Deborah Ridgeway, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Deborah Ridgeway

Deborah Ridgeway

(she/her)

LCSW
17 years of experience
Virtual

I am a clinical social worker bringing a lifetime of experience to my work, helping clients to identify what's working and what's not; what is going well, and what they would like to change. I am a creative problem solver and excel at helping people get unstuck! I use my experience as a teacher, a human services professional, a small business owner and a clinical social worker to inform my practice and support client growth. I am eclectic in my approach, most often using cognitive behavioral therapy, brief therapy and positive psychology-- however I draw from other approaches and theories to meet the needs of the client. I am trained in trauma-focused CBT, substance abuse treatment and recovery, work with grief and loss, women's issues and strengths-based therapy. I identify as a long-time member of the LGBTQ community and am constantly striving to become more culturally sensitive and aware. I work with persons across the lifespan: ages preschool through seniors. I bring my sense of humor, ability to adapt and switch gears, and my huge heart and compassion to the work that I do!

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Clients can expect to feel a sense of direction after meeting with me, and an idea of what next steps will be. I work to provide immediate relief through teaching skills of mindfulness, an improved daily routine and self-care or other resources-- while also providing a context for working on longer term concerns and problems. I generally provide homework in the form of recommending mindfulness practice, a habit tracker to support daily routine, a reading assignment or worksheets to help the client think through and process feelings and actions.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My biggest strengths are my ability to hold hope and the possibility of change for persons I work with, and my sense of flexibility and problem-solving abilities.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

LGBTQ adolescents young adults seniors stage of life changes persons with depression and anxiety

About Deborah Ridgeway

Deborah Ridgeway offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

CBT has been evidence-based practice for anxiety and depression since the early 1990s. It is effective and works very quickly to improve anxiety and depression.