Licensed to practice in California and accepts 46 insurances. Specializes in Couples Counseling, Depression, Self Esteem and 5 more.
Clients say this provider is
A Place to Talk, Process, and Find Your Way Forward Life can be complicated. Sometimes you need a space that is just for you—to talk, process, reflect, and figure out what comes next. I’m a licensed therapist in California with more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals and couples through depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, communication struggles, and major life transitions. Therapy can be a place to slow down and make sense of what you’re experiencing—whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, discouraged, or simply unsure of what comes next. Sometimes you need a place outside your usual circle of friends and family where you can be completely honest, talk things through, and gain a fresh perspective without judgment. Together, we can explore relationships, boundaries, communication, emotions, life experiences, and patterns that may be keeping you stuck. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, develop practical tools, and feel more confident moving forward. I also work with couples who want to improve communication, strengthen their connection, work through recurring disagreements, or navigate different parenting styles. The goal isn’t about deciding who is right or wrong—it’s about learning to listen, understand each other, and work together more effectively. My approach is warm, compassionate, practical, and down-to-earth. I’ll meet you where you are and work alongside you as you navigate whatever life is bringing your way. You don’t have to be in crisis or have everything figured out before starting therapy. Sometimes you just need a place to talk. Sometimes you need a fresh perspective. Sometimes you’re ready for a change. Whatever brings you through the door, we can start there. Please note: My practice is not able to provide services for individuals with current or past self-harm, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts.
Your first therapy session is really about getting comfortable and feeling supported. Together, we will identify your challenges and goals - where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. There will always be room for suggestions regarding our work together. 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.
After decades of clinical experience, I bring not only professional knowledge and training to therapy, but also a genuine warmth, openness, and understanding of how complicated life can be. I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside many people through difficult seasons, life transitions, relationship challenges, and times when they simply weren’t feeling like themselves. One of my strengths as a therapist is creating a comfortable, welcoming space where you can be yourself and talk openly without feeling judged. I’m naturally curious about what makes people tick, and I enjoy helping clients make sense of their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and patterns—while also recognizing the strengths they already bring with them. My approach is collaborative, practical, and individualized. I’ll meet you where you are, listen to what you need, and work with you to find approaches that feel helpful and meaningful. Whether you’re looking to feel less overwhelmed, improve your relationships, work through past experiences, or simply understand yourself better, we’ll take it one step at a time. I’m also trained in EMDR and have experience working with trauma and a wide range of life challenges. For those who would like faith to be part of their counseling experience, I offer a Christian perspective. If that’s not what you’re looking for, that’s completely okay, too. I’m comfortable working with people from a variety of faith backgrounds, as well as those who don’t identify with a particular faith. Finding the right therapist is important. You should feel comfortable, understood, and supported in the room. If my approach sounds like a good fit for you, I’d be happy to connect and see where we can go from there.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.