Debbie Smith

Welcome!

Starting therapy is often the hardest step, and Debbie understands the courage it takes to reach out for help. She offers a warm and compassionate space where clients can feel truly seen, heard, and supported. Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, stress, life transitions, or family challenges, Debbie creates a safe environment that invites openness and healing. Her goal is to help clients reconnect with their strengths and discover new ways of approaching life’s difficulties.

Debbie believes therapy is not about changing who you are but about creating space to rediscover resilience and clarity. Clients who work with her often share that they feel validated and encouraged to move forward with greater self-awareness. Whether working with adolescents, parents, or adults seeking support, Debbie walks alongside each person in a way that feels collaborative and empowering.

How Debbie Can Support You

Debbie works with clients of all ages who are navigating life’s pressures, whether that’s managing the stress of school, coping with social challenges, balancing family dynamics, or moving through periods of transition. With her extensive background in education, Debbie brings a deep understanding of the challenges young people face in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure culture. She is passionate about supporting adolescents as they build confidence, manage emotions, and strengthen relationships with others.

Beyond her work with youth, Debbie also supports parents, caregivers, and adults who are carrying stress, self-doubt, or feelings of being overwhelmed. She helps clients identify patterns of thought and behavior that may be keeping them stuck and works collaboratively to develop healthier perspectives and coping skills. Whether someone is seeking tools for emotional regulation, support in navigating family relationships, or simply a space to process, Debbie provides grounded, compassionate guidance.

Influences:Carol Gilligan, Aliza Pressman, Bessel van der Kolk, Francine Shapiro, David Epston

Debbie’s Approach

Debbie’s therapeutic style is rooted in warmth, empathy, and collaboration. She believes that healing happens when clients feel safe enough to explore their inner world, and she approaches each session with compassion and curiosity. Her process often includes helping clients notice patterns—whether in thoughts, behaviors, or relationships—that may be holding them back. By gently bringing awareness to these areas, Debbie supports clients in creating meaningful change.

She combines her background in education with her therapeutic training to offer an approach that is both insightful and practical. Adolescents and adults alike benefit from her ability to connect deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and guide them toward greater clarity. Debbie’s goal is not to “fix” but to walk alongside clients as they discover their own capacity for resilience and growth. This approach empowers clients to build confidence, self-understanding, and stronger relationships, both with themselves and with others.

Rituals: ocean swimming, meditation, downward dog, time in nature, gratitude, kayaking

Why Work With Debbie?

Clients choose to work with Debbie because of her approachable and genuine presence. She offers a therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, and authenticity. Debbie understands that each person’s story is unique, which is why she tailors her approach to fit the individual needs of her clients. She provides therapy that is not only supportive but also practical—helping people find strategies they can use in daily life to feel more balanced and empowered.

Her background as both an educator and a parent gives her unique insight into the challenges of modern life, from the pressures of social media to the stress of achievement culture. Debbie’s perspective helps clients feel understood at a deeper level, and her calm, steady demeanor creates a sense of safety for exploring even the most difficult emotions. For many, working with Debbie is the first time they have felt truly listened to without judgment.

Library: My Grandmother's Hands (Resmaa Menakem); The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle); The Body Keeps the Score (Bessel van der Kolk); No Bad Parts (Richard Schwartz); Atlas of the Heart (Brene Brown); Attached (Levine and Heller); What Happened to You? (Perry and Winfrey); When Things Fall Apart (Pema Chodron);Braiding Sweetgrass (RobinKimmerer), Between the World and Me (Ta-Nehisi Coates),

About Debbie Smith

Debbie is a therapist with a passion for supporting mental health across all stages of life. As a parent of three adult children, she understands the complexities of raising a family and the challenges that can arise along the way. Her professional background in education has given her a unique perspective on the needs of adolescents and young adults, while her personal experience allows her to connect with parents and caregivers in a relatable, grounded way.

In her work, Debbie blends her compassionate nature with practical tools to help clients move forward with greater ease. She is especially committed to supporting youth mental health, helping young people build resilience in a culture shaped by constant change and external pressures. At the same time, she works with adults who are navigating their own growth, transitions, and challenges. Above all, Debbie is dedicated to creating a therapeutic relationship that empowers her clients to find healing, clarity, and hope.

Preview Other Therapists ➝