Licensed to practice in California and accepts 38 insurances. Specializes in Couples Counseling, Depression, Self Esteem and 5 more.
New to Grow
With more than twenty years of experience as a licensed therapist in California, I enjoy working with adults and couples who are open to self-reflection and committed to making meaningful changes in their lives. If you are looking for a collaborative, supportive therapeutic relationship where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to grow, please consider me. I’ve been passionate about supporting clients as they work through relationship stress and significant life transitions, mild depression & anxiety, and parenting support, offering guidance that is both grounded and compassionate to individuals and couples. My work is rooted in a deep respect for each person’s lived experience, and I strive to create a therapeutic space where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to move toward meaningful change and happiness.
Your first therapy session is really about getting comfortable and feeling supported. We take things at a gentle pace, starting with a simple conversation about what brought you in and what you’re hoping for. There’s no pressure to share everything at once — you get to decide what feels right. I’ll explain how therapy works, answer any questions, and make sure you understand that this is a collaborative space where you’re in control of your story. Together, we’ll explore what you need to feel heard and understood. By the end of the session, most people feel a sense of relief knowing they don’t have to navigate things alone and that therapy is a place where they can show up exactly as they are.
Grounded in decades of clinical practice, I am committed to helping clients strengthen communication skills, build emotional resilience, and move toward meaningful personal growth. My goal is to walk alongside you with empathy, clarity, and genuine support as you navigate your healing journey and work through the issues that brought you to therapy. I offer a Christian perspective in counseling for those people who are looking for this. If you are not looking for a Christian perspective, that's cool too. I have plenty of experience working with people with all different faith backgrounds or none at all.
You took a big and brave step in seeking therapy. People usually seek therapy when they have tried everything else, so I'm glad you are here! Thank you for checking out my therapy page! Are you motivated for personal growth and interested in developing greater self-awareness and insight into your emotions, behaviors, and relationships? Do you tend to approach therapy with openness, honesty, and curiosity, and are you willing to reflect on your experiences and consider new perspectives? Let's do this! Clients are most successful, in my experience, when they participate thoughtfully and are interested in applying what they learn outside of therapy, like journaling, using self-care and reflecting on things we explored during the session. I have openings via telehealth on Saturday afternoons during the summer and more midweek openings in the Fall. I am excited to work with you!
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $195 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Scripps Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT sessions typically focus on helping clients notice unhelpful thoughts, evaluate them, and practice new ways of thinking and behaving. We might start by identifying a specific situation that triggered distress, then guide the client to explore the automatic thoughts that came up. Together, we can examine the evidence for and against those thoughts, develop more balanced alternatives, and plan small behavioral experiments to test them in real life. Over time, this helps clients build skills to manage emotions and respond more flexibly to challenges.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Debra may use ACT techniques in sessions to help clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting entangled in them, using mindfulness and cognitive defusion techniques. Together, we may explore the client’s core values and identify actions that move toward a more meaningful life. Instead of trying to eliminate discomfort, these techniques may focus on building psychological flexibility—making room for inner experiences while choosing behaviors aligned with what truly matters.
Christian Counseling
In a Christian counseling session upon client's preference, Debra may integrate psychological tools with the client’s faith framework, using Scripture, prayer, or spiritual reflection when it aligns with the client’s beliefs. Sessions often explore how faith can offer strength, meaning, and guidance in navigating life’s challenges. Debra can supports clients in applying Christian values to their decisions and relationships while also using evidence‑based therapeutic strategies to promote emotional and spiritual growth.
EMDR
In an EMDR session, Debra may use EMDR to help the client bring a distressing memory to mind while guiding them through bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. This process supports the brain in reprocessing the memory so it becomes less emotionally overwhelming. The therapist checks in frequently, helping the client notice shifts in thoughts, emotions, and body sensations as the memory loses intensity. Over time, clients often develop more adaptive beliefs and a greater sense of calm around previously triggering experiences.
Couples Counseling
In couples counseling, couples may learn to slow down reactive patterns and communicate with more clarity, empathy, and teamwork. Sessions often focus on identifying shared goals for parenting, understanding each partner’s stressors, and practicing healthier ways to express needs and resolve conflict. Debra may help the couple build skills for collaborative problem‑solving so they can support each other and create a more stable, connected environment for their relationship & family.