- Addictions support
- Grief and loss
- Relationship issues
About Barry
Barry Harnick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Florida with five decades of experience. He focuses on addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, depression, and helping people cope with major life changes. He draws on long experience supporting people facing serious illness and end-of-life issues, including work in hospice settings.
He began his career directing a 60-bed residential program for men and women with substance use disorders and spent many years focused on addictions. Over time he added family therapy work and provided services in both Michigan and Florida. That early foundation shaped a practical, problem-focused approach to care.
His background includes work at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on a crisis team and at multiple Vet Centers, where he supported people with trauma and post-traumatic stress. He has also worked as a hospice social worker, helping people cope with grief, loss, and the emotional demands of serious illness.
In sessions he adapts his approach to each person’s needs. He uses techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic ideas, solution-focused methods, and trauma-focused work to address symptoms and life patterns. Conversations are aimed at clarifying problems, finding workable steps, and reducing distress.
He treats people with respect and sensitivity and builds a plan around what matters to them. To begin, he asks straightforward questions to match goals and determine the best next steps.
He began his career directing a 60-bed residential program for men and women with substance use disorders and spent many years focused on addictions. Over time he added family therapy work and provided services in both Michigan and Florida. That early foundation shaped a practical, problem-focused approach to care.
His background includes work at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on a crisis team and at multiple Vet Centers, where he supported people with trauma and post-traumatic stress. He has also worked as a hospice social worker, helping people cope with grief, loss, and the emotional demands of serious illness.
In sessions he adapts his approach to each person’s needs. He uses techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic ideas, solution-focused methods, and trauma-focused work to address symptoms and life patterns. Conversations are aimed at clarifying problems, finding workable steps, and reducing distress.
He treats people with respect and sensitivity and builds a plan around what matters to them. To begin, he asks straightforward questions to match goals and determine the best next steps.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWorkplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Psychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
50+ years
Credentials
Florida
Languages
English
Approaches that guide online work and decision making
Barry uses cognitive behavioral and trauma-focused approaches in ways that are easy to follow. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and habits and testing new ways of thinking and behaving to reduce symptoms like depression or anxiety. Trauma-focused therapy helps people process past traumatic events and build coping skills for intrusive memories, flashbacks, or related stress.He also draws on psychodynamic ideas to understand long-standing patterns that repeat in relationships and life choices. That helps when a person wants to look beyond immediate symptoms and see where old patterns began. Choosing the right mix of approaches is a shared task. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust the plan if something is not helping.
Confirm the current session options before booking, since formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and reduce travel time to appointments. It can also make it simpler to involve focused homework between sessions and to maintain continuity during health or life changes.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He helps people with addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional areas include caregiver stress, chronic illness, and separation or divorce.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He blends practical techniques with longer-term exploration. Sessions can focus on changing patterns, processing trauma, and setting clear goals for change.
How long has he worked in this field?
He brings 50 years of professional experience, including roles in residential addiction treatment, VA crisis work, and hospice social work.
Where is he licensed and practicing?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Florida and practices there.
Are sessions offered in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with him?
He accepts international clients.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.