Jacques-Paul Barbour, LMHC

Jacques-Paul Barbour, LMHC, helps people facing a wide range of concerns. He supports those coping with anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, addictions, grief, and stress. He also addresses parenting strain, eating and body image worries, and work or career changes.

He brings 23 years of clinical experience and a Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy. Over that time he has worked in private practice and in hospital emergency departments. He has also taught psychology and human services courses at community colleges and four-year institutions in the Greater Boston area.

His style is warm and practical. He focuses on solutions you can try between sessions while also noticing deeper emotional patterns when they matter. He aims to build a respectful, collaborative relationship so people feel understood when discussing sensitive topics like sexuality, identity, or compulsive behaviors.

Jacques-Paul often uses approaches that center the client's experience and look at the stories people tell about their lives. He also draws on cognitive-behavioral ideas to help change unhelpful thoughts and on motivational techniques to support behavior change. He offers work in both English and Arabic.

People come to him for help navigating family of origin issues, caregiving stress, medical and cancer-related emotional impacts, blended family concerns, and issues around commitment and communication. He encourages practical steps tied to each person's goals, and he supports people as they test changes and reassess what works.

How therapeutic approaches shape online work

Client-Centered Therapy puts the person's experience at the center. The therapist listens deeply, reflects what matters to you, and helps you set the pace. This approach is useful for concerns about identity, intimacy, and feeling heard.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Sessions often include simple exercises to spot unhelpful thought patterns and to try new ways of responding. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and habits people want to change.

Motivational Interviewing supports people who are ambivalent about change. It uses short, focused conversations to strengthen motivation and plan next steps. This can be helpful for addiction-related goals or behavior shifts.

Choosing the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work together with the client to determine which methods fit the person's needs, goals, and preferences. That collaboration can change over time as progress is tracked and priorities shift.

Practical benefits of online work include easier scheduling and fitting sessions into a busy week. If you want to use online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online sessions can make it simpler to maintain continuity of care and to try brief check-ins when a quick conversation is helpful.