Annette Rios-Barrera, LCSW - Therapist in Texas

LGBT support
Grief and loss
Attachment focus

About Annette

Annette Rios-Barrera is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Texas with 23 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing anxiety, depression, grief, stress, and major life changes. Annette also supports those exploring identity and intimacy-related concerns and people in LGBT communities.

She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and attachment-based approaches. Sessions focus on understanding emotions, recognizing interaction patterns, and building clearer ways to respond to relationship stress. Therapy is practical and direct, with attention to everyday skills that help manage anxiety and improve mood.

Annette also addresses issues related to abandonment, adoption and foster care, attachment concerns, and blended family dynamics. She works with people affected by chronic illness, caregiver stress, cancer, and aging-related concerns. Topics such as body image, commitment struggles, codependency, and kink or alternative sex culture are included in her practice.

She integrates client-centered and cognitive behavioral strategies when useful. Exercises may include noticing unhelpful thoughts, trying new behavior steps, and practicing emotional awareness. Annette can use culturally aware approaches and speaks both English and Spanish.

To begin, people complete an initial matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the online therapy options. Costs vary by location and are handled via a cancellable subscription model. International clients are accepted, and session logistics are confirmed during intake.

Approaches used and how online sessions function

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and naming emotions that drive patterns in close relationships. It helps people notice how feelings shape interactions and learn new ways to respond that reduce reactivity and increase emotional clarity.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches practical skills for noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then taking steps that align with personal values. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress related concerns.

Attachment-Based Therapy centers on how early relationship experiences shape current ways of connecting. It can help people understand recurring patterns linked to attachment and develop more reliable ways of relating.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. The therapist works with each client to pick methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That conversation usually happens in the first sessions and may combine techniques from EFT, ACT, and attachment work.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking because specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Ask about language options, subscription payment details, and how to schedule a first appointment when you use the matching and booking flow.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGrief Intimacy-related issues

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyCareer difficultiesDepression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separation Domestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issues Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobia Women's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman Method Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems Systemic Therapy

Experience

23+ years

Listed in

Texas

Languages

English, Spanish

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?

She works with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, and coping with life changes.

What is her therapeutic style?

She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside ACT, attachment-based methods, client-centered work, and CBT to help people name emotions and change interaction patterns.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Annette has 23 years of professional experience as a clinician in Texas.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Texas and practices from that state.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

What session formats are offered?

Please confirm current session format options when you book, as the profile does not list specific formats.

How are sessions paid for?

Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started with a first session?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session through that process.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.