Therapist profile
Debra Sarno, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Family and parenting concerns
Continue with DebraAbout
- Client-centered methods
- Cognitive behavioral techniques
- Mindfulness and hypnotherapy
About Debra
Debra Sarno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New York with 30 years of experience helping adults manage stress, anxiety, grief, parenting concerns, and relationship and family issues. She lists a wide range of focus areas including mood and personality disorders, trauma and abuse, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and workplace or career concerns.
She uses client-centered methods alongside cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused strategies. Mindfulness practices and hypnotherapy are also part of her approach. Sessions are collaborative and practical; she and the client set goals and work toward them step by step.
Debra has worked in clinics, hospitals, and schools, and she also holds a school social work credential. That experience informs how she talks about family dynamics and parenting stress with adults. She aims to help people organize problems into manageable steps and find realistic ways to cope.
Her background includes training at Columbia University School of Social Work and additional study with the New York Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. These experiences contributed to the techniques she uses but do not define any single outcome.
People who come for help often want concrete tools for handling strong emotions, communication problems, or life transitions. Debra combines practical skill-building with conversational support so that clients can try new approaches between sessions.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and on the client's priorities. It helps when someone needs space to talk and to set personal goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at practical links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it is often useful for anxiety, depression, and managing stress. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. The therapist will work with the client to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. Sessions involve trying methods, reviewing how they worked, and adjusting the plan together. Session logistics should be confirmed before booking, since formats are not specified here. When arranged, online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people attend without traveling. Talk with the therapist about how to make sessions practical for your routine and which approaches to focus on so therapy fits into everyday life.Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with adults on stress, anxiety, grief, parenting issues, relationship and family concerns, mood and personality disorders, trauma, and related topics.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and practical, using cognitive behavioral and solution-focused techniques alongside mindfulness and hypnotherapy as appropriate.
How much experience does she have?
She has 30 years of clinical experience across clinics, hospitals, and schools.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New York and practices from New York.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can I work with her from another country?
She does not accept international clients.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to start?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.