Meet Dr. Lara Barbir
Welcome. I'm so grateful you're practicing self-compassion by seeking psychotherapy. I encourage you to keep in mind that one of the most significant predictors of successful outcomes in therapy is having a strong therapeutic relationship as you search for the best fit for you. And in terms of what's best for you, trust your intuition! Most of the clients whom I serve are struggling with depression, trauma, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and/or disability--problems which often come to the forefront following recent relational, work, and life stressors.
I strive toward embodying an authentic style that’s best summarized as compassionate, flexible, playful, and genuine. My approach is both backed by science and connected to you as a unique human. Having a personal history of depression and trauma, I understand the inevitable pain and suffering involved along this difficult albeit meaningful journey. Accordingly, I aim to create a space in which you feel seen, heard, valued, and understood in such a way that you’re willing to keep leaning into your transformation to transcendence. I would be remiss if I did not mention that my trusty co-worker/therapy cat Soco is likely to be a part of this process if we are working together virtually!
"Be brave, be wild, and stay forever hungry for love, art, knowledge, and adventure." -Erin Van Buren
Outside of my passions as a psychologist, you can find me teaching group fitness classes and connecting with my loved ones typically via embarking on novel adventures through learning, hiking, travel, the arts, and meditation.
I strive toward embodying an authentic style that’s best summarized as compassionate, flexible, playful, and genuine. My approach is both backed by science and connected to you as a unique human. Having a personal history of depression and trauma, I understand the inevitable pain and suffering involved along this difficult albeit meaningful journey. Accordingly, I aim to create a space in which you feel seen, heard, valued, and understood in such a way that you’re willing to keep leaning into your transformation to transcendence. I would be remiss if I did not mention that my trusty co-worker/therapy cat Soco is likely to be a part of this process if we are working together virtually!
"Be brave, be wild, and stay forever hungry for love, art, knowledge, and adventure." -Erin Van Buren
Outside of my passions as a psychologist, you can find me teaching group fitness classes and connecting with my loved ones typically via embarking on novel adventures through learning, hiking, travel, the arts, and meditation.
Specializations
Licensed as a clinical psychologist in the state of California (PSY 31109), I have been passionately providing psychotherapy to a diverse range of adults since 2013, with experiences spanning across VA medical centers, integrated care clinics, community mental health, and university counseling. My theoretical orientation is integrative, with conceptual influences from cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, and third-wave approaches. I have obtained extensive training in science-backed approaches for trauma/PTSD, depression, perinatal mental health, insomnia, and chronic pain. I have received certificates* in the following evidence-based treatments:
Additionally, I am trained in the following evidence-based treatments:
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)**
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)**
- Prolonged Exposure for Primary Care (PE-PC)
- Written Exposure Therapy (WET)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP)**
Additionally, I am trained in the following evidence-based treatments:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)**
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)**
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)**
Education & Training
APA-Accredited Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychosomatic and Behavioral Medicine
VA San Diego Healthcare System/University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
APA-Accredited Pre-Doctoral Internship
VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California
Doctor of Psychology, Counseling Psychology
Radford University, Radford, Virginia
Dissertation: Posttraumatic Growth in Combat Veterans: The Roles of Mindfulness and Experiential Avoidance
Master of Science, Rehabilitation Counseling
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Emphases: psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Sociology
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Senior Project: Collaborative Information Exchange Using Elicit-Provide-Elicit to Reduce Risky Drinking Among College Students
VA San Diego Healthcare System/University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
APA-Accredited Pre-Doctoral Internship
VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California
Doctor of Psychology, Counseling Psychology
Radford University, Radford, Virginia
Dissertation: Posttraumatic Growth in Combat Veterans: The Roles of Mindfulness and Experiential Avoidance
Master of Science, Rehabilitation Counseling
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Emphases: psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Sociology
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Senior Project: Collaborative Information Exchange Using Elicit-Provide-Elicit to Reduce Risky Drinking Among College Students
Research Publications
Hung, J., Lu, Y., Erlyana, E., & Barbir, L. A. (2023). Improving adherence to PAP among Veterans with a comorbid anxiety disorder using a combined behavioral
group treatment. Journal of Military and Veterans' Health, 31(4). doi:10.2023-33812661/JMVH
Lyons, R., Barbir, L. A., Owens, R., & Colvonen, P. J. (2021). STOP-BANG screener versus objective obstructive sleep apnea testing among younger veterans with
PTSD and insomnia: STOP-BANG does not sufficiently detect risk. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. doi:10.5664/jcsm.9498
Kim, J. H., Keck, P. S., McMahon, M. C., Vo, A. K., Gonzalez, R., Lee, D.-H., Barbir, L. A., & Maree, K. (2018). Strengths based rehabilitation assessment: Adapted
inventory of virtues and strengths. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 61(3), 421-435. doi:10.3233/WOR-182807
Miller, E., Gonzalez, R., Kim, J. H., Barbir, L. A., & Lopez, M. (2018). Rural Hispanic caregiving: Generational trends and counseling implications. The Journal of
Aging and Social Change, 8(2), 71-86. doi:10.18848/2576-5310/CGP/v08i02/71-86
Webster, J. B., Kim, J. H., Hawley, C. E., Barbir, L. A., Barton, S., & Young, C. (2018). Development, implementation, and outcomes of a residential vocational
rehabilitation program for injured service members and veterans. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 48(1), 111-126. doi:10.3233/JVR-170919
Kim, J. H., Barbir, L. A., Elder, E. M., Vo, A. K., McMahon, B. T., Taylor, T., & Johnson, K. (2018). Community service coordination for minority clients with
disabilities: 10-step guidelines. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 59, 85-91. doi:10.3233/WOR-172662.
