Debbie DaCosta
Hi, I’m Debra “Debbie” DaCosta, MSW, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP, founder of Safe & Seen Counseling LLC. I have over eight years of clinical experience supporting adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma informed, blending evidence based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and mindfulness to create a space where clients feel genuinely safe, seen, and understood. Together, we’ll work at your pace to build practical coping skills, deepen self understanding, and help you move toward the life you want to create.
First session
Certainly! Here’s the revised version without hyphens: Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another in a comfortable, judgment free space. We will talk about what brought you to therapy, your current concerns, your personal history, and what you hope to gain from our work together. You do not need to have everything figured out or know exactly where to begin. We will move at a pace that feels right for you. By the end of the session, we will identify your goals, discuss how I can best support you, and create a plan for moving forward together.
Strengths
I strive to create a space where clients feel genuinely safe, seen, and accepted without judgment. I believe that healing begins through a strong therapeutic relationship, so I prioritize authenticity, compassion, and meeting each client where they are. My approach is collaborative, practical, and tailored to each individual’s unique experiences, strengths, and goals. With more than eight years of clinical experience, I integrate evidence based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness while remaining flexible to what each client needs in the moment. I balance emotional processing with practical skill building, helping clients gain insight, develop effective coping strategies, and create meaningful, lasting change. My goal is for every client to leave sessions feeling heard, supported, empowered, and equipped with tools they can use in everyday life.
Ideal clients
Here’s a version tailored to your practice and the population you serve: My practice is dedicated to supporting children and adolescents as they navigate life’s challenges in a safe, compassionate, and affirming environment. I work well with young people experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, emotional regulation difficulties, low self esteem, life transitions, family conflict, school related stress, and identity exploration. Many of the clients I see are looking for a place where they can feel understood, develop healthy coping skills, strengthen their confidence, and build resilience. I am committed to providing gender affirming, culturally responsive, and inclusive care. My practice is non exclusionary, and I welcome children and teens of all gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, family structures, and lived experiences. Every client deserves to feel safe, respected, and seen exactly as they are. The clients who tend to benefit most from working with me are those who are open to exploring their thoughts and emotions, learning practical skills, and working collaboratively toward meaningful change. If I believe another provider or a higher level of care would better meet a client’s needs, I will always help families connect with the most appropriate resources because my highest priority is ensuring every young person receives the support they deserve.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my practice, I use CBT to help children and teens recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge self defeating beliefs, and develop healthier ways of responding to difficult situations. Together, we build practical coping skills, strengthen emotional awareness, improve problem solving, and increase confidence so clients feel better equipped to navigate challenges both in and outside of therapy.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, helps children and teens build practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and responding to life’s challenges more effectively. In my practice, I use DBT to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and healthy communication skills. These tools help clients feel more in control of their emotions, navigate difficult situations with greater confidence, and respond thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively.