Deborah Parris
Hi there, I’m Deborah! If you are feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or unsure about how to move forward, you do not have to navigate those challenges alone. I have more than 28 years of experience helping adults and adolescents work through anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and everyday stress. I believe therapy should feel supportive and useful. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative, and I tailor our work to your individual needs. Together, we can look at patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build healthier ways of coping, strengthen your confidence, and identify practical steps toward the changes you want to make. I use approaches that can help you better understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. I also incorporate mindfulness, emotional support, and practical strategies based on your needs and goals. My hope is that you leave sessions feeling heard and understood, while also gaining tools you can use in your everyday life. In Our First Session Together Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, so our first session is focused on helping you feel comfortable and getting to know one another. We will talk about what brought you to therapy, what you would like to change, and any concerns or questions you may have. You are welcome to share at a pace that feels right for you. There is no expectation that you tell me everything during our first meeting. We can begin identifying your goals and discuss an approach that fits your needs. You will also have time to ask questions and decide whether we feel like a good fit for working together.
First session
Starting therapy can be overwhelming, and that is completely normal. The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. We'll discuss what brings you to therapy, your goals, and any concerns you may have. My goal is for you to feel comfortable, heard, supported, and hopeful about moving forward. We will begin identifying goals and discuss a treatment approach that fits your individual needs. You are welcome to share at a pace that feels comfortable—there is no expectation that you disclose everything during the first meeting. My goal is to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and understood. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and decide whether we are a good fit for working together.
Strengths
The Biggest Strengths I Bring I bring warmth, compassion, patience, and more than 28 years of experience to my work with clients. One of my greatest strengths is creating a space where you can feel heard, respected, and comfortable being yourself. I listen closely and recognize that each person’s experiences and needs are different. My style balances emotional support with practical guidance. I can help you better understand what you are experiencing while also building coping skills you can use in daily life. I believe you already have strengths to build on, and we can work together to use those strengths to create meaningful change. The Clients I’m Best Positioned to Serve I work well with adults and adolescents who may feel overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or uncertain about their next steps. You may be dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, the effects of painful past experiences, a major life change, or everyday stress. You may be looking for a therapist who will listen without judgment while also helping you better understand your thoughts and emotions and find practical ways to move forward. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We can begin where you are, build on your strengths, develop healthier coping skills, and work toward greater confidence and emotional well-being. Treatment Method: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy I use cognitive behavioral therapy to help you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and actions can affect one another. Together, we can identify patterns that may contribute to anxiety, depression, low confidence, relationship difficulties, or feeling stuck. Rather than simply telling you to “think positively,” I help you look at whether certain thoughts are accurate or helpful and explore more balanced ways of viewing difficult situations. Depending on your needs, we may work on problem-solving, coping skills, goal setting, changing unhelpful habits, or gradually becoming more comfortable with situations you have been avoiding. My approach is flexible and focused on giving you practical tools you can use outside of therapy. Treatment Method: Supportive Therapy I use supportive therapy to give you a compassionate and nonjudgmental space to talk openly about what you are experiencing. I listen carefully, acknowledge your emotions, and help you feel supported as you work through difficult situations. During our sessions, we may identify strengths and resources you already have, look at challenges from a new perspective, and develop practical ways to cope and solve problems. I may also offer encouragement, information, gentle feedback, and guidance while respecting your choices and your readiness for change. My goal is to help you build confidence, feel more emotionally steady, and manage challenges in ways that work for you.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who may feel overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. They may be experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, the effects of past experiences, or a challenging life transition. They are looking for a therapist who will listen without judgment, help them better understand their thoughts and emotions, and offer practical strategies for creating change. They do not need to have everything figured out—they simply need to be willing to begin. Together, we will build on their strengths, develop healthier coping skills, and work toward greater confidence, emotional well-being, and a more fulfilling life.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we identify patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, low self-confidence, relationship difficulties, or feeling emotionally stuck. I help clients examine whether their thoughts are accurate and helpful, consider more balanced perspectives, and develop healthier ways of responding to difficult situations. Depending on the client’s needs, we may use thought-challenging exercises, behavioral activation, problem-solving, coping strategies, goal setting, or gradual practice with feared situations. My use of CBT is collaborative and flexible. I do not simply tell clients to “think positively.” Instead, I help them understand their experiences, build on their strengths, and develop practical tools they can use in everyday life.
Supportive
I use supportive therapy to provide clients with a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space to discuss their experiences. I listen carefully, validate their emotions, and help them feel less alone in what they are facing. During sessions, I help clients recognize their strengths, identify existing resources, gain perspective, and develop practical coping and problem-solving skills. I may offer encouragement, psychoeducation, gentle feedback, and guidance while respecting each client’s choices and readiness for change. My goal is to strengthen confidence, emotional stability, and the client’s ability to manage challenges more effectively.
Location
Virtual sessions