About
- Stress and anxiety
- Parenting strain
- Emotion regulation
About Debra
Debra Thurman is a Montana LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) with 25 years of clinical experience. She prefers to work with adults and regularly sees people dealing with stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, depression, parenting strain, and life changes. Her work also includes concerns such as trauma and abuse, sleep problems, bipolar mood concerns, and LGBT issues.
Her approach is practical and conversational. She uses methods drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and client-centered work. Sessions focus on concrete skills to manage strong emotions, shift unhelpful thoughts, and improve day-to-day functioning.
Debra often helps people address long-standing family patterns and parent-related stress. She also supports adults coping with caregiving demands, chronic illness, grief, or transitions such as separation and divorce. She has experience with a wide age range but prefers adult clients.
In sessions she typically listens for what is getting in the way of practical change, then tests small, doable strategies. That might mean skill-building for emotion regulation, practicing new ways of communicating, or experimenting with values-based choices. The tone is straightforward and focused on what can be tried between meetings.
Sessions are conducted in English and she does not work with international clients. Cost varies by location and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, a prospective client completes a short matching questionnaire and schedules a first session through the online options.
How sessions work
How her approaches are used in online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that matter to them. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and life transitions by focusing on values and small, practical steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches skills to change patterns that keep problems going; it is helpful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and anger. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on emotions and how they shape connections; it can help people recognize and work with strong feelings that affect relationships and parenting.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, test methods, and adjust based on what helps. Decisions about techniques are made together, with the aim of trying things that fit the client's everyday life.
Session format options are not specified in the biography, so confirm available formats before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy routine, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. The therapist uses evidence-based methods adapted to remote sessions, and she will discuss which tools and homework best suit each person during the initial planning conversation.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Montana
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, parenting strain, trauma and related family issues among adults.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Sessions are practical and conversational, using concrete skills from ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, and client-centered methods to address immediate problems.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Where is she licensed and what is her credential?
She is licensed in Montana and holds the credential MT LCSW.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English only and she does not accept international clients.
What session formats does she offer?
Please confirm current session format options before booking, as formats are not specified in the profile.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapy is provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your 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.