- ACT
- CBT
- Attachment work
About Deborah
Deborah Richardson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Tennessee with 45 years of experience. She works with adults on concerns such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, coping with life changes, ADHD, relationship and family issues, grief, parenting, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.
Deborah uses practical, down-to-earth methods in sessions. She prefers straightforward conversation and simple tools people can use between meetings. Her background spans inpatient and outpatient settings, nursing homes, group homes, prisons, forensic psychiatry, and private practice. That range informs her work with people from many walks of life.
She learned social work after completing a teaching degree and a Master of Social Work from The University of Tennessee. Over the decades she has tried many therapeutic approaches and chooses what helps each person most. She describes using activities such as listening to music, painting emotions, reading, and writing as part of therapy when those methods fit.
Deborah names Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy among the approaches she draws on. She frames therapy around practical steps - filling potholes, building bridges, or mending a broken heart - depending on a person's goals.
She sees people in Tennessee and accepts international clients. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To get started, a short matching questionnaire is completed and a first session is scheduled via the site.
How Deborah blends therapeutic approaches for online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and values and then taking actions that matter. It can help when people feel stuck by worry, depression, or big life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers concrete steps to reduce anxiety and manage mood. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to patterns in relationships and how early connections affect trust and closeness in adult life.Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, history, and preferences, then try methods that suit those needs. Adjustments are made along the way based on what is helpful in practice.
This biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into daily life - for example a shorter check-in during a lunch break, avoiding travel time, or using audio-only when bandwidth is limited. Licensed professionals can use a mix of conversation and practical exercises adapted to remote sessions, such as guided breathing, structured worksheets, or brief at-home activities to practice between meetings. These practical elements aim to help people manage stress, relationship challenges in blended households, grief, and mood concerns while keeping therapy feasible with everyday schedules.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
45+ years
Listed in
Tennessee
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, coping with life changes, ADHD, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting issues, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is straightforward and conversational, using practical tools and activities like writing, music, or simple exercises when they fit a person's needs.
What is her professional background?
She has 45 years of experience across inpatient and outpatient settings, nursing homes, group homes, prisons, forensic psychiatry, and private practice.
Does she have a credential and where is she located?
She is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in Tennessee and practices with that credential.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she does accept international clients.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in this biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.