and helps them set small, achievable goals. Techniques include exploring thoughts and behaviors, practicing mindfulness, and developing communication skills that reduce conflict and isolation.
Barbara has worked extensively with people facing caregiving strain, aging-related concerns, hospice and end-of-life questions, and feelings of abandonment or shame. She also addresses codependency, financial stress, and the emotional fallout of divorce or separation. Her background includes long-term clinical experience across a wide range of mood and trauma-related issues.
In the room she balances practical tools with time to reflect. Cognitive approaches may be used to change unhelpful thinking patterns while psychodynamic ideas can help make sense of long-standing emotional patterns. Motivational strategies support people who want to make life changes but feel stuck.
Her style is patient and straightforward. Sessions tend to focus on what can help now while also building skills for the future. To begin, people use the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person's experience and meeting them where they are. It emphasizes listening, empathy, and helping people identify their own solutions to stress, grief, and life changes.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. It teaches practical skills to shift unhelpful thinking and build coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and codependency patterns.
Mindfulness Therapy brings simple attention practices into daily life to reduce reactivity and increase calm. It can help with stress, compassion fatigue, and staying present during difficult moments.
Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with the person to choose methods that match goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. This is a gradual process with adjustments along the way.
If you are considering online options, confirm the current session formats before booking since formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter or more frequent check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Many people find that remote sessions help them practice skills in real-life settings between meetings while keeping therapy manageable alongside caregiving or work.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Credentials
South Dakota
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
Barbara helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and major life changes. She also addresses compassion fatigue, codependency, caregiver strain, isolation, and related mood or trauma concerns.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is client-centered and practical, combining careful listening with hands-on tools. Sessions mix reflective conversation with strategies to change unhelpful thoughts and habits.
What experience does she bring?
She has 30 years of experience working in clinical settings in South Dakota, with extensive work on aging, caregiving, and complex emotional issues.
What credentials and region are noted?
Barbara is listed as LPC-MH, which indicates Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health, and she practices in South Dakota.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start therapy with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.