(she/her)
Greetings! My name is Deborah Sterling, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in southern California. I received my Master of Social Work degree from California State University. I have been practicing therapy for six years, utilizing various modalities to meet my clients' needs. I work primarily with adults who experience anxiety or depression to minimize their symptoms and become their best version of themselves.
In our first session together, we'll start with introductions, some background information, and then dive into the specific challenges you are facing. We'll set some preliminary goals for our time together and I'll answer any questions you may have.
I have a broad range of experience and knowledge and I am constantly seeking new ways to help my clients.
I enjoy working with adults who are able to recognize that although they may be struggling, they have the ability to learn and incorporate new skills to improve their lives.
Other specialties
I identify as
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I utilize numerous aspects of ACT to help alleviate clients' problems and promote flourishing in life.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT focuses on how one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are intertwined and how they influence one another. In treatment, we use that knowledge to help change unhelpful thought patterns to help improve our lives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT teaches that there is more than one way to see situations and two seemingly opposing things can be true at the same time. We will look at acceptance of one's situation and the possibility of change.
Christian Counseling
For clients who wish to include their faith in God as they work to improve various aspects of their lives, I utilize my own experience with faith as well as my education of biblical truths to help clients change thought patterns and improve their functioning.
7 ratings with written reviews
March 18, 2026
I really liked Deborah. She was warm, kind and I felt really comfortable with her approach.
December 19, 2025
Deborah has been my life-line to myself. I can't say enough about her. She has helped me to understand so much about my trauma and life experiences, and has shed light into those areas I've needed to face, and done so with compassion. Deborah is caring, authentic and kind. I am so happy to have found her during this pivotal time in my life.
December 2, 2025
Authentic because i don't get a superiority vibe. I can see by her facial expressions that she listening and thinking of ways to help.