- Years in practice
- 12
- Credentials
- LISW
- Licensed in
- Iowa
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Family conflicts
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Grief
About Barbara
Barbara "Barb" Kroening offers straightforward, compassionate help for parents and individuals feeling overwhelmed by everyday life. She keeps meetings simple and direct so people can get practical support without extra stress. Barb is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, LISW, based in Iowa with 12 years of experience helping people navigate hard moments.
Barb aims to meet each person where they are. She listens without judgment and helps people name what matters most to them.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on clear steps a person can try between meetings, not long lists of theory. Her work often addresses parenting concerns, grief, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, and substance use. She also supports people dealing with relationship strain, anger, sleep problems, and career transitions.
Barb draws on tools that help people manage stress and rebuild routines. In practice she uses client-centered methods and mindfulness to help people notice patterns and make small changes. Motivational interviewing techniques help when someone feels stuck or unsure what to try next.
Trauma-focused and solution-focused ideas shape how she helps people set short-term goals. People find sessions are practical and down-to-earth. Barb encourages honest conversation and helps clients set realistic next steps.
She has worked with immigration issues and caregiver stress, and often supports people facing complex life changes.
What Barbara works with
Everything Barbara lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Barbara helps people with.
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Domestic violence
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Barbara lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches that guide online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding a person’s perspective and building a trusting relationship. It helps when someone wants a space to talk things through and find their own solutions. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention practices to reduce reactivity and improve sleep, stress, and emotional awareness. Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify their goals and build the momentum to change habits like substance use or coping routines.Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will ask about your goals, try different ideas, and adjust methods based on what feels most helpful. Clients and the therapist work together to set realistic short-term goals and track progress over time.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls let you have a fuller conversation face-to-face, while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or you prefer no camera. Live chat and text messaging support brief check-ins, quick problem-solving, or ongoing coaching between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy parenting schedules and to keep consistent momentum.
Questions people ask about Barbara
What concerns does Barb commonly help with?
She works with parenting challenges, grief, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, addictions, and stress-related problems. Barb also addresses relationship issues, sleep and anger concerns, and career or life transitions.
What is her therapy style like?
Barb uses a warm, client-centered style that focuses on practical steps and listening first. She mixes mindfulness and motivational interviewing to help people try new habits and make clear decisions.
How much experience does she have?
Barb has 12 years of clinical experience working with people facing trauma, substance issues, grief, and parenting struggles.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds the LISW credential, listed as IA LISW, and practices from Iowa.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are offered?
Barb meets via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model 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 then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.
More therapists for parents in Iowa
All in Iowa
Dr. Edgar Villarreal
IA Psychologist
Iowa 7 years in practice English, Spanish
Dedicated psychologist for parenting and life stress
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
Lindsay DeMarlie
LCSW, LISW
Iowa 10 years in practice
Compassionate, practical support for parents and caregivers
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
Delishia Williams
LISW
Iowa 15 years in practice
Practical, person-centered support for parents
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Self esteem