Hettema, J. E., Barbir, L. A., Viar, K. R., & Hund, L. (2017). Collaborative information exchange using elicit-provide-elicit to reduce risky drinking among college
students. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 10(2), 108-115. doi:10.1080/17538068.2017.1336359
Kim, J. H., Hawley, C. E., Gonzalez, R., Vo, A. K., Barbir, L. A., McMahon, B. T., Lee, D.-H., Lee, J. H., & Lee, Y. W. (2017). Resilience from a virtue perspective.
Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 1-10. doi:10.1177/0034355217714995
Barbir, L. A., Vandevender, A. W., & Cohn, T. J. (2017). Friendship, attitudes, and behavioral intentions of cisgender heterosexuals toward transgender
individuals. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health, 21(2), 154-170. doi:10.1080/19359705.2016.1273157
Hawley, C. E., McMahon, B. T, Cardoso, E. D., Fogg, N. P., Harrington, P. E., & Barbir, L. A. (2014). College graduation to employment in STEM careers: The
experience of new graduates at the intersection of underrepresented minority status and disability. Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 28(3), 183-
199. doi:10.1891/2168-6653.28.3.183
Draper, W. R., Hawley, C. E., McMahon, B. T., Reid, C. A., & Barbir, L. A. (2014). ADA perceived disability claims: A decision-tree analysis. Journal of Occupational
Rehabilitation, 24(2), 213-219. doi:10.1007/s10926-013-9464-7
group treatment. Journal of Military and Veterans' Health, 31(4). doi:10.2023-33812661/JMVH
Lyons, R., Barbir, L. A., Owens, R., & Colvonen, P. J. (2021). STOP-BANG screener versus objective obstructive sleep apnea testing among younger veterans with
PTSD and insomnia: STOP-BANG does not sufficiently detect risk. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. doi:10.5664/jcsm.9498
Kim, J. H., Keck, P. S., McMahon, M. C., Vo, A. K., Gonzalez, R., Lee, D.-H., Barbir, L. A., & Maree, K. (2018). Strengths based rehabilitation assessment: Adapted
inventory of virtues and strengths. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 61(3), 421-435. doi:10.3233/WOR-182807
Miller, E., Gonzalez, R., Kim, J. H., Barbir, L. A., & Lopez, M. (2018). Rural Hispanic caregiving: Generational trends and counseling implications. The Journal of
Aging and Social Change, 8(2), 71-86. doi:10.18848/2576-5310/CGP/v08i02/71-86
Webster, J. B., Kim, J. H., Hawley, C. E., Barbir, L. A., Barton, S., & Young, C. (2018). Development, implementation, and outcomes of a residential vocational
rehabilitation program for injured service members and veterans. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 48(1), 111-126. doi:10.3233/JVR-170919
Kim, J. H., Barbir, L. A., Elder, E. M., Vo, A. K., McMahon, B. T., Taylor, T., & Johnson, K. (2018). Community service coordination for minority clients with
disabilities: 10-step guidelines. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 59, 85-91. doi:10.3233/WOR-172662.
Hettema, J. E., Barbir, L. A., Viar, K. R., & Hund, L. (2017). Collaborative information exchange using elicit-provide-elicit to reduce risky drinking among college
students. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 10(2), 108-115. doi:10.1080/17538068.2017.1336359
Kim, J. H., Hawley, C. E., Gonzalez, R., Vo, A. K., Barbir, L. A., McMahon, B. T., Lee, D.-H., Lee, J. H., & Lee, Y. W. (2017). Resilience from a virtue perspective.
Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 1-10. doi:10.1177/0034355217714995
Barbir, L. A., Vandevender, A. W., & Cohn, T. J. (2017). Friendship, attitudes, and behavioral intentions of cisgender heterosexuals toward transgender
individuals. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health, 21(2), 154-170. doi:10.1080/19359705.2016.1273157
Hawley, C. E., McMahon, B. T, Cardoso, E. D., Fogg, N. P., Harrington, P. E., & Barbir, L. A. (2014). College graduation to employment in STEM careers: The
experience of new graduates at the intersection of underrepresented minority status and disability. Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 28(3), 183-
199. doi:10.1891/2168-6653.28.3.183
Draper, W. R., Hawley, C. E., McMahon, B. T., Reid, C. A., & Barbir, L. A. (2014). ADA perceived disability claims: A decision-tree analysis. Journal of Occupational
Rehabilitation, 24(2), 213-219. doi:10.1007/s10926-013-9464-7